Millions of people in the UK drive every single day. Whether you’re driving to work, taking your children to school, or heading to the supermarket to do your weekly shop. There were around 46 million fully registered driving licences within the UK in 2024, and while not all of those will actively use a car, that’s a lot of vehicles on the roads.
If you use your car every day, you should be aware of the Highway Code rules that you have to follow when you’re on the road. But it turns out that there are some rules that motorists had no idea existed – and not following them could be costly.
One of these rules concerns having animals inside your car. Many pet owners put their dogs in their cars to take them for a walk in a suitable spot or perhaps to visit the vet or another family member.
But there are strict Highway Code rules when it comes to having dogs inside cars, and failing to follow them correctly could land you a fine of up to £5,000 and, in worst-case scenarios, could even see you banned from driving.
The rule concerns animals that are not restrained correctly, and it’s a big problem for pet owners who allow their dogs to stick their heads out of the window while they’re travelling.
The issue was highlighted in a post on Reddit, where one user asked whether it was “safe” for dogs to stick their heads out of car windows. They stated that they see animals doing it all the time, but when they search for an answer on the internet, they’re always told it’s unsafe.
Commenters agreed with this assertion, stating that it is dangerous for your dog. But not only could you have to rush your pet to the vet if anything were to happen to them, you could also be looking at a hefty fine from the police, too.
One person said: “I’ve worked in emergency veterinary medicine to have seen dogs either leap out of open windows while the car is moving or get thrown during a car accident out the window. I indulge my dogs at stop lights, but once we’re moving, those windows are up. It’s in the end your risk to take.”
Another added: “I have enough friends in emergency medicine (vet and human) to allow anyone in my car to stick anything out the windows. The horror stories are not rare and are very disturbing.”
A third wrote: “Besides the risk of trauma in a sudden stop/accident, there’s the risk of sand and debris damaging their eyes. To the dog, it’s awesome, but they don’t understand the risks – sadly, neither do some of the caretakers.
“If you saw a toddler with its head out the window, people would be appalled. Why is it any less dangerous for a dog? Inertia is unforgiving; secure yourselves and your loved ones in case of accidents.”
What does the law say about dogs in cars?
The Highway Code states that dogs and other animals must be “suitably restrained” when in a vehicle. This is to protect the animals from injury and ensure they do not distract the driver.
Highway Code Rule 57 reads: “When in a vehicle, make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of safely restraining animals in cars.”
If a driver is stopped and is found not to be following this guidance, they could face a series of fines, including an on-the-spot fine of up to £5,000. They can also incur up to nine points on their licence, and in some extreme cases, they could be handed a full driving ban.
Nick Zapolski, founder of Choose My Car, said: “It always raises a smile when you see a happy dog with its head hanging out the window, ears flopping in the wind, but it’s an obvious way to demonstrate that you aren’t following Rule 57 – and that could cost you your licence.
“And it’s not just that – in the event of an accident, an unrestrained dog could do serious damage to itself and the people in the car. It’s cheap and simple to get a seatbelt for your dog or a dog guard for the boot – and can save a lot of heartache.”