7 rules of the road you might not know about

Tina Playle - Apr 4 2022 3:43PM
7 rules of the road you might not know about img

Learning to drive is all about following the rules of the road down to a T. However, there are some driving laws that you may not have heard about yet. Luckily, we'll run through some of them, so you don't get caught out!

Driving with pets

We all love our furry friends but they must be secure like every other passenger in the car. This is because they can prove to be a big distraction for drivers.

If someone is pulled over and their pet isn't secure, they could find themselves in the dog house with a fine for driving without due care and attention!

Carpool Karaoke

Having a good singalong in the car is one of the best parts of driving! BUT if it takes your attention off the road, you could land a fine or even points on your licence for distracted driving.

This is why we advise switching the radio on during your private practice, so you get used to real life driving! Then you can enjoy it without your driving safety being compromised!

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The Drive-Thru

What's the point of even having a car if you're not going to use drive-thrus?

One thing to be aware of is the laws against using your mobile phone whilst the engine is running. So next time you’re paying for your nuggets at the drive-thru, consider using your card or cash!

Splash by

via GIPHY

If you're a decent human being, you won't have to worry about this one, but we'll let you know anyway - deliberately driving through puddles to splash pedestrians is actually in breach of the Road Traffic Act and can lead to a £100 penalty and 3 points on your licence. We’re also pretty sure it ruins your  karma for the day too!

Driving too slowly

Driving too slowly can be just as dangerous risk as speeding. You'll most likely know this when you're learning to drive, but driving too slowly in built-up areas in towns and cities can cause congestion and potential accidents. It can cause even more damage if you're doing it on motorways and dual carriageways.

If you're found driving too slowly on several occasions, it could lead to a prosecution.

Using your maps on your phone

The use of actual Sat Navs have started to die out since the birth of the smartphone and many of us use ours to help us get from A to B.

The law requires your phone to be fixed appropriately to your car, in a place where it does not obstruct your view of the traffic ahead.

The punishments for not doing the above were updated in March 2017, which saw the fine doubled to £200 alongside the risk of up to six penalty points. So make sure you're not breaking the rules on this one!

Honk if you're... warning other users of your presence...

Beeping your horn is supposed to be used purely for warning other road users of your presence for safety reasons. The Highway Code also states you should avoid using your horn between 11:30pm - 7am in built up areas. Ignoring these rules could land you a fine that ranges from £30 up to £1,000. So just keep that in mind next time you're tempted to honk that horn!


It's always handy to brush up on the rules of the road, both for the theory test, and just for future trips! For more tips on staying safe on the roads, or for regular driving test tips, follow us on social media: InsureLearnerDriver Facebook | InsureLearnerDriver Twitter | InsureLearnerDriver Instagram