9 Driving Habits You Didn’t Know Were Illegal

While most UK drivers don’t intentionally plan on breaking the law or hitting the road with the aim of getting points on their license, the fact is that this occurs every single day. Drivers face hefty fines, points, or a loss of license due to unintentional mistakes or bad habits they didn’t know they shouldn’t be doing.

Everyone knows that you lose your licence if you hit the magical number of 12 points, with each point staying on your licence for 3 years from the date they were added (it stays on your record longer spending on the conviction), and if you’re within your first two years of driving, this number is halved. Just six points can lead to your license being revoked.

And everyone also is well aware of the major issues that can get points on your licence, such as no insurance, speeding, driving under the influence, etc. But what about the small habits that, let’s be honest, many drivers do that are actually illegal and, if caught, can land you with a fine or even a criminal conviction? This post looks at some things you might be guilty of and can land you in hot water!

Using Your Phone As A Sat Nav If It’s Not in A Fixed Position

This is something that can catch many motorists out. But if you’re caught using your phone as a sat nav and it is unfixed, i.e. in a holder, then you can be risking a fine as this is classed as using your mobile phone while driving. There is no harm in using your phone for a sat nav, but it needs to be in a hands-free, secure position.

Drivers navigating their journeys this way will fall foul of a recent rule change regarding mobile phone use while driving, and puts you at risk of £100 fine and 6 points on your licence.

Paying with Your Phone At A Drive-Through

This is something that has been in the news a lot recently, and many people are confused as to why this can be classed as a criminal offence. Basically, it is an offence to be in your car with the engine on, ready to drive, and to have hold of your phone. The stricter clampdown aims to tackle the number of incidents involving people using their mobile phones while driving. So, technically, paying for your order with your phone at a drive-through is illegal. This seemingly innocent action can lead to a maximum fine of £1,000 and six points on your licence. If you have been driving for under two years, this means you have lost your licence immediately. To get around this, turn your engine off and put the handbrake on or use your contactless card.

Driving In The Middle Lane Of The Motorway

We’ve encountered the middle lane driver on the motorway, but what actually is so bad about it aside from it being infuriating when driving behind them? The outside two lanes should be used for overtaking only. If you remain in the middle for no reason and don’t move back to the inside lane if it’s clear to do so, you can be charged with careless driving and hit with a fine. The difference between hogging the middle lane and passing moving traffic on the inside lane is remaining in the middle lane due to you driving faster than traffic on the inside lane or because there isn’t a gap for you to get back in and simply idling along with no thought for the rest of the vehicles using the motorway and remaining steadfast in the middle lane even when there is no traffic on the inside lane, or you are going slower than the traffic next to you. Always pull back to the inside lane when it is safe, or you could end up with three points.

Unreadable Number Plate

The fine for an unreadable number plate is £1,000. Unreadable number plates are plates that are excessively dirty so you cannot clearly read the registration number on them or damaged so that some or all of the letters and numbers are obscured or missing. This also goes for adding tape to specific numbers and letters to try to fool ANPR cameras. Always ensure your number plate is clean, and if they are damaged, get replacement number plates to avoid being pulled up and getting a ticket.

Beeping In Anger

Again, this is another habit many people do when irritated at someone else’s poor driving skills. Beeping your horn to inform other road users of your annoyance is illegal. Your horn is there to warn others of your presence, i.e., to avoid an accident or in times of poor visibility so other road users know you are there, not to help you voice your annoyance. If the police witness you using your horn this way, it’s an instant £30 fine.

Not Clearing Windows Before Driving Off

It is the law that you must be able to see out of all the windows before driving. So if there has been adverse weather, make sure all ice or snow has been removed from your windows (and your roof, too, if this is the case, as this is a hazard if it were to slide off while driving) and that all windows and mirrors have been dismissed before commencing your journey. Luckily, there are products you can use to make this task easier if your car doesn’t have features to assist in defrosting or demisting windows; use demister pads, microfiber cloths, windscreen protectors, and deicer products to help you clear your windows before driving off.

Driving Too Slow

Sunday drivers are a curse for people who have somewhere to be, but there will always be those drivers who like to take their time on the road and aren’t in a rush to get anywhere. But what is classed as too slow? On a motorway, if it is clear or there is a normal flow of traffic with no restrictions, if you are driving 30 mph or below, then you’ll likely be pulled over if you’re caught or if your driving is causing a hazard at low speeds; but while there is no legal lower limit anything below 45 mph is considered too slow and a nuisance to other drivers. Driving at low speeds on a motorway can cause accidents, as drivers travelling at higher speeds will need to slam on their brakes or swerve to avoid colliding with you.

Leaving Your Child In The Car Alone

Most parents wouldn’t dream of leaving youngsters in the car alone, but what about those times when you can’t help it? Like when you’re filling up at the petrol station? Do you unbuckle your child even if it’s raining or really cold, or leave them in their car seat? The law actually says it’s illegal to leave young children in the car alone, even for a short while, if it’s likely to cause them harm or distress. Even paying for your petrol. Luckily, these days, many stations are set up so you can pay at the pump, but for those facing this dilemma, it’s good to know where you stand regarding the law so you can make an informed decision on the best course of action. Ideally, you would fill up without your child with you, but this, as we know, isn’t always possible.

Sleeping in Your Car When Drunk

If you’ve gone out in your car and found you’ve had a few too many drinks and plan to sleep it off in the car, think again. It is illegal to be in charge of a motor vehicle when inebriated, and some police forces have been known to class sleeping in your car, even if the keys aren’t in the engine, as being in charge of a vehicle. This can land you in court with a fine and potentially, depending on your alcohol limit, lead to losing your licence. So if you’re drinking, leave the car at home.

We’ve all been guilty of bad habits from time to time when driving, but did you know doing any of these things can land you a fine or points on your licence?