20 UK driving offences you didn’t know about…

While there are the obvious driving laws the vast majority of us abide by (stick to the speed limits, don’t cause an obstruction when parking, make sure you indicate etc), there are a number of lesser-known rules that you may not be aware of.

You could end up with points on your licence or substantial penalties if you break the following 20 rules, even though it may have been completely unintentional. Read through our list and take note to avoid getting into trouble.

1. Swearing at another driver or making rude hand gestures

Potential penalty: Up to £1,000 fine or 3 points

It’s important to stay calm when driving. Even the shortest outburst of road rage – including swearing or giving another driver a rude hand gesture – falls under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

2. Splashing pedestrians on purpose

Potential penalty: From £100 up to £5,000 fine and 3 points on your licence

We all know how tough torrential weather is to drive in, but you have to be aware of your surroundings. Careless and inconsiderate driving is an offence with potentially hefty penalties – and deliberately splashing someone walking on the pavement is an offence that falls under this.

3. Warning other drivers of speed cameras

Potential penalty: Up to £1,000 fine

Although many drivers believe they’re doing other road users a favour when they flash their headlights to warn of upcoming speed cameras, this is actually against the Highway Code. Rule 110 says you should ‘Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users’.

4. Letting your dog pop their head out of the window

Potential penalty: Up to £1,000 fine (potentially £5,000 in an accident) and 9 points

Although dogs absolutely love getting a bit of fresh air while driving and there is no direct law stating they can’t stick their heads out of a window, there are some reasons to avoid letting them do this. First, they could be hit by flying debris and second, you could face a fine of up to £1,000 as they could be classed as causing a distraction. This could increase to £5,000 if the animal is found to have caused or contributed to an accident.

5. Letting an animal out of the car while stopped on the hard shoulder

Potential penalty: Up to £1,000 fine (potentially £5,000 in an accident) and 9 points

If you break down on the hard shoulder, you must leave any animals in the car – for your, theirs and other road users’ safety. The Highway Code states that pets should be harnessed or kept in a pet carrier when driving for both safety and to prevent distraction. If stopped on a hard shoulder, they should only be let out in an emergency.

6. Paying for a takeaway drive-through meal with your phone

Potential penalty: £200 fine and 6 points

You shouldn’t use your mobile phone at any point while you’re driving. This includes when your car is stationary. The only time you should use your phone is when the engine is off and the handbrake is on. Maybe think about doing this to use a mobile pay system at the counter…

7. Sleeping in a car while drunk

Potential penalty: Up to £2,500 fine and 10 points

If you fall asleep in the car after having a few too many drinks, you could be classed as being in charge of a vehicle while intoxicated. We all know how dangerous drink driving can be, so if you’ve had a few too many, it’s best to get a lift in a sober friend’s car or get them temporary car insurance to drive you home in yours.

8. Playing loud music

Potential penalty: £100 fine and 3 points

Everyone loves playing their favourite band’s songs loud, especially if en route to seeing them in concert. This can be deemed as a distraction and be classed as excessive noise that causes you to lose concentration.

9. Parking the wrong way at night

Potential penalty: Up to £1,000 fine, potentially rising to £2,500

The Highway Code states: ‘You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space.’ This is because a car’s rear reflectors make it visible to other drivers.

10. Failure to disclose medical conditions

Potential penalty: Up to £1,000 fine

It’s illegal if you don’t tell the DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You could be prosecuted if there’s an accident.

11. Making a profit while giving a lift

Potential penalty: Up to £2,500 fine and insurance invalidation

The UK has a number of strict laws around taxi services. As such, you can accept petrol money from someone if you give them a lift but can’t take any more money than that. If you do, you could end up with a huge fine, a possible 6 points on your licence or even having your vehicle seized.

12. Overtaking at a pedestrian crossing

Potential penalty: At least a £100 fine and 3 points

Obviously, you should never overtake in an area with ‘no overtaking’ signs. You also shouldn’t overtake when a road has a single solid down its middle or a double white line with a solid line nearest you.

13. Beeping your horn too aggressively

Potential penalty: Up to £1,000 fine

Rule 112 of the Highway Code states: ‘Never sound your horn aggressively. You must not use your horn while stationary on the road, or when driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30pm and 7am, except when another road user poses a danger’. Essentially, unless you’re in imminent danger, you shouldn’t be using your horn. This includes if you’re stuck in gridlocked traffic.

14. Having a registration plate that isn’t clean and visible

Potential penalty: Up to £1,000 fine

It is a legal requirement to keep your car number plate clean and visible. It needs to be able to be identified by the police and APR cameras so remove any dirt, mud or other obstructions asap.

15. Wearing inappropriate footwear

Potential penalty: Up to £2,500 and 3 to 9 points

Is it illegal to drive barefoot or in sandals? Technically, no, but the Highway Code (Rule 97) does confirm you should ensure your ‘clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner’. Wearing footwear that doesn’t let you operate the controls of the car correctly could lead to a driving without due care and attention charge.

16. Overloading your car

Potential penalty: £100 to £300 fine, depending on level of excess weight

Overloading your car can affect how your vehicle works, including the handling, and put you and your passengers at risk. You can easily overload your vehicle so watch out for issues with braking, tyres and your suspension system sagging. You could get:

• A £100 fixed penalty fine if your car is less than 10% overloaded.
• £200 if between 10 and 14% overloaded.
• £300 for 15% overloaded, plus 3 points on your licence.

17. Littering from your car

Potential penalty: Up to £150 fine

We hope you will take your rubbish home with you and not throw it out the car window. If you or your passengers are tempted to throw something out, be aware that the registered keeper of the vehicle – not necessarily the person who threw the litter – could face an on-the-spot fine of up to £150.

18. Driving in sunglasses at night

Potential penalty: Up to £5,000 fine

Although you may look cool, driving in sunglasses might not be the best idea. While wearing sunglasses in the day to protect from glare is encouraged, the eyewear could affect your vision at night. If you’re involved in a collision where your glasses are considered to be a contributing factor, you could be subject to a dangerous driving charge.

If you have Category 0 sunglasses with 80-100% light transmission, then it is legal to drive in them at any time.

Categories 1-3 are safe for day driving.

Category 4 sunglasses are not legal to drive in at any point.

19. Hanging an air freshener that blocks your vision

Potential penalty: Up to £1,000 fine or 3 points

Under the Road Vehicles Regulations 1986, drivers need to have a full view of the road and traffic ahead of them . This means air fresheners dangling from your rear-view mirror could obstruct your view and land you a significant fine. They can also cause a car to fail its MOT. Maybe it’s worth looking at an alternative?

20. Driving significantly under the speed limit

Potential penalty: £100 fine and 3 points

We all know how important it is to abide by the speed limit but did you know that you shouldn’t be driving too cautiously? If you’re driving too slowly, you can be pulled over and cautioned with driving without due care and attention. This is because you could cause a risk to other drivers and increase the possibility of accidents. A worst-case scenario would be a £5,000 fine with 9 penalty points.

Whether you’re driving your own car or getting temporary car insurance to drive somebody else’s, you’ll be able to hit the road safely and share some tidbits with your passengers about the driving laws they never knew.