Written by Menswear Style
in
Cars
on the
6th February 2025
Every now and then, debates flare up about whether certain groups of people should have to retake their driving test. Some argue that young drivers should face a follow-up exam after a few years on the road, while others think older drivers should be tested periodically to make sure their skills are still sharp. Then there are those who believe the test itself needs an overhaul – adding modern scenarios or cutting outdated elements.
But what about the rest of us? The ones who passed years ago and don’t fall into any of these categories? How much of the Highway Code do we actually remember?
For most of us, The Highway Code is just something we crammed before our test, only to forget it the moment we passed. Be honest – when was the last time you actually looked at it? Thought so.
This being the case (and don’t lie, we know it is) it’s no surprise that plenty of its rules are forgotten, unknown, or just plain ignored. Even careful drivers can be guilty of breaking a few without realising it.
The Highway Code isn’t technically the law, but it is based on various legal regulations, and if you’re caught in violation of it, you could find yourself in trouble. In court, it’s often used as a reference for acceptable driving behaviour, and breaking its rules won’t do you any favours.
Thankfully, private number plate provider Regtransfers have put together a quick list of some of the most forgotten rules – as well as some of the more obscure ones.
Rule 57 – Securing Pets in the Car
We’ve all seen dogs with their heads hanging out of car windows, ears flapping in the wind. Cute? Absolutely. Safe? Not at all. The Highway Code states that pets should be properly restrained in a vehicle to prevent distractions and protect both them and passengers in case of sudden stops.
Fine: Up to £5,000
Reason: It’s considered a factor of “driving without due care and attention”.
Rule 110 – Flashing Headlights
Many of us flash our headlights as a way of saying “thanks” or letting someone merge. But according to The Highway Code, headlights should only be flashed to make other road users aware of your presence—not to send a message, warn of speed traps, or encourage someone to go.
Fine: up to £1,000
Reason: Improper use of headlights could be misinterpreted, leading to confusion on the road
Rule 123 – Leaving Your Engine Running
If you’re parked and not moving, you should turn off your engine—even if you’re just defrosting your windshield. It’s against the rules to leave your car running unnecessarily, and the reason for this is a bit of a no-brainer…
Fine: At least £20, or £80 in areas of London
Reason: Unnecessary engine idling contributes to air and noise pollution
Rule 124 – Towing Speed Limits
If you’re towing a trailer, you need to slow down. The speed limit is 50 mph on single carriageways and 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways—10 mph less than the usual speed limit.
Fine: At least £100, and 3 penalty points added to your licence
Reason: This shouldn’t really need to be explained, but speeding reduces reaction time, increases the risk of losing control of the vehicle, and heightens the severity of accidents.
Rule 188 – Mini-Roundabouts
Let’s be honest—many of us are guilty of cutting across the markings on mini-roundabouts instead of going around them properly. Turns out, that’s a direct violation of the Code. Even if it seems pointless, you’re supposed to stick to the designated circular route.
Fine: At least £50
Reason: Cutting roundabouts, as well as other road markings, is generally considered careless driving.
Rule 248 – Parking Against the Flow of Traffic
At night, you must not park facing oncoming traffic unless it’s in a designated parking space. It’s a simple rule, but one that many drivers overlook.
Fine: At least £1,000, but if you’re taken to court, the penalties can increase to £2,500
Reason: If your vehicle is facing oncoming traffic, it becomes less visible to other motorists, which increases the risk of accidents.
Rule 249 – Using Parking Lights at Night
If you park on a road with a speed limit over 30 mph, you need to leave your parking lights on, for reasons not too dissimilar to the ones above; it’s all about visibility. They’re not used in too many circumstances, so it’s fair to assume that a few of us may not even know how to turn them on (Hint: they’re the setting with a symbol that looks like two small lights with three rays coming from each.)
Fine: Usually between £35 and £75
Reason: Your car needs to be visible to other drivers in low light conditions, especially if it’s stationary.
Rule 264 – Lane Hogging on Motorways
“Keep left unless overtaking.” Sounds simple enough, but many drivers treat the middle lane as their default, even when the left lane is clear. This bad habit clogs up motorways and can lead to unnecessary congestion.
Fine: £100 and three penalty points.
Reason: Lane hogging is considered a careless driving offense.
As a bit of a bonus, here are a couple of rules within the Highway Code that are a little strange, but still true and enforcable
Rule 58 – Herding Animals at Night
We imagine it’s not often that you’ll need to do this, but if you happen to be moving a herd of animals on the road after dark, you’re required to carry a white light at the front and a red light at the back. Of the herd, that is.
Makes sense in rural areas, though convincing a herd of deer to follow this rule might be tricky.
Rule 148 – No Loud Music or Arguments
Loud music and heated arguments are listed as distractions in The Highway Code. If you’ve ever had a political debate with a passenger while driving, technically, you’ve been breaking the rules. This one’s an “easy out” if you’re about to get into a conversation you’d prefer not to.
Rules 276 & 277 – Warning Triangles on Motorways
Most people think you should put out a warning triangle if you break down, and that’s absolutely the case…with one key exception. The Highway Code says it’s too dangerous to deploy a warning triangle on the motorway, since it could get blown into the path of fast-moving traffic.
If any of these rules caught you by surprise, it might be time to revisit The Highway Code. It’s always a good idea to flick through it every now and then, as some of what you learned for your test may no longer apply…or might never have been true in the first place.
Luckily, The Highway Code is free to read online, so there’s no excuse not to brush up. Who knows? A quick read might just save you a fine, or even prevent an accident.
