Ten lesser-known motoring offences 

In this article, our motoring offences experts have compiled a list of ten of the lesser-known motoring offences that could leave drivers facing fines and penalty points on their licences.

Unreadable number plates

If your car gets dirty or covered in snow to the point where the number plate cannot be read, you are committing an offence under the Road Vehicles Regulations 2001 and could be fined up to £1000.

You can also be punished for this offence if your number plate light isn’t working whilst driving at night if the numbers and letters on the plate aren’t the correct size and font or if you have any images on your number plate apart from approved flags.

Splashing Pedestrians

It is an offence to drive without reasonable consideration for other road users including pedestrians. 

Typically this sort of behaviour results in a £100 fixed penalty notice, but should it progress to court the fine could end up a lot larger.

Driving with unsecured pets

Driving with an unsecured pet, such as a cat or dog in your car is illegal and dangerous and you could be punished for the offence of distracted driving. Typically this would also result in a £100 fixed penalty fine and three penalty points. However, a court could increase this significantly.

Flashing headlights to warn other drivers

Drivers who use their headlights or other methods to alert oncoming drivers that they are approaching a temporary speed trap could be fined up to £1,000 for obstructing the police.

Driving without glasses

Motorists who are required to wear glasses to drive could face punishment if they are caught not following the restrictions that are set on their driving licence.

Drivers would typically receive a £100 fixed penalty fine, but if the case was to go to court it could increase to £1,000 and up to six penalty points.

Driving with an unsecured sat-nav device

Punishments for using a handheld mobile phone whilst at the wheel of a car also apply to the use of an unsecured sat-nav. If you are caught using a device that is not in a proper holder to follow directions you could receive a £200 fine and six penalty points on your licence.

Remember to be careful when mounting the device as you could also receive three penalty points if you do not have a full view of the road ahead.

Sounding your horn

It is illegal for drivers to sound their horn whilst stationary in traffic unless you’re alerting another road user to danger. Drivers are also not permitted to sound their horn on a road with street lights and a 30mph speed limit between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am.

Not updating your address

Individuals could be fined up to £1,000 for having an invalid licence after failing to update the details on their driving licence such as a change of name or address.

Leaving snow on a car roof

Despite it not being illegal to drive with snow on the roof of your car, if it slides forward and obscures your windscreen or falls off the back and lands on another vehicle, you could be charged with driving without due consideration or driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

The penalty for that offence is a £60 fine and three points on your driving licence.

Obstructing emergency services

If you willfully impede the progress of an ambulance or fire engine that’s on its way to an emergency you risk being handed a fine. However, you cannot break the law to get out of the way unless you are instructed to do so by a police officer.

How we can help

If you’ve been charged with any motoring offences, please get in touch with our dedicated motoring offence solicitors, who have a proven track record of protecting the driving licences of many British motorists. We’ll do everything we can to clear you of wrongdoing or minimise action against you.

For more information, go to https://cartwrightking.co.uk/services/driving-offence-solicitors/