As millions of Brits are set to make journeys this weekend across the Bank Holiday, experts are advising travellers with pets to plan ahead to avoid a £5,000 fine. As the number of travellers bringing their pets on trips increases, owners may not realise that journeying with pets comes with strict rules and potential hefty penalties. These include sky-high fines and points on your driving licence.
With this in mind, experts at the driver insurance company Zego have investigated the legal requirements and potential penalties of travelling with pets by both car and rail over the bank holiday. For Brits planning to travel by car this weekend, it is advised to read Rule 57 of the Highway Code as failing to comply may lead to a £5,000 fine. Drivers must ensure at all times when travelling with dogs that they are suitably restrained in vehicles to prevent distractions and injuries. Here are some examples of how pets can be secured in the car:
- Pet seatbelts
- Harnesses
- Crates and carriers
- Boot or luggage guards
Failing to properly restrain a pet can lead to fines up to £5,000, points on your driving licence, and potential insurance issues, the experts explain. This comes under careless and inconsiderate driving in the Highway Code.
Common examples of failing to properly restrain a pet include:
- Letting your pet sit in the front seat
- Letting your pet travel in a car seat unrestrained
- Letting your dog hang their head out of the car window
- Carrying your pet on your lap in the car
- Leaving pets in the car
In the UK, there isn’t a specific law that outright states it’s illegal to leave your pet in the car. However, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it illegal to mistreat or neglect animals, and leaving a pet in a car in conditions that could cause suffering or harm, such as extreme summer heat, falls under neglect and can be prosecuted.
The maximum penalty for an offence under section 9 (failure to ensure welfare of animals) is imprisonment, a fine of up to £5,000 or both.
For those planning to travel by public transport this weekend, rules from the National Rail state that you can bring up to two pets free of charge on train travel throughout the UK.
- However, these are the conditions:
- No more than two pets per person
- Pets cannot be taken into the buffet or restaurant cars
- Pets are not allowed on the seats
- Animals other than dogs must be conveyed in a fully enclosed basket or carrier with enough space to allow the animal to stand and lie down in comfort
- Dogs must be kept on a lead
- Pets should be carried on escalators
Transport for London (TfL) allows travel with dogs on their buses, Tube, trams, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth services, as long as you follow these rules:
- Your pet is not dangerous or uncontrollable
- Your pet is kept on a lead or in a suitable container
- You do not allow your pet on a seat
- You use the wide gates
- You use a staircase or a lift
Breaking any of these rules could result in a level 3 fine of £1000.