02.03 / Topic 03 of 11
Roads & Driving
Speed, phones, drink, and the Highway Code's pecking order.
Most driving law comes from the Road Traffic Act 1988 and regulations under it. The Highway Code explains the rules: its 'must' rules are law, 'should' rules can be used as evidence.
- 14
- Essential laws
- 04
- Chapters
- 06
- Weird ones
- 02
- Busted myths
AT A GLANCE · 06 KEY NUMBERS
- 6POINTSin your first 2 years = licence revokedPenalty points & new drivers →
- 20METRESto read a number plateThe eyesight rule →
- 6POINTSplus a £200 fine for holding a phoneMobile phones →
- 135CMor age 12: when a child seat is no longer neededSeat belts & child seats →
- 35µg / 100ml BREATHthe limit in England & WalesDrink driving →
- 24HOURSat most to report to the policeIf you have a crash →
CHAPTER A · 03 LAWS
Your licence
Learning, passing and keeping the right to drive.
Learner drivers
You can drive a car on a provisional licence from 17, with L plates and a qualified supervisor.
What it means for youYour supervisor must be 21 or over and have held a full licence for 3 years. The car must be insured for you.
In practice
- Your supervisor must be at least 21 and have held a full licence for 3 years.
- Learners can take motorway lessons, but only with an approved instructor in a dual-control car.
- The car must be insured for you to drive it.
Penalty points & new drivers
New drivers lose their licence if they get 6 or more points within 2 years of passing their test.
What it means for youA single phone offence (6 points) in your first 2 years means losing your licence and re-taking both tests.
In practice
- They then need a new provisional licence and must pass both tests again.
- For everyone else, 12 points within 3 years usually means at least a 6-month ban.
- Points stay on your record for 4 or 11 years depending on the offence.
The eyesight rule
You must be able to read a car number plate from 20 metres away, using glasses or contact lenses if you need them.
What it means for youCheck you can read a number plate at 20 metres (about 5 car lengths). Wear your glasses if you need them.
In practice
- Police can test you at the roadside and revoke your licence.
- You must tell the DVLA about medical conditions that affect driving.
- Driving with uncorrected bad eyesight can be prosecuted.
CHAPTER B · 04 LAWS
Rules of the road
The rules that catch most drivers out.
Speed limits
Cars: 30mph in built-up areas with street lights in England, 60mph on single carriageways, 70mph on dual carriageways and motorways.
What it means for youStreet lights usually mean 30mph unless signs say otherwise. In Wales most of these roads are now 20mph.
In practice
- Wales made 20mph the default on most restricted (street-lit) roads from September 2023.
- Speeding: minimum 3 penalty points and a fine; 12 points in 3 years usually means a ban.
- Vans, towing and HGVs have lower limits.
Mobile phones
It's illegal to hold and use a phone or sat nav while driving, including at traffic lights or in a queue.
What it means for youFix the phone in a holder before you set off and use it hands-free only. Even touching it at lights is illegal.
In practice
- 6 penalty points and a £200 fine.
- New drivers (within 2 years of passing) lose their licence at 6 points.
- Hands-free is allowed, but you can still be charged if you're not in control.
Seat belts & child seats
Everyone must wear a seat belt if one is fitted. Children need a child car seat until they're 12 or 135cm tall.
What it means for youThe driver is responsible for passengers under 14 wearing seat belts. Fines go up to £500.
In practice
- Drivers can be fined up to £500 for not wearing one.
- The driver is responsible for passengers under 14.
- Never fit a rear-facing baby seat in front of an active airbag.
Highway Code 'hierarchy of road users'
Those who can do the greatest harm (lorry and car drivers) have the greatest responsibility to look out for others.
What it means for youAt junctions, give way to people crossing the road you're turning into. Leave 1.5m when passing cyclists.
In practice
- Drivers should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a side road you're turning into.
- Leave at least 1.5m when overtaking cyclists at up to 30mph.
- The 'Dutch reach' is suggested for opening car doors.
CHAPTER C · 03 LAWS
Driving offences
Drink, drugs, bad driving and what to do after a crash.
Drink driving
The limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (35µg per 100ml of breath). Scotland's is lower.
What it means for youThere's no safe rule of thumb. If you drink, don't drive, including the next morning.
In practice
- Minimum 12-month driving ban, unlimited fine, up to 6 months in prison.
- Being 'in charge' of a vehicle while over the limit is an offence even if you're not driving.
- Drug driving has its own limits for 17 drugs, including some prescription medicines.
Careless & dangerous driving
Careless driving falls below the standard of a competent driver; dangerous driving falls far below it.
What it means for youTailgating, using a phone or racing can count as dangerous driving, which can lead to a driving ban and prison.
In practice
- Careless driving: an unlimited fine, 3 to 9 points and a possible ban.
- Dangerous driving: up to 2 years in prison and a compulsory ban.
- Causing death by dangerous driving can carry life imprisonment (since 2022).
If you have a crash
If you're involved in a collision you must stop, and give your details to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask.
What it means for youStop, swap names, addresses and registration, photograph everything, and report to the police within 24 hours if you couldn't swap details.
In practice
- This applies if anyone is hurt, or a vehicle, property or certain animals are damaged.
- If you can't exchange details, report it to the police as soon as possible and within 24 hours.
- Failing to stop or report can mean points, a fine or even prison.
CHAPTER D · 04 LAWS
Vehicles, bikes & parking
Paperwork, parking tickets, bikes and e-scooters.
Insurance, tax & MOT
Every car used on a road must be insured. Most vehicles over 3 years old need a yearly MOT.
What it means for youCheck your MOT due date and tax online on GOV.UK. Driving uninsured can mean 6–8 points and your car seized.
In practice
- No insurance: 6–8 points and an unlimited fine; police can seize the car.
- Seatbelts are compulsory (front since 1983, rear since 1991). The driver is responsible for under-14s.
- Privately owned e-scooters still can't legally be used on public roads or pavements; only rental trial schemes are allowed.
Parking tickets
Council tickets are penalties; private car park 'tickets' are invoices for breaking a contract. Both can be appealed.
What it means for youAppeal council tickets within 14 days (it may keep the discount). Private tickets have their own independent appeals service.
In practice
- Council Penalty Charge Notices go to an independent tribunal if your first challenge fails.
- Private Parking Charge Notices can be appealed to the operator, then an independent appeals service.
- Ignoring either can lead to court action, so don't just bin them.
Cycling rules
Cyclists must follow traffic signals and road signs, and use lights after dark. Helmets are not a legal requirement.
What it means for youUse front and rear lights after dark. Riding on the pavement can get you a fixed penalty.
In practice
- After dark you need a white front light, a red rear light and a red rear reflector.
- Cycling on the pavement is an offence unless it's marked as shared.
- Riding dangerously or carelessly is an offence too.
E-scooters
Privately owned e-scooters are illegal on public roads, pavements and cycle lanes. Only official rental schemes are allowed.
What it means for youRiding your own e-scooter in public can mean a fine, 6 points on your licence and the scooter being seized.
In practice
- You can ride a private e-scooter only on private land, with the owner's permission.
- Rental e-scooters still need a full or provisional driving licence.
- Riding illegally can mean a fine, penalty points and the scooter being seized.
NOTES
Did you know?
NOTE 01In 1865 the 'Red Flag Act' made self-propelled vehicles have a person walk ahead waving a red flag, with a 2mph limit in towns.
NOTE 02The UK's first speeding conviction was in 1896: Walter Arnold, doing 8mph in a 2mph zone.
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