A driving expert has warned that there are a number of things that motorists do every day that are ‘actually illegal’ and could get you into hot water with the police
You might be breaking the law every time you slip behind the wheel, a motoring expert has warned, and it could land you with penalty points on your licence. Whether you secured your driving test just months ago, years back, or even decades past, nearly every driver is guilty of occasionally doing something they’re not technically meant to do.
Most motorists are aware these actions are wrong, but sometimes it’s safer than following the “correct” approach, and it’s typically not a major issue if it only happens rarely. However, one automotive expert has revealed there are actually some “common” behaviours drivers engage in daily that are against the law and could land you in hot water – including penalty points being slapped on your licence.
The individual behind the Capturing Cars account on TikTok is a car photographer and ex-car salesman, and he posted a video spotlighting five of the most frequent driving practices he witnesses motorists doing daily that are “actually illegal”.
He explained: “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 branded this driving practice as “annoying”, and explained that beyond simply being irritating for fellow motorists, travelling in the middle lane whilst on a motorway without shifting into the inside lane is against the law.
You should only utilise the middle and outside lanes for overtaking, whilst the inside lane should be the main driving lane. He warned: “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 laws introduced in 2013, police have the power to issue an immediate fine of up to £100 and three penalty points on your licence if you’re caught unnecessarily occupying the middle lane.
2. Eating or drinking
Whilst it’s not illegal per se to eat or drink whilst driving, if you become distracted and lose control of your vehicle as a result, you could be charged with careless driving. This is because the Highway Code explicitly states that “safe driving and riding needs concentration”.
If you are pulled over by police for careless driving due to eating or drinking, you may face a £100 fine and three penalty points on your licence. However, more serious cases have resulted in a hefty £5,000 fine, nine penalty points, and a driving ban.
3. Driving too slowly
It’s common knowledge that exceeding the speed limit is against the law, but did you know that driving significantly under the speed limit can also be illegal?
According to the motoring expert, driving “significantly under” the speed limit without a valid reason can be deemed dangerous, as it increases the likelihood of an accident with a car that is adhering to the limit.
The RAC has clarified that while there’s no specific law against driving too slowly, the police can charge you for “driving without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other road users”. This offence could result in between three and nine penalty points.
4. Warning drivers of speed cameras by flashing headlights
You may believe you’re helping your fellow motorists by alerting them to an upcoming speed camera with a flash of your headlights, but this act could land you in trouble.
An expert explained: “Legally, this is seen as obstructing a police officer and can lead to fines and possibly points on your licence.”
According to Highway Code rule 110, you should “only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there” and not use them to “convey any other message or intimidate other road users”.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) charging standards indicate that warning drivers of a speed trap or speed camera would constitute the offence of obstructing a police officer, which can carry a fine of up to £1,000.
5. Driving with dirty number plates
Lastly, the expert highlighted another common driving habit he frequently observes – people driving with number plates so dirty that the letters or numbers are unreadable. The RAC states that driving with an obscured number plate can result in a fine of up to £1,000, and your car could even fail its MOT if the plate cannot be read clearly.
To prevent this, it’s always a good idea to keep a cloth in your car that you can use to clean your number plates, especially if you frequently drive through muddy or dusty areas where dirt might adhere to the plate.