“Staycationing” this summer? The key points you need to know about driving in the UK

With the latest heatwave being enjoyed across the country, “Staycations” are continuing to be a safe bet for families wishing to unwind here in the UK. Holidaying in the UK also has the added bonus of avoiding spending your day at the airport security!

In addition to offering way more flexibility and freedom, a UK road trip holiday does involve some important responsibilities we have outlined to help you stay out of trouble when driving in the UK.

In order to drive in the UK you will need to:

• be at least 17 years of age;
• have a valid driving licence. If you have a foreign licence, you can drive any type of small vehicle listed on your licence for 12 months from when you last entered the UK. If you passed your test in the EU or EEA, there will be no time restriction but you will need to carry your proof of insurance with you;
• have a motor insurance policy. Third party insurance is the legal minimum. While a fully comprehensive insurance offers a greater protection as it covers damage to the car and the driver other than providing compensation to a third party, it doesn’t automatically entitle you to drive any car. You can only drive a third party’s car if your insurance policy contains the ‘driving other cars’ clause;
• Have a valid MOT certificate if the vehicle is more than three years’ old.

With the recent clarification to the mobile phone laws that came into effect on 25^th March 2022, it is now an offence to hold any device that can send or receive data, while driving or riding a motorcycle. These rules apply also when you are, for example, at the traffic lights or queuing in traffic. In other words, you must not text, make calls, take photos or videos, or browse the web unless you have safely parked your car.

You can only hold your phone to call the emergency services, to make a contactless payment (i.e. at a drive through restaurant) or to park remotely. In all other situations, you can only use devices with hands-free access (i.e. dashboard holder, Bluetooth headset, windscreen mount).

If you don’t follow the rules above, you could:

• get a fixed penalty of 6 penalty points + £200 fine; or
• be taken to court, face 6 points or a ban from driving and get up to £1000 fine.

Be sure not to block your view of the road and traffic ahead with your handsfree equipment. You must ensure you stay in full control of your vehicle, if you’re distracted, it could lead to a prosecution of not being in proper control of your vehicle and that offences carries 3 penalty points and a fine.

If travelling with a roof box or cycle rack it is really important to check the capacity of your car roof and ensure that everything has been fitted according to the law to avoid heavy fines.

The Highway Code provides that weights must be securely fitted to the vehicle and must not stick out dangerously. It is, therefore, essential to comply with the following simple steps:

• Check the maximum permitted rooftop load in your vehicle’s handbook;
• Attach everything securely as to hold the front of the load down and prevent the airflow from moving anything;
• Ropes and straps can loosen so check them regularly;
• Ensure the roof rack is proportional to the dimensions of the vehicle and it doesn’t hinder your vision or impact other drivers; and
• Take out a supplementary insurance policy to cover any additional load.

If you have a caravan or trailer in tow, you must keep in mind the following rules:

• You are automatically restricted to a maximum speed of 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways and motorways (unless there is a lower speed limit)
• If you passed your car driving test before 1 January 1997, you’re allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg
• If you passed your car driving test from 1 January 1997, you’re allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg
• Most cars have a maximum weight they can tow listed in the handbook, the specification sheet or the vehicle identification number plate on the car
• The maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres
• The maximum length for a trailer is 7 metres
• You must insure your vehicle accordingly to cover the caravan/ trailer
• The tow bar must meet the standards set in the European Union 94/20 directive and it must have a label with an approval number and the details of the vehicles it’s been approved for
• You must fit towing mirrors if the caravan/ trailer is wider than the rear of your car
• You must display the same number plate on your trailer as on your towing car

If you’re travelling with children under 135cm of height or 12 years of age, you need to ensure you have an appropriate car seat to carry them. The car seat can be height or weight based and it must be EU approved. It must therefore:

• have a label showing ‘E’ in a circle and ‘R129’ if height based;
• have a label showing ‘E’ in a circle and ‘ECE R44 if weight based;

Height based car seats for children under the age of 15 months must be rear facing (remember to deactivate any front airbags). If you’re unsure about what type of seat to use, you can use this guide: Child Car Seats Choosing & Using

You must also ensure that an appropriate seat belt is used. This is normally a diagonal strap unless the seat is designed for use with a lap seat belt or fitted using ISOFIX anchor points.

Crashes caused by drivers who fall asleep while driving are normally charged with ‘dangerous driving’ which carries a lengthy driving ban, an extended re-test, an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years in prison. Therefore, you need to ensure that you are completely energised and fresh when you start driving, here are some ideas that could help to place you in the best position before embarking on your journey:

• sleep well;
• don’t over eat;
• don’t take medications that are likely to cause tiredness (always check the leaflet to see if you can drive)
• don’t consume any alcohol or drugs.

One of the main benefits of a “staycation” has got to be that you can take your beloved pet away with you!

Whenever you transport your pet by car you just need to make sure they are appropriately restrained so that they don’t distract you or cause any injuries.

The Highway Code makes reference to cages, harnesses, pet carriers and seat belts as ways of restraining animals.

If you drive your car and do not ensure your animal is appropriately restrained, you may face prosecution for a whole host of offences ranging from driving without due care and attention to not being in proper control of your vehicle.