A driving expert warns that you might be unknowingly breaking the law every time you drive, risking penalty points on your licence. Whether you’ve been driving for just a few months or several decades, many drivers occasionally slip up and do things they shouldn’t.
While most drivers are aware that these actions are incorrect, sometimes they seem safer than the “right” thing to do and aren’t a big issue if done infrequently. But a car specialist has pointed out that some “common” daily practices are not only illegal but could land you in hot water, including accruing points on your licence.
The individual behind the Capturing Cars TikTok account, a car photographer and ex-car salesman, posted a video outlining five everyday driving habits that are “actually illegal”.
He warned: “These are five of the most common driving habits people don’t realise are illegal and can lead to points on your licence and fines as well.”
1. Middle lane hogging
The expert labelled this behaviour as “annoying” and explained that it’s not just irritating for other drivers; staying in the middle lane on a motorway when not overtaking is against the law. The correct practice is to use the inside lane as the main lane and only move to the middle or outside lanes for overtaking purposes.
He explained: “If you’re driving in the middle lane when the left-hand lane is completely clear and for no good reason, you can actually get points on your licence and a fine as well. I would suggest you’d be unlucky to be pulled over for this, but you shouldn’t be doing it anyway.”
Under legislation introduced in 2013, officers can hand out an on-the-spot penalty of up to £100 and three penalty points on your licence if you’re caught hogging the middle lane inappropriately.
2. Eating or drinking
Whilst consuming food or beverages whilst driving isn’t technically against the law, should you become distracted and lose control of your vehicle whilst doing so, you could face charges for careless driving. This stems from the Highway Code’s explicit statement that “safe driving and riding needs concentration”.
Should police stop you for careless driving, this could lead to a £100 penalty plus three points on your licence, though more serious instances have resulted in fines of £5,000, nine penalty points, and a driving prohibition.
3. Driving too slowly
Everyone understands you mustn’t exceed the speed limit, but were you aware it might also be unlawful to drive below it?
The motoring specialist notes that travelling “significantly under” the speed limit without justification can be deemed dangerous, as you’re more prone to causing a collision with a vehicle maintaining the proper limit. The RAC confirms that whilst there’s no specific law against driving too slowly, police can prosecute drivers for “driving without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other road users”.
This offence can result in three to nine penalty points.
4. Flashing headlights to alert drivers about speed cameras
You may believe you’re helping fellow motorists by warning them of approaching speed cameras through flashing headlights, but this gesture could land you in trouble.
The expert explained: “Legally, this is seen as obstructing a police officer and can lead to fines and possibly points on your licence.”
Highway Code rule 110 specifies that you should “only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there” and warns against flashing them to “convey any other message or intimidate other road users”.
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) charging standards confirm that alerting motorists to speed traps or cameras constitutes obstructing a police officer, which carries a potential fine of up to £1,000.
5. Driving with obscured number plates
Lastly, the expert highlighted another frequent driving habit: motorists travelling with number plates so grimy that letters or numbers become illegible. The RAC warns that driving with an unreadable number plate can incur fines reaching £1,000, and vehicles may fail their MOT if plates cannot be clearly deciphered.
To circumvent this, it’s always advisable to keep a cloth in your car for cleaning your number plates, especially if you frequently traverse muddy or dusty regions where dirt could adhere to the plate.