Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.
Before you drive in Great Britain, Highway Code Rules 89 to 98 say your car must be legal and roadworthy, you must hold a valid licence and insurance, and your clothing and footwear must not stop you using the controls properly. This checklist turns those rules into a two-minute routine for learners and new drivers, with the legal “MUST” items marked.
Key facts
- Rule 89: your vehicle and any trailer MUST comply with the full construction, use and lighting requirements.
- Rule 97: you MUST have a valid licence and insurance for the vehicle, and the vehicle MUST be legal and roadworthy.
- Footwear: Rule 97 says “clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner”. There is no law naming flip-flops or bare feet; the test is whether you can use the pedals properly.
- Eyesight: you MUST be able to read a number plate from 20 metres in good daylight, with glasses or lenses if you need them (Rule 92).
- Clean lights and windows: Annex 6 says lights, indicators, reflectors and number plates MUST be kept clean and clear, and windscreens and windows MUST be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision.
The pre-drive checklist (Rule 97)
Paperwork and legality
- Valid licence for the vehicle (a provisional licence plus a qualified supervisor if you are learning).
- Insurance that covers you for this car. More on the documents: MOT, tax, insurance and the V5C.
- Vehicle legal and roadworthy.
Walk round the car
- Lights, indicators, reflectors and number plates clean and working.
- Windscreen, windows and mirrors clean and clear. In snow or ice, Rule 229 says you MUST clear all windows so you can see and MUST make sure lights are clean and number plates legible.
- Tyres look properly inflated and undamaged. Tread depth and weekly checks: basic car maintenance for new drivers.
In the driving seat
- Seat adjusted so you can press the pedals fully and reach the controls.
- Head restraint adjusted to reduce the risk of neck and spine injury in a collision.
- Mirrors set for “comfort, full control and maximum vision” (Rule 97). Set them after the seat, because moving the seat changes what they show.
- Nothing loose in the footwell that could roll under the pedals, and no heavy items free to fly round the cabin.
- Seat belt on. Who must wear one: seat belt and child seat law.
- You know where every control is, especially in an unfamiliar car: demister, wipers, lights, hazard warning lights and parking brake. Try the demister and check the glass actually clears.
- Enough fuel or charge for the journey, and a route planned with time for breaks.
Rule 97 also recommends carrying a mobile phone with emergency contacts and high-visibility clothing, but you MUST NOT use a hand-held phone while driving.
Are you fit to drive? (Rules 90 to 96)
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| 90 | You MUST tell the DVLA about any health condition likely to affect your driving |
| 91 | Do not start a journey tired. Avoid long drives between midnight and 6am. Take a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours |
| 92 | 20 metre number plate rule (20.5 metres for old-style plates) |
| 93 | Slow down, or stop if necessary, if dazzled by bright sunlight |
| 94 | Do not wear tinted glasses or visors at night or in poor visibility if they restrict your vision |
| 95 and 96 | You MUST NOT drive over the drink limit or under the influence of drugs or certain medicines |
Detail: fitness to drive and the DVLA, the 20 metre eyesight rule and drink and drug limits.
Carrying a load or towing (Rule 98)
- You MUST NOT overload the vehicle or tow more than your licence allows.
- Any load MUST be secure and MUST NOT stick out dangerously.
- Rule 98 also says to adjust your headlights when the car is heavily loaded so they do not dazzle others.
Towing rules for car licence holders: towing a trailer or caravan.
Scenario: borrowing a friend’s car
You have passed and want to drive a friend’s hatchback. Before you start: check your insurance actually covers you on that car, move the seat and mirrors (theirs will be wrong for you), find the lights, wipers and hazard switch, and check the fuel. If you are wearing heavy boots that catch the pedals, change them.
Common questions
Is it illegal to drive in flip-flops or barefoot in the UK?
No specific law bans them. Rule 97 says clothing and footwear must not prevent you using the controls correctly. If your footwear makes you slip off or catch a pedal, it fails that test, and poor control can lead to a careless driving charge.
Is it illegal to drive with a dirty number plate or lights?
Annex 6 says lights, indicators, reflectors and number plates MUST be kept clean and clear. Clear them before you set off.
Do I have to clear snow off the car roof?
Rule 229 says remove snow that could fall into the path of other road users. Clearing all windows, lights and number plates is a MUST.
How often should I take a break on a long drive?
At least 15 minutes every two hours (Rule 91).
Does the examiner check any of this on the test?
You are asked one “tell me” and one “show me” vehicle safety question. See the show me, tell me questions.
Which theory test topic covers this?
Mainly safety and your vehicle.
Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.
Sources
- Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (89 to 102)” (gov.uk)
- Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Annex 6. Vehicle maintenance, safety and security” (gov.uk)
- Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Driving in adverse weather conditions (226 to 237)” (gov.uk)