The Highway Code rules for drivers and motorcyclists, including vehicle condition, fitness to drive, alcohol and drugs, what to do before setting off, vehicle towing and loading and seat belts and child restraints.
Vehicle condition. You MUST ensure your vehicle and trailer comply with the full requirements of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations and Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (see ‘The road user and the law’).
Make sure that you are fit to drive. You MUST report to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) any health condition likely to affect your driving.
Law RTA 1988 sect 94
Driving when you are tired greatly increases your risk of collision. To minimise this risk
Vision. You MUST be able to read a vehicle number plate, in good daylight, from a distance of 20 metres (or 20.5 metres where the old style number plate is used). If you need to wear glasses (or contact lenses) to do this, you MUSTwear them at all times while driving. The police have the power to require a driver to undertake an eyesight test.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 96, & MV(DL)R reg 40 & sched 8
Slow down, and if necessary stop, if you are dazzled by bright sunlight.
At night or in poor visibility, do not use tinted glasses, lenses or visors if they restrict your vision.
Do not drink and drive as it will seriously affect your judgement and abilities.
In England and Wales you MUST NOT drive with a breath alcohol level higher than 35 microgrammes/100 millilitres of breath or a blood alcohol level of more than 80 milligrammes/100 millilitres of blood.
In Scotland the legal limits are lower. You MUST NOT drive with a breath alcohol level higher than 22 microgrammes/100 millilitres of breath or a blood alcohol level of more than 50 milligrammes/100 millilitres of blood.
Alcohol will
The best solution is not to drink at all when planning to drive because any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive safely. If you are going to drink, arrange another means of transport.
Laws RTA 1988 sects 4, 5 & 11(2), & PLSR
You MUST NOT drive under the influence of drugs or medicine. For medicines, check with your doctor or pharmacist and do not drive if you are advised that you may be impaired.
You MUST NOT drive if you have illegal drugs or certain medicines in your blood above specified limits. It is highly dangerous so never take illegal drugs if you intend to drive; the effects are unpredictable, but can be even more severe than alcohol and result in fatal or serious road crashes. Illegal drugs have been specified at very low levels so even small amounts of use could be above the specified limits. The limits for certain medicines have been specified at higher levels, above the levels generally found in the blood of patients who have taken normal therapeutic doses. If you are found to have a concentration of a drug above its specified limit in your blood because you have been prescribed or legitimately supplied a particularly high dose of medicine, then you can raise a statutory medical defence, provided your driving was not impaired by the medicine you are taking.
Law RTA 1988 sects 4 & 5
Before setting off. You should ensure that
Rule 97: Make sure head restraints are properly adjusted
Vehicle towing and loading. As a driver
In the event of a breakdown, be aware that towing a vehicle on a tow rope is potentially dangerous. You should consider professional recovery.
Laws CUR reg 100 & MV(DL)R reg 43
You MUST wear a seat belt in cars, vans and other goods vehicles if one is fitted (see table below). Adults, and children aged 14 years and over, MUSTuse a seat belt or child restraint, where fitted, when seated in minibuses, buses and coaches. Exemptions are allowed for the holders of medical exemption certificates and those making deliveries or collections in goods vehicles when travelling less than 50 metres (approx 162 feet).
Laws RTA 1988 sects 14 & 15, MV(WSB)R, MV(WSBCFS)R &MV(WSB)(A)R
Seat belt requirements. This table summarises the main legal requirements for wearing seat belts in cars, vans and other goods vehicles.
| Front seat | Rear seat | Who is responsible? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver | Seat belt MUST be worn if fitted | - | Driver |
| Child under 3 years of age | Correct child restraint MUST be used | Correct child restraint MUST be used. If one is not available in a taxi, may travel unrestrained. | Driver |
| Child from 3rd birthday up to 1.35 metres in height (or 12th birthday, whichever they reach first) | Correct child restraint MUST be used | Correct child restraint MUST be used where seat belts fitted. MUST use adult belt if correct child restraint is not available in a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle, or for reasons of unexpected necessity over a short distance, or if two occupied restraints prevent fitment of a third. | Driver |
| Child over 1.35 metres (approx 4ft 5ins) in height or 12 or 13 years | Seat belt MUST be worn if available | Seat belt MUST be worn if available | Driver |
| Adult passengers aged 14 and over | Seat belt MUST be worn if available | Seat belt MUST be worn if available | Passenger |
The driver MUST ensure that all children under 14 years of age in cars, vans and other goods vehicles wear seat belts or sit in an approved child restraint where required (see table above). If a child is under 1.35 metres (approx 4 feet 5 inches) tall, a baby seat, child seat, booster seat or booster cushion MUSTbe used suitable for the child’s weight and fitted to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Laws RTA 1988 sects 14 & 15, MV(WSB)R, MV(WSBCFS)R &MV(WSB)(A)R
Rule 100: Make sure that a child uses a suitable restraint which is correctly adjusted
A rear-facing baby seat MUST NOT be fitted into a seat protected by an active frontal airbag, as in a crash it can cause serious injury or death to the child.
Laws RTA 1988 sects 14 & 15, MV(WSB)R, MV(WSBCFS)R &MV(WSB)(A)R
Children in cars, vans and other goods vehicles. Drivers who are carrying children in cars, vans and other goods vehicles should also ensure that