After passing your driving test, you may think that you know the rules of the road inside out.
Speeding, drink driving and using a mobile phone behind a wheel are some of the most common ways for a driver to commit a driving offence.
However, there are a number of offences that you may be unintentionally doing which could be breaking the law.
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We have compiled a list of 10 things you might do while you're driving that are actually illegal.
Sleeping in your car after a few drinks
After a night out it may seem like a sensible idea to sleep in your car if you can't get home, but it is actually illegal.
This is an offence under section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and police may prosecute you for being 'drunk in charge of a motor vehicle'.
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Even if your keys are out of the ignition and you're in the backseat, you could still face a fine and a maximum of ten penalty points.
Flashing your lights to give way
Drivers caught flashing lights to other motorists to let them go through could face a minimum of a £30 fine.
You must only flash their headlights to let other road users know they are there - not to convey other messages or intimidate people.
Parking on the wrong side of the road at night
You must not park on a road at night with your car facing against the direction of the traffic flow.
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Unless a uniformed police officer says otherwise or if you are parked in a parking space or on a one-way street.
If committed, drivers could land themselves with a £1000 fine.
Using a sat-nav in an unfixed position
Many of us use our mobile phones as sat navs, but the device is illegal to use if it's not fixed to your windscreen or dashboard.
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The phone must be in a fixed position whilst driving and must be in clear sight without you holding it.
If caught, you could receive six points on your license.
Splashing a pedestrian with rain water
Splashing a pedestrian on a rainy day may seem like a funny joke, but you could be committing a criminal offence.
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is illegal to drive “without reasonable consideration for other persons”, including “driving through a puddle causing pedestrians to be splashed”.
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The maximum punishment is a level five fine of £5,000 in instances where driving “amounts to a clear act of incompetence, selfishness, impatience or aggressiveness”.
Dirty number plate
When you're washing the car, remember to give the number plates a good scrub too.
Registration plates must be visible at all times when a car is on the road.
If one or more of the numbers/letters on your plate can't be read, then you're breaking the law and could be liable for a hefty fine.
Smoking in cars with children
If you smoke in a car with anyone aged under 18 on board, you could be slapped with a £50 fine.
This will be reduced to £30 if paid within two weeks, but could be hiked up to £200 if the case reaches magistrates’ court.
Both the smoker and driver could be fined – and the engine doesn’t need to be running for a fine to be issued.
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The law applies to every driver in England and Wales, including those aged 17 and those with a provisional driving licence.
The law does not apply if the driver is 17 years old and is alone in the car.
Leaving a child in a car - even at a petrol station
The law doesn’t say an age when you can leave a child on their own, but it’s an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk.
Use your judgement on how mature your child is before you decide to leave them alone, eg at home or in a car.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) says:
- children under 12 are rarely mature enough to be left alone for a long period of time
- children under 16 shouldn’t be left alone overnight
- babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone
Using the horn between 11.30pm and 7am in a built up area
You must use the horn while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence.
Never sound your horn aggressively.
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You must not use your horn while stationary on the road or when driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30pm and 7am.
Unless another road user poses a danger.
Picking children up outside of school
Highway Code Rule 243 states you should not park near a school entrance — as well as anywhere that would prevent access for emergency services, at or near a bus stop, opposite or within 10 metres of a junction, over a dropped kerb, and in front of an entrance to a property.
Yellow zig-zag lines outside schools also indicate the length of road where stopping or waiting is strictly prohibited.
