Strange Driving Laws
This year marks the 90th anniversary of The Highway Code. Originally published on April 14, 1931, it provides safety advice, information, rules and laws for road users in the UK.
Here are a few of the strangest UK Driving Laws that we found before we bring you the weirdest from around the world –
1. Dirty licence plate
You could get a fine of up to £1,000 and fail your MOT test if your plate is too dirty and ‘unreadable’.
2. Using your phone to pay at a drive-through
Using your phone when behind the wheel is illegal in all cases, unless your engine is off and the handbrake is on. This means that using your mobile to pay for your Happy Meal could end with a £200 fine and six points. (This does lead me to wonder why I have never seen police parked up at every single drive through – surely they would make a killing in fines every day?!)
3. Being rude to other drivers
This offence falls under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and could be given to drivers who show rude hand gestures or curse at other drivers.
4. Splashing pedestrians
If you splash a pedestrian, it would be seen as careless and inconsiderate driving under the Road Traffic Act 1998. You could face a fine of £100 with 3 penalty points, or if taken to court – as much as £5000!
5. Unrestrained pets
The Highway Code states that for the pet’s safety and for your safety to prevent distraction, your pet should be harnessed or kept in a pet carrier when you’re driving. You’re risking a £5,000 fine and 9 points if you’re letting your pet roam free in the car.
6. Honking
In the UK, honking could land you a fine of £1,000. The Highway Code states that drivers should not use their horn “aggressively” or “in stationary traffic” – without reasonable intent.
7. Sleeping in your car after drinking
Even though you’re not driving, and your car isn’t even moving, being inside your car whilst intoxicated could mean 10 penalty points and a hefty fine. It’s still considered as being “in charge of a motor vehicle” according to the Road Traffic Act 1988.
8. Warning others of speed traps
Flashing your lights at another car to warn about a speed trap is considered obstructing a police officer in their duty.
9. Loud music
Excessive volume is covered by both The Highway Code and The Road Vehicles Regulations 1986 directing to avoid distractions, such as loud music, and to not create excessive noise to others.
10. Driving with snow on your car roof
The Highway Code advises removing all snow that might fall off. If you brake harshly, the snow on your roof can easily slip down and block your vision, or distract others, which is why driving with snow on your car roof is illegal and might end up costing you £60 with 3 penalty points.
To be honest, we’ve called them the weirdest UK driving laws, but they all make sense really, don’t they? Now check out these bizarre laws from around the world –
USA: In the Californian city of San Francisco, it’s illegal to dry your car with used underwear, and in Alaska, tying a dog to the roof of your car isn’t allowed. In Alabama, driving your car while wearing a blindfold is banned (surely that’s stating the obvious?!).
Switzerland: Under Swiss law, you are not allowed to wash your car on Sundays (does that include the drive through ones too, we wonder?!)
Germany: The same law is enforced in Germany, but it’s modified so washing cars is allowed on Sundays after midday – so it doesn’t disturb your church-going time. The Germans also have a law that says it’s illegal to stop your car on the Autobahn even if you run out of fuel.
Luxembourg: Here, it’s unlawful to drive without windscreen wipers… but driving without a windscreen is totally fine. Bonkers!
Thailand: Bad news if you like to go topless in hot weather – if you’re driving in Thailand it’s illegal to do so while shirtless. This applies to men and women and all motorists whether they are steering a car, bike or tuk-tuk.
Belarus: Driving a dirty car is banned. The same rule applies in the cities of Moscow and Chelyabinsk in Russia. Maybe this is for the same reason as the dirty number plate law in the UK?
Costa Rica: It’s OK to drink alcohol behind the wheel in Costa Rica… so long as you stop consuming the alcohol beverage before you actually get drunk. Wouldn’t that be too late by then?!
Spain: Motorists in Spain can be fined for wearing flip-flops or washing their vehicles on a public road. Flip flops I understand, but the car washing?
South Africa: If you fail to slow down or stop for critters crossing the road in South Africa, whether it’s a cow or a lion, you’ll be slapped with a hefty fine. No one likes being responsible for roadkill, I get this one.
The Philippines: To avoid heavy traffic in the capital Manila, there’s a bizarre scheme that bans Filipino drivers with certain number plates using main roads on particular days. For example, cars with a number plate ending in a one or two are banned from driving in the centre on Mondays from 7am to 8pm. I call this number-plate-erist.
Cyprus: Motorists in Cyprus are banned from eating or drinking anything at the wheel of their cars, including water. If caught, they face a fine of £75. There is some logic behind this one – can be excused as not paying full attention to the road. Those poor people who have a tickle in their throats!
So you see, we have it pretty easy in the UK, so let’s keep abiding by those (not so crazy) laws!