Seasonal car fines to be aware of
While motorists are hopefully aware of the consequences of common driving offences such as using a phone at the wheel, or running a red light, there are some lesser-known regulations that can put drivers and other road users at risk. From driving while suffering from hay fever, to blasting out loud music, there are certain laws you might be unaware of breaking – and they could land you with a hefty fine or penalty.
Our latest research takes a closer look at some of the driving regulations that often slip under the radar. The research uncovers just how knowledgeable UK drivers are on these rules, as well as identifying when certain fines and penalties are most likely to be given out throughout the year. To help you avoid getting caught out, we've also included some tips on how to steer clear of these lesser-known driving penalties.
The 10 least well-known driving penalties in the UK
Our research allowed us to outline some of the least well-known driving offences among UK motorists:
1. Driving with hay fever
Hay fever is a common affliction, with nearly half[1] of Brits reportedly suffering the symptoms. But did you know that continuing to drive while experiencing hay fever could earn you a hefty fine?
Since hay fever can cause extreme eye irritation and vision problems, as well as the medications potentially leading to drowsiness, anyone suffering from a severe bout of seasonal allergies should avoid driving under these conditions.
Almost two thirds (63%) of drivers were unaware that driving with hay fever could earn them a penalty, making this the least well-known driving offence on our list. Doing so puts drivers at risk of violating rule 90 of the Highway Code, which stipulates that drivers must be fit to drive their vehicle.
Committing this offence could land you with an unlimited fine or discretionary disqualification, as well as 3-9 penalty points on your licence for careless and inconsiderate driving.
2. Night-time parking
61% of motorists are not aware that parking their car at night could get them into trouble. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
Although night-time parking can be perfectly legal, there are specific instances where it violates the Highway Code. Rule 248 says drivers must not park on a road at night facing against the direction of traffic flow, and rule 249 says drivers must display parking lights when parking on a road with a speed limit over 30 mph.
Failure to comply with these rules can result in a fine of up to £130 in London, and up to £70 in the rest of the UK.
3. Driving in fancy dress costume
Our research shows that half of UK drivers (54%) are under the impression that driving in costume isn’t an offence, but – depending on the costume – it can be.
Rule 97 of the Highway Code warns drivers to make sure their clothing and footwear don’t prevent them from using the controls correctly. If they do, this could impair your view of the road and lead to a lack of proper control over the vehicle – which can result in a £1,000 fine or discretionary disqualification and three penalty points.
The table below reveals the top 10 least well-known driving offences that can land you with a fine or penalty.
Percent of drivers who are unaware these laws could lead to a fine.
The most and least clued-up UK cities
According to our research, drivers in Brighton and Norwich are the most knowledgeable about obscure driving fines, with 55% of motorists correctly believing that certain driving behaviours will result in a penalty. Over half of drivers in Glasgow, Bristol, and Cardiff are also aware of the penalties associated with certain driving behaviours.
On the other hand, drivers in Edinburgh and Sheffield are the least knowledgeable, with almost 40% of respondents in these cities mistakenly believing that certain actions will not result in a fine. London and Birmingham also have a relatively high percentage of drivers who are unaware of certain driving fines (36%).
These results highlight why it's crucial for drivers to keep up to date with the latest driving rules and their consequences to encourage safer and more responsible driving.
| City | % who wrongly believe you WON’T get a fine | City | % who correctly believe you WILL get a fine | |
| Edinburgh | 38.9% | Brighton | 54.9% | |
| Sheffield | 38.3% | Norwich | 54.9% | |
| London | 36.2% | Glasgow | 53.6% | |
| Birmingham | 35.7% | Bristol | 53.3% | |
| Belfast | 35.4% | Cardiff | 53.3% |
Driving penalty calendar
Drivers could be more at risk of receiving these fines based on factors such as cold versus warmer weather, and special occasions such as big festivals and sporting events - think Glastonbury, summer holidays, Christmas etc.
Although these rules apply year-round, some apply to certain seasons more than others:
| Action | Rule | Maximum Fines & Penalties |
| Spring | ||
| Driving with hay fever and/or taking drowsy allergy tablets | Highway Code Rule 90: Ensuring you are fit to drive |
Careless and inconsiderate driving Unlimited fine 3-9 penalty points |
| Taking drowsy allergy tablets | Highway Code Rule 91: Do not drive when tired |
Dangerous driving 2 years imprisonment Unlimited fine 3-11 penalty points |
| Driving in wellies | Highway Code Rule 97: Footwear cannot prevent you using the controls in the correct manner |
Failure to have proper control of vehicle £1,000 fine 3 penalty points |
| Splashing pedestrians | Section 3, Road Traffic Act 1988 Driving without reasonable consideration for other persons |
Driving without reasonable consideration £100 3 penalty points |
| Summer | ||
| Driving in flip flops | Highway Code Rule 97: Footwear cannot prevent you using the controls in the correct manner | Failure to have proper control of vehicle £1,000 fine 3 penalty points |
| Driving while listening to loud music | Highway Code Rule 148: Safe driving requires concentration, so avoid distractions such as loud music |
Careless and inconsiderate driving Unlimited fine 3-9 penalty points |
| Driving while your dog stick’s their head out the window | Highway Code Rule 57: Dogs must be suitable restrained as to not distract you or injure you or themselves |
Careless and inconsiderate driving Unlimited fine 3-9 penalty points |
| Autumn | ||
| Driving in fancy dress/Halloween costume | Highway Code Rule 97: Your clothing or footwear cannot prevent you from correctly controlling the vehicle |
Failure to have proper control of vehicle £1,000 fine 3 penalty points |
| Not clearing the leaves / frost from your windows | Highway Code Rule 229: You must be able to see the road ahead |
Using a vehicle in a dangerous condition £2,500 fine 3 penalty points |
| Winter | ||
| Driving with frosted/foggy windows or snow on your roof | Highway Code Rule 229: You must clear all snow and ice from your windows and vehicle to be able to see and avoid snow falling onto the path of other drivers |
Using a vehicle in a dangerous condition £2,500 fine 3 penalty points |
| Warming up your car on the side of the road, whilst you are outside of the vehicle | Highway Code Rule 123: You must not leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running unnecessarily on a public road |
£20 fine, but if issued a FPN, then £40 However, some councils may choose a higher PCN of £80 |
| Driving in winter boots or thick winter jackets | Highway Code Rule 97: Your clothing or footwear cannot prevent you from correctly controlling the vehicle |
Failure to have proper control of vehicle £1,000 fine 3 penalty points |
How to stay safe and avoid fines on the road
Staying up to date with the latest version of the Highway Code is the easiest way to avoid fines and penalties while driving. Even having just a few penalty points on your licence could cause issues for you, as they stay on record for at least four years and make it more difficult to get good car insurance deals. In fact, our data shows that having between 3-5 points on your license could increase your insurance premium by up to 4% on average, while having 6-8 points could increase premiums costs by up to 62% on average.
You can follow the latest additions on the GOV.UK website or sign up for email alerts to be notified whenever updates are made.
If you’re ever unsure whether an action is safe on or off the road, you should always err on the side of caution. Don’t do anything that seems risky, and look for guidance if you need it. Often, a quick Google search can give you the answer.
Methodology
Data on driver awareness taken from a survey of 2,000 UK drivers, carried out in February 2023.
[1] https://www.allergyuk.org/about-allergy/statistics-and-figures/
