Pet owners driving with dogs facing £5,000 fine if they break the following rules

Drivers could be hit with hefty penalty points and fines if they do not take extra precautions when travelling with their pets.

New pet owners surge around Christmas, meaning there could be many out driving with their pups now for the first time without being familiar with the laws around dogs in vehicles.

Dogs must be suitably strapped in with a seat belt harness or pet carrier, for example, when joining their owners on the road.

This is to make sure that the pooch doesn't distract the driver and prevent potential accidents, according to the Highway Code.

Airbags can also seriously injure a dog if it's been left to roam free in the vehicle.

Motorists who break the rules are deemed to be driving carelessly and risk being hit with three to nine penalty points and a £1,000.

Dogs can suffer wind damage if they stick their head out the car window (Getty Images)

This can go up to £5,000 if the case is taken to court.

To help drivers ensure the are travelling safely in the car with a dog, Quotezone.co.uk has shared a list of tips on what to look out for.

CEO and founder Greg Wilson said: “In addition to avoiding financial penalties, it's critical to know the rules of the road in order to keep everyone safe.

Pooches are allowed in the front seat which should be pushed back as far as possible (Getty Images/Westend61)

"Although many motorists perceive nothing wrong with letting their four-legged companions roam freely inside the vehicle and stick their heads out the window, doing so can actually endanger the pup's life.

"Every pet owner must make sure their pup is well looked after and restrained appropriately when travelling in a car, obeying the rules of the Highway Code, or risk invalidating both their car and pet insurance – leaving them unprotected should they need to make a claim."

Dogs in cars must buckle up too using a crate, travel harness or carrier (Getty Images/EyeEm)

Be secure

The safest way to restrain dogs in the car is to use a crate, travel harness, carrier or a dog guard. Pooch owners can opt for the solution that best suits their pet and fix it into place inside their car.

Passenger airbag

Dogs are allowed to sit in the front of a car, but the passenger airbag must be turned off and the seat should be moved back as far as possible.

Airbags should be deactivated where dogs are seated in the car (Getty Images)

Food

Pet owners should leave a gap of at least two hours between feeding their dog and going for a drive, otherwise there may be a lot of cleaning up to do if the dog gets motion sickness.

Water

Dogs must be kept hydrated. Drivers can use a non-spill water bowl so their pet pup has access to water throughout the journey.

Pet owners should avoid feeding their dogs immediately before hitting the road (Getty Images/EyeEm)

Stopping off

Plan your journey so you have extra time to have stops along the way to go for walks and get some fresh air. These breaks are especially important when the weather gets warmer, as dogs have a harder time adjusting to heat.

Weather

Dogs should never be left unattended in a car on a warm day, as it can cause them suffering and harm. Even with the windows open, they can quickly become dehydrated or suffer heatstroke.

Dogs should never be left in a car in warm weather (Getty Images)

Windows

Although pups seem to love the fresh air, it is incredibly dangerous to let them put their head out the window of a moving car.

As well as wind damage to eyes and ears and a risk of getting hit by flying debris, there is also a chance of hitting unexpected items outside the car.