No matter how up to speed you think you are with the rules of the road, there are always a few left to catch you out.

The end of the third lockdown is in sight, a year after the first began. Drivers are being warned to check their little used vehicles. Obviously, ‘out of sight, out of mind’ means a lack of basic maintenance, even use, can leave mechanical objects a little out of shape. However, it also leaves the driver a little out of practise and lacking some of the common sense automatic understanding of rules, regulations and practical skills.

The following top ten list is courtesy of car leasing company Vanarama. They are a little tester to get that motoring mind lubricated, fuelled and focused.

 

1)Unlawful Pillion Riding

If you are carrying a passenger on a motorcycle it must be on a pillion seat fitted securely behind the driver. The pillion must be able to sit astride the seat with their feet on the footrests. If they are not able to do this or the motorbike is not fitted for a pillion then this is an offence.

Penalty – 3 points. These remain on driving record for 4 years from the date of offence.

 

2) Play Street Offences

When a vehicle is driven on a road that has been designated and sign posted for play, outside of the published times.

Penalty – 2 points. These remain on driving record for 4 years from the date of offence.

3) Night time parking

Rule 248 of the Highway Code states that at night, car must park on the correct side of the road. The rule states that “a car must not be parked at the side of the road facing against the direction of traffic unless in a recognised parking space”.

Penalty – up to £1,000 fine

 

4) Leaving your engine running

Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 enforces Rule 123 of the Highway Code. This states that “you must not leave a vehicle’s engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road”. You could face a fine of up to £20 under the Road Traffic Vehicle Emissions Regulations 2002 and up to £80 in London. However this is only applicable on public land. It does not include being stuck in traffic, though new local authority traffic laws are increasingly encouraging motorists to ‘stop/start/ engines at traffic lights and in traffic jams.

Penalty – up to £80 fine

 

5) Warning others of speed traps

Warning other drivers of police speed traps is an offence. It can land you with a  fine for breaking section 89 of the Police Act 1996.

Penalty – up to £1000 fine

 

6) Leaving A Vehicle In A Dangerous Position

It’s an offence to leave a vehicle in a position on a road that could cause danger to other road users. Examples include parking on a blind bend or parking on a slope without your handbrake on.

Penalty – 3 points, which remain on driving record for 4 years from the date of offence

7) Dirty Number Plates

If you allow dirt to build up on your number plates to the point it is obscured then you could face a fine and points. It’s important that registration plates are readable as they inform police when and where a vehicle was registered. Modern Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will also struggle to record essential security data.

Penalty – up to 9 points and up to a £1,000 fine

 

8) Refusing To Submit An Eyesight Test

Under Section 96 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 police officers can ask you to submit an eyesight test. If the officer has a reasonable suspicion that you have been driving while your eyesight is such that you could not pass the test.

Penalty – 3 points, which remain on driving record for 4 years from the date of offence

 

9) Driving With Frosted Windows

Rule 229 of the Highway Code dictates that drivers must make sure they can see out of all windows before starting any journey. Failure to comply could lead to prosecution under the banner of careless driving.

Penalty – up to a £200 fine and 3 to 9 points, which remains on driving record for 4 years from the date of offence

 

 10) Driving With Unrestrained Pets

With pet sales booming during lockdown, there will be many first time pet owners. They may not realise the rules when driving with pets. There are also plenty of longstanding pet owners who seem ignorant of them too. By driving with unrestrained pet’s car drivers are putting themselves at risk of distractions which could cause accidents. If police catch you driving with an unrestrained pet, they are likely to claim you are driving without due care and attention. This can result in a fine of up to £200 and points on your license.

Penalty – up to a £20 fine, plus 3 to 9 points that remain on driving record for 4 years from the date of offence