Photo: Eclipse Chasers / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.
When you meet animals on the road in Great Britain, the Highway Code tells you to drive slowly, give plenty of room, be ready to stop, and never use the horn or rev the engine. If a herd blocks the road, stop and switch off your engine until it has passed. If you hit a dog, horse, cow, sheep, pig, goat, ass or mule, you have legal duties to stop and report. This explainer covers Rules 47 to 58, Rule 214 and Rule 286.
Key rules for drivers
- Rule 214: drive slowly past animals, give them plenty of room and be ready to stop. Do not sound your horn, rev your engine or accelerate hard once past.
- Rule 214, livestock: if animals block the road, stop and switch off your engine until they have left it.
- Rule 215, horses: 10 mph maximum and at least 2 metres when passing. Full detail: passing horses safely.
- Rule 286: after a collision that injures an animal, you must stop, give details to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask, and report to the police within 24 hours if you did not.
Herded animals: cattle and sheep (Rules 58 and 214)
Rule 58 asks people herding animals to keep them under control, send someone ahead to warn traffic at bends and hill crests, and avoid moving them after dark. If a herd is moved at night, the people with it should wear reflective clothing and carry lights, white at the front of the herd and red at the back. Expect them on rural roads, often near farm gates and with little warning.
- Slow right down as soon as you see animals or a warning sign.
- If the herd fills the road, stop and switch off the engine.
- Wait for the herd to pass or for the person in charge to signal you on.
- Move off gently. No horn, no revving, no fast acceleration.
- Watch for stragglers.
Rule 214 also asks you to keep your speed down on bends and narrow country roads, to take extra care with animals being led, driven or ridden along the road, and to watch for animals wandering on unfenced roads, such as moorland and common land.
More on country driving: learning to drive on rural roads.
Dogs and other animals (Rules 56 and 57)
- Rule 56: owners should never let a dog onto the road on its own, and should keep it on a short lead on pavements and paths shared with cyclists or horse riders. As a driver, a loose dog near the road is a hazard: slow down and be ready to stop.
- Rule 57: in your own car, restrain animals so they cannot distract you or be hurt if you brake suddenly. Options are a seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard.
Horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles (Rules 47 to 55)
These rules are written for riders and carriage drivers, but they tell you what to expect:
| Rule | What it says | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 48 | Horse-drawn vehicles need two red rear reflectors, and lights at night | They are slow and may be hard to see at dusk |
| 50 and 51 | Riders should wear light or fluorescent clothing by day and reflective clothing at night | Look out for hi-vis on country lanes |
| 53 | Riders keep left and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and bends | Expect single file on bends; do not pass until safe |
| 55 | Riders should avoid roundabouts, but if they use one, they keep left and signal right across exits | A horse may stay left on a roundabout while going right |
What to do if you hit an animal
Rule 286 says that if you are involved in a collision causing damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property, you must:
- Stop, in a place of relative safety if possible.
- Give your name and address, the vehicle owner’s name and address, and the registration number to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask.
- If you did not give those details at the time, report it to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and within 24 hours at the latest.
Which animals count?
For this duty, section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 defines “animal” as a horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog. Deer and cats are not on the list, though a collision with them can still damage other vehicles or property, which brings the duty back in. Full detail on your duties: after a car accident in the UK.
Scenario: a sheep runs out on a dark lane
You hit a sheep and it is injured. Nobody is around. Stop safely and report it to the police within 24 hours because you could not give your details to anyone at the scene.
Common questions
Do you have to report hitting a dog?
Yes. A dog is on the section 170 list. Stop, and if you cannot give your details to the owner or someone else with good reason to ask, report it to the police within 24 hours.
Do you have to report hitting a cat?
Cats are not on the list for this duty. You must still stop and report if the collision damaged another vehicle or property, or injured a person.
What should I do if cows are on the road?
Slow down, stop if they block the road, switch off your engine and wait until they have cleared it.
Can I use my horn to move animals?
No. Rule 214 says never to scare animals with your horn or engine.
How should I carry my dog in the car?
Restrained, so it cannot distract you or be hurt in sudden braking: a harness, carrier, cage or dog guard (Rule 57).
Does this come up in the theory test?
Yes, under vulnerable road users and other topics. See the vulnerable road users topic.
Related: road users requiring extra care and the warning signs guide (including animal signs). Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.
Sources
- Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Rules about animals (47 to 58)” (gov.uk)
- Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)” (gov.uk)
- Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Breakdowns and incidents (275 to 287)” (gov.uk)
- legislation.gov.uk, “Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 170” (legislation.gov.uk)