Category: United Kingdom

Photo: Tudor Smith / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

The vehicle markings in the Highway Code for Great Britain tell you about the vehicle ahead: red and yellow rear markings mean a heavy or long vehicle, projection markers mean an overhanging load, orange hazard plates mean dangerous goods, and a “School bus” sign means children may be getting on or off. This explainer covers each one and what it means for how you drive.

Quick reference

Rear markings on lorries and long vehicles

The Highway Code shows the large goods vehicle rear markings in three positions: left, central and right. They are for lorries over 7,500 kg maximum gross weight and trailers over 3,500 kg. Vertical versions are used on vehicles or combinations over 13 metres long, can be used on those between 11 and 13 metres, and are also used on builders’ skips placed in the road.

What to do: drop back so you can see past, expect wide swings at junctions and roundabouts, and do not overtake on the left as a long vehicle turns. Detail: driving near lorries, buses and large vehicles.

Projection markers

A side marker and an end marker are required when a load or equipment overhangs the front or rear by more than 2 metres. If you see them, the vehicle is effectively longer than it looks. Leave extra room when following, and take care when it turns, because the overhang can sweep across the pavement or the next lane.

Hazard warning plates: dangerous goods

Rule 284 says vehicles carrying dangerous goods in packages are marked with plain orange reflective plates, and road tankers and vehicles carrying tank containers have hazard warning plates. The Highway Code shows panels with diamond symbols for these risks:

• flammable liquid
• toxic substance
• oxidising substance
• non-flammable compressed gas
• radioactive substance
• spontaneously combustible substance
• corrosive substance

You do not need to decode the information on a panel. If you report an incident, describe the labels and markings you can see.

If a dangerous goods vehicle is involved in an incident (Rule 285)

1. Switch off engines. Do not smoke.
2. Keep well away from the vehicle. Do not try to rescue casualties, as you could become one.
3. Call the emergency services and give as much information as you can about the labels and markings on the vehicle.
4. Do not use a mobile phone close to a vehicle carrying flammable loads.

Your wider duties at a collision: after a car accident in the UK.

School bus signs (Rule 209)

The “School bus” sign is shown in the front or rear window of a bus or coach. When you pass a stopped bus showing it, drive carefully and slowly, because children may be getting on or off. More on driving near schools: road users requiring extra care.

Common questions

What do the orange plates on lorries mean?

Dangerous goods. Plain orange reflective plates mean dangerous goods in packages; road tankers and tank containers carry hazard warning plates (Rule 284).

What should I tell 999 about a tanker crash?

As much as you can about the labels and markings on the vehicle (Rule 285), plus the location and direction of travel.

What do red and yellow stripes on the back of a lorry mean?

They are large goods vehicle rear markings, used on vehicles over 7,500 kg and trailers over 3,500 kg.

Do I have to stop for a school bus in the UK?

No law requires you to stop, unlike some other countries. Rule 209 says drive carefully and slowly past a stationary bus showing a “School bus” sign.

Is this in the theory test?

Yes, under other types of vehicle and incidents, accidents and emergencies.

Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Vehicle markings” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Breakdowns and incidents (275 to 287)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)” (gov.uk)

Photo: Ollie Craig / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

At a mini roundabout in Great Britain, give way to traffic from the right and drive round the white central marking: Highway Code Rule 188 says all vehicles MUST pass round it, except large vehicles that physically cannot. Avoid U-turns at mini roundabouts. This explainer covers mini, double mini and multiple roundabouts, and how to read lane markings on spiral-style roundabouts. For normal roundabouts, see Rules 184 to 190 step by step.

Key facts

• Rule 188: approach a mini roundabout like a normal one. You MUST pass round the central markings unless your vehicle is too large.
• U-turns: avoid them at mini roundabouts, and watch for others doing them (Rule 188).
• Rule 189: at a double mini roundabout, treat each one separately and give way to traffic from the right.
• Rule 190: some complex junctions have a series of mini roundabouts. Treat each one separately.
• Where you find them: Know Your Traffic Signs says mini roundabouts are normally on roads with a 30 mph limit or less.

How to drive a mini roundabout

1. Spot it early. Look for the upright mini roundabout sign and the white circle on the road.
2. Mirrors and signal early. Rule 188 warns there is less space to manoeuvre and less time to signal.
3. Stop or slow at the give way line. At a mini roundabout this is usually a broad broken line, though a double line with an upright give way sign may be used.
4. Give way to traffic from the right.
5. Keep left of the white circle. Do not cut across it.
6. Signal left after you pass the exit before yours, if there is time.

What about lorries and buses?

Large vehicles that physically cannot go round the central marking may drive over it. Expect them to use most of the junction, and wait rather than squeezing past.

Double mini roundabouts

Two mini roundabouts close together. Rule 189 says treat each one separately and give way to traffic from your right at each.

Scenario: turning right at a double mini

You want the far right exit. At the first roundabout you give way to the right, go round, and then stop again at the second give way line if traffic is coming from its right. Do not assume that once you have joined the first roundabout you have priority at the second.

Multiple and “magic” roundabouts

Rule 190 covers junctions with a series of mini roundabouts at each intersection. The Highway Code does not use any special name for these. The rule is simple: treat each mini roundabout separately and follow the normal rules at each one. Take them slowly, look right at every give way line, and watch for vehicles crossing in front of you.

Spiral roundabouts and lane markings

The Highway Code has no rule that uses the word “spiral”. On large roundabouts, Know Your Traffic Signs says some roundabouts have lane markings to guide drivers to the right exit, and are often controlled by traffic signals. The rules that apply are:

• Rule 184: use signs, signals and lane markings to get into the correct lane before you reach the roundabout.
• Rule 186: pick your lane for your exit on approach. If there are more than three entry lanes, use the most appropriate one.
• Follow your lane. Where solid or broken lines carry your lane round towards an exit, stay in it unless the markings let you change.
• Segregated left-turn lanes: some roundabouts have a separate left lane where you do not give way to traffic on the roundabout. If chevrons between it and the roundabout are bounded by solid lines, do not cross them except in an emergency, so choose your lane early.

Line meanings: road markings guide and lane discipline on multi-lane roads.

Mini roundabouts on the driving test

Mini roundabouts are common on residential roads. Faults to avoid: not giving way to the right, cutting over the white circle, and signalling late or wrongly. See the top reasons people fail and mirror, signal, manoeuvre.

Common questions

Can you do a U-turn at a mini roundabout?

Rule 188 says you should avoid making U-turns at mini roundabouts. It is advice, not a ban, but it is the safe choice.

Can you drive over a mini roundabout?

Only if your vehicle is too large to go round. Everyone else MUST go round the central markings.

Who has priority at a mini roundabout?

Traffic from your right, the same as a normal roundabout, unless signs or markings say otherwise.

Do you signal at a mini roundabout?

Yes, use the normal roundabout signals, but there is less time, so signal early and clearly.

What if two cars arrive at a mini roundabout at once?

Each gives way to traffic from its right. If it is unclear who should go, wait and make eye contact rather than forcing it.

Related: road junctions and driving near lorries and buses. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Using the road (159 to 203)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “Know Your Traffic Signs”, 2023 edition, road markings section (gov.uk)

Photo: Sinitta Leunen / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

Tailgating in Great Britain means driving so close you could not stop if the vehicle ahead braked suddenly, and the Highway Code calls it dangerous and intimidating. Under Rule 144 you MUST NOT drive dangerously, without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for others. This guide covers what Rules 144 to 147 mean in practice, what to do when someone tailgates or provokes you, and how queues and slow traffic fit in.

Key facts

• Rule 144: careless, inconsiderate and dangerous driving are all offences (Road Traffic Act 1988, sections 2 and 3).
• Rule 126: leave at least a two-second gap on fast roads; double it in the wet.
• Rule 147: do not get drawn into someone else’s bad driving. If you are agitated, pull over and calm down.
• Penalty: a careless driving fixed penalty was set at £100 and 3 points from 16 August 2013, with tailgating named as an example. In court, careless driving (CD10) carries 3 to 9 points and dangerous driving (DD40) 3 to 11. Check current amounts on gov.uk.

What counts as careless, inconsiderate or dangerous? (Rule 144)

Tailgating is given as an example of careless driving in the gov.uk announcement of the 2013 fixed penalties.

As a new driver, 6 points within two years of passing means you lose your licence: see the New Drivers Act. All codes: driving penalties and endorsement codes.

Rule 145 adds that you MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to get lawful access to a property or in an emergency.

Someone is tailgating you: what to do

1. Do not speed up to get away, and do not brake-test them.
2. Gradually increase the gap to the vehicle in front, so you can brake gently if you need to.
3. Keep to the speed limit and signal early.
4. When safe, let them pass, for example by moving back to the left lane on a dual carriageway.
5. If you feel stressed, find a safe place to stop (Rule 147).

The gap you need and why: stopping distances and the two-second rule.

Road rage and driving under pressure (Rules 146 and 147)

The Highway Code has no separate “road rage” rule. Rule 147 covers it:

• Be patient. Other drivers, especially learners and older drivers, make mistakes.
• Do not react to someone else’s bad behaviour.
• Do not drive up close to someone who pulled out in front of you to intimidate them.
• You MUST NOT throw anything out of a vehicle.

Rule 146 says adapt to the road and conditions and do not treat the speed limit as a target. Be ready for the road to be blocked beyond a blind bend, for vehicles emerging at junctions, and for unmarked junctions in side roads and country lanes where nobody has priority. Be prepared to stop at road works, crossings and traffic lights, and try to predict what pedestrians and cyclists will do: a child looking the other way may step out without seeing you.

Pressure as a learner

A queue behind your L plates does not change the rules. Drive at a speed that is safe for you and the road, and let faster traffic pass when you can safely pull in. Rule 217 asks other drivers to be particularly patient with learner and young drivers. See road users requiring extra care.

Queues and slow-moving traffic

• Rule 151: leave enough space to stop and to move round the vehicle in front if needed. Do not change lanes to the left to overtake, and do not block side road entrances.
• Rule 114: in a stationary queue, apply the parking brake and, once the traffic behind has stopped, release the footbrake so your brake lights do not dazzle the driver behind.

Box junctions and keeping side roads clear: road junctions explained.

Common questions

Is tailgating illegal in the UK?

There is no separate tailgating offence, but it is enforced as careless or dangerous driving. The gov.uk announcement of the 2013 fixed penalties names tailgating as an example of careless driving.

How much is the fine for tailgating?

The careless driving fixed penalty was set at £100 and 3 points in 2013. If it goes to court, penalties are higher. Check the current figure on gov.uk.

How close is too close?

Less than a two-second gap on a fast dry road. Rule 126 says that gap should be at least doubled on wet roads.

Should I brake-test a tailgater?

No. Braking suddenly to warn someone could itself be careless or dangerous driving. Increase your gap instead.

Can I flash my headlights at a slow driver?

No. Rule 110 says only flash headlights to let others know you are there, never to intimidate or send another message. See signalling correctly.

What does the theory test ask about this?

These scenarios appear in the attitude and safety margins topics.

Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Penalty points (endorsements): Endorsement codes and penalty points” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport and Home Office, “New penalties for careless driving come into force” (gov.uk)

Photo: Mariusz / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

Traffic calming measures in Great Britain are physical features such as road humps, speed cushions and road narrowings, built to slow drivers down. Highway Code Rule 153 says slow down, keep a reduced speed through the whole stretch, give way where signs tell you to, and do not overtake. This guide also covers 20 mph zones, Home Zones, Quiet Lanes and single-track country roads.

Key facts

• Rule 153: keep to a reduced speed along the whole traffic-calmed stretch, not just at each hump. Do not overtake there.
• 20 mph zone: the entry sign warns of a 20 mph limit and traffic-calming features that may not be signed individually.
• Home Zones and Quiet Lanes (Rule 218): people may be using the whole street. Drive slowly and be ready to stop.
• Passing places (Rules 155 and 156): pull in on your left or wait opposite one on your right. Never park in one.

Types of traffic calming and how to drive them

At an unprioritised narrowing, Know Your Traffic Signs says do not accelerate on the approach, keep a steady low speed, and let any cyclists go ahead of you.

Sign shapes and meanings: warning signs and road markings.

20 mph zones vs 20 mph limits

A 20 mph zone entry sign tells you two things: the limit is 20 mph, and there are traffic-calming features ahead that may not be signed one by one. Know Your Traffic Signs says to keep a steady low speed and avoid repeated speeding up and slowing down. Rule 152 notes that a 20 mph limit may apply in residential streets. More on limits: UK speed limits.

Home Zones, Quiet Lanes and shared space

• Home Zones: residential streets designed for people as well as traffic. Children may be playing anywhere in the road. Signs mark the entrance and end.
• Quiet Lanes: some minor rural roads in England and Wales, signed for shared use by walkers, cyclists, horse riders and motor vehicles.
• Shared space: streets where drivers, cyclists and pedestrians share the same space.

For all three the advice is the same: drive slowly and carefully, and be prepared to stop to give people extra time to make room for you to pass safely (Rule 218 and Know Your Traffic Signs).

Residential streets and country roads (Rules 152 to 156)

In town (Rule 152)

Drive slowly and carefully. Watch for vehicles pulling out, car doors opening, children and cyclists.

Country roads (Rule 154)

Slow down for bends and junctions. Expect pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists, farm vehicles and mud on the road.

Single-track roads (Rules 155 and 156)

1. Look well ahead for oncoming vehicles.
2. Pull into a passing place on your left, or wait opposite one on your right.
3. Give way to vehicles coming uphill where you can.
4. Be ready to reverse to a passing place if needed.
5. If a driver behind wants to overtake, use a passing place in the same way to let them by.
6. Slow down when passing pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.
7. Do not park in passing places.

More: learning to drive on rural roads.

Common questions

Can I overtake in a traffic-calmed area?

Rule 153 says you should not.

What speed should I go over speed humps?

The Highway Code gives no figure. Slow down before each hump and keep a reduced speed through the whole area.

Who has priority at a road narrowing?

Whoever the signs give priority to. If there are no signs, be ready to give way and let cyclists through first.

Is a Home Zone the same as a 20 mph zone?

No. A Home Zone has its own entry and end signs and means people may use the whole street. A 20 mph zone sets a speed limit and warns of traffic calming.

Can I park in a passing place on a single-track road?

No. Rule 156 says do not park in passing places.

Related: road users requiring extra care and pedestrian crossings. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “Know Your Traffic Signs”, 2023 edition, traffic calming section (gov.uk)

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

1. Seat adjusted so you can press the pedals fully and reach the controls.
2. Head restraint adjusted to reduce the risk of neck and spine injury in a collision.
3. Mirrors set for “comfort, full control and maximum vision” (Rule 97). Set them after the seat, because moving the seat changes what they show.
4. Nothing loose in the footwell that could roll under the pedals, and no heavy items free to fly round the cabin.
5. Seat belt on. Who must wear one: seat belt and child seat law.
6. 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.
7. 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)

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)

Photo: Dan Wright / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

Motorcyclists are easy to miss, especially at junctions, where the Highway Code warns they “could be approaching faster than you think”. Rules 211 to 213 tell drivers in Great Britain to look for them before emerging, give them at least as much room as a car when overtaking, and expect sudden changes of direction. Rules 83 to 88 and Annex 2 explain how riders are trained and equipped, which helps you predict what they will do.

Key rules for drivers

• Rule 211: always look for motorcyclists before you emerge from a junction. Watch for riders on your inside when turning right across slow or stopped traffic.
• Rule 212: give motorcyclists at least as much room as a car when overtaking, and more in bad weather, high winds and at night.
• Rule 212: a rider looking over their shoulder may be about to pull out, turn or change direction. Give them time and space.
• Rule 213: riders may swerve suddenly to avoid potholes, drain covers, or wet, oily or icy patches. Give plenty of room.

Why drivers miss motorcycles at junctions

Rule 86 notes that drivers may not see a motorcyclist, or may misjudge their distance or speed, especially at junctions. A narrow bike is easily hidden by a windscreen pillar, a parked van or a hedge.

How to check properly before emerging

1. Slow early so you have time to look.
2. Look right, left and right again, moving your head to see round the pillars.
3. Look twice at any gap. A bike may be inside it.
4. If a vehicle is coming, assume a motorcycle could be overtaking it.
5. Only emerge when you are sure the road is clear.

More junction technique: road junctions and turning right.

Filtering, queues and blind spots

Rule 88 tells riders they may filter through slow traffic, taking care and keeping speed low. So in a queue:

• check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes or pulling out of a queue
• expect a rider passing on either side in slow traffic
• when turning right across stopped traffic, watch for a rider coming up the outside of the queue
• if an oncoming driver stops and leaves you a gap to turn through, remember they cannot see a rider filtering along the inside of their queue. Edge forward only until you can see, and wait if you cannot

Lane changes done properly: mirror, signal, manoeuvre.

What riders must do (Rules 83 to 88)

Learner riders and L plates (Annex 2)

• CBT first: a provisional motorcycle licence holder must complete Compulsory Basic Training before riding on the road.
• After CBT: they can ride a motorcycle up to 125 cc and 11 kW on L plates (D plates in Wales) for up to two years.
• No passengers or trailers until they pass their test.
• No motorways: provisional motorcycle licence holders are listed in Rule 253 as not allowed on motorways.
• Mopeds: riders can be 16, on a provisional moped licence with CBT.

An L plate rider is inexperienced and may be riding unaccompanied after CBT. Give them extra room and patience.

Common questions

How much room should I give a motorcyclist when overtaking?

At least as much as you would give a car, and more in bad weather, high winds and at night (Rule 212).

Can motorcyclists filter through traffic?

The Highway Code tells riders to take care and keep speed low when filtering in slow traffic (Rule 88), so expect it.

Can a learner motorcyclist carry a passenger?

No. Not until they pass their test.

Can learner motorcyclists use the motorway?

No. Rule 253 bars holders of provisional motorcycle licences from motorways.

Why do motorcyclists move around in the lane?

To avoid potholes, drain covers and slippery patches (Rule 213), and to be seen. Leave room for sudden changes of direction.

Is this in the theory test?

Yes, mainly in vulnerable road users. See the vulnerable road users topic.

Related: Highway Code rules for cyclists, road users requiring extra care and UK licence categories. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Rules for motorcyclists (83 to 88)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Motorways (253 to 274)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Annex 2. Motorcycle licence requirements” (gov.uk)

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.

1. Slow right down as soon as you see animals or a warning sign.
2. If the herd fills the road, stop and switch off the engine.
3. Wait for the herd to pass or for the person in charge to signal you on.
4. Move off gently. No horn, no revving, no fast acceleration.
5. 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:

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:

1. Stop, in a place of relative safety if possible.
2. Give your name and address, the vehicle owner’s name and address, and the registration number to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask.
3. 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)

Photo: Eleanore Stohner / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs can legally use some roads in Great Britain. Class 3 vehicles can travel at up to 8 mph on the road and 4 mph on the pavement, and they must not use motorways. Highway Code Rules 36 to 46 set the rules for users; Rule 220 tells drivers what to expect. This explainer covers both, so you know what you may meet as a learner or new driver and how to pass safely.

Key facts

• Class 2: top speed 4 mph (6 km/h), designed for pavements.
• Class 3: top speed 8 mph (12 km/h), can be used on the road and the pavement.
• Pavement limit: 4 mph (6 km/h) for all, including in pedestrian areas.
• Motorways: must not be used.
• Dual carriageways over 50 mph: should not be used. If they are, a flashing amber beacon is required.

Class 2 and Class 3: what is the difference?

Manual wheelchairs are Class 1. All users follow the rules for other vehicles on the road and the rules for pedestrians on the pavement (Rule 37). On the pavement, users should give pedestrians priority, especially people with impaired sight or hearing who may not know they are there (Rule 38). When moving onto the road, they should look round first, use a dropped kerb where possible, and take any kerb at right angles (Rule 40).

What users must do on the road (Rules 41 to 46)

• Lights: must be used at night. Lights, indicators and horns follow the same rules as other vehicles.
• Visibility: users are advised to wear reflective items, even in daytime and at dusk.
• Junctions: to turn right, a user can stop on the left and wait for a gap, or cross as a pedestrian.
• Big roundabouts: with two or more lanes, users should use the pavement or avoid the roundabout.
• Parking: normal parking rules apply, and Blue Badge concessions apply to vehicles showing a valid badge.
• Motorways: not allowed (Rule 46, and also listed in Rule 253).
• Dual carriageways: should not be used where the limit is over 50 mph. A flashing amber beacon is required there and on any other dual carriageway.

What drivers should do (Rule 220)

Rule 220 reminds drivers these vehicles travel at no more than 8 mph. On a dual carriageway with a limit over 50 mph they must show a flashing amber beacon, but on other roads you get no such warning.

1. Expect them. Look for small, slow vehicles on the road where there is no pavement, near shops and in towns.
2. Judge the closing speed. At 30 mph you approach an 8 mph scooter much faster than a cyclist.
3. Overtake with room. Only pass when you can give plenty of space and see the road ahead is clear. General rules: overtaking rules.
4. Watch at junctions. A user turning right may stop on the left to wait for a gap, or cross as a pedestrian.
5. Do not park across dropped kerbs. Users rely on them to get on and off the pavement (Rule 40).
6. Flashing amber beacon ahead on a dual carriageway? It is a slow vehicle. Check mirrors early and change lanes in good time.

Scenario: narrow road with no pavement

A Class 3 scooter is in the road ahead, travelling the same way as you, and oncoming traffic means you cannot pass with enough room. Hold back and wait for a gap with enough room, rather than squeezing past. Hierarchy of road users rules apply: see Rules H1, H2 and H3.

Common questions

Can mobility scooters go on the road?

Class 3 scooters can, at up to 8 mph. Class 2 should use the pavement and only use the road where there is none.

What is the speed limit for a mobility scooter on the pavement?

4 mph (6 km/h), for every class.

Can mobility scooters use the motorway?

No. Rule 46 and Rule 253 say they must not.

Can a mobility scooter use a dual carriageway?

Not where the limit is over 50 mph. If it does use one, it must have a flashing amber beacon, and one is required on all other dual carriageways too.

Do they need lights?

Yes, at night.

Why does this matter for the theory test?

Questions on vulnerable road users can include powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters. See the vulnerable road users topic.

Related: road users requiring extra care and Highway Code rules for pedestrians. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Rules for users of powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters (36 to 46)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Motorways (253 to 274)” (gov.uk)

Photo: Ben Prater / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

As of November 2026 there is no minimum learning period for car learners in Great Britain. You can book the practical test as soon as you hold a provisional licence and have passed the theory test. The Department for Transport consulted from 7 January to 11 May 2026 on adding a minimum time between the theory and practical tests, and possibly minimum hours, a syllabus and a logbook. No decision has been published. This explainer sets out what was proposed and what it could mean for you.

Key facts

• Status: consultation closed 11 May 2026. DfT says it is analysing the feedback. Nothing has changed in law.
• Applies to: category B (car) learners in Great Britain. Motorcycles and heavy vehicles are dealt with separately.
• Length: not decided. DfT gave no preferred option and asked how long the period should be.
• Launched with: the government’s Road Safety Strategy, published 7 January 2026.
• Northern Ireland: already has a 6 month minimum learning period under Graduated Driver Licensing (from 1 October 2026).

What is a minimum learning period?

A minimum learning period (MLP) is a rule that you must spend a set time, or a set amount of practice, as a learner before you can take the practical test. In the DfT proposal the clock would run from passing the theory test to taking the practical test.

What did the 2026 consultation propose?

DfT asked for views on four possible parts, which could be combined in any way:

Is it 3 months or 6 months?

Neither has been chosen. The consultation document does not propose a specific length. It notes that elsewhere minimum periods range from 3 to 12 months, for example 6 months in New York and California. It cites 40 to 50 supervised hours in North America and 50 to 120 hours in Australasia as international comparisons for hours, again without proposing a figure.

Who might be exempt?

DfT asked whether exemptions should apply and to whom. It raised people in certain jobs, carers, disabled people and holders of foreign licences, and said there are “no simple solutions”. It also asked whether new rules should cover drivers who lose their licence under the New Drivers Act or are ordered by a court to retake the test.

Why the government is considering it

From the consultation document, for Great Britain in 2024:

• 273 people were killed in collisions involving young car drivers aged 17 to 24.
• Drivers aged 17 to 24 were 6% of licence holders but were involved in 24% of fatal and serious collisions.
• Voluntary schemes trialled in the Driver2020 project had low take-up (3% to 16.5%) and no detectable effect on collisions.

Read more on the risk and the habits that reduce it: why young drivers crash more.

What it means if you are learning now

• Nothing changes yet. Book and take your test under the current rules.
• No start date exists. DfT has not published a response or a timetable. Any change would need new rules first.
• Plan for varied practice anyway. The proposed syllabus areas (night, different roads, weather) are also what catch new drivers out. See driving at night and rural roads.
• Watch your theory certificate. It lasts 2 years. If a minimum period comes in, DfT has asked whether that should be extended.

How Northern Ireland compares

Northern Ireland already has a Mandatory Minimum Learning Period of 6 months for car learners whose provisional entitlement started on or after 1 October 2026, plus a logbook and a 15 module Programme of Training. See GDL in Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland guide.

Common questions

Is there a minimum learning period in the UK now?

Not in Great Britain. Northern Ireland has a 6 month period under GDL.

When will a minimum learning period start in England?

No date has been set. The consultation closed on 11 May 2026 and DfT has not yet published its response.

Will I have to wait 6 months after my theory test?

Not under current rules. No length has been decided.

Will there be a minimum number of driving lessons?

DfT asked about minimum supervised hours, not lessons, and has not proposed a number.

Is a lower drink drive limit for new drivers coming too?

The consultation says a lower limit for novice drivers in England and Wales is being considered in a separate consultation on motoring offences. It is not law. See drink and drug driving limits.

Should I rush to pass before it changes?

No date exists, so there is no deadline to beat. Book when you are ready.

Related: driving test booking rules 2026 and the New Drivers Act. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “Introducing a minimum learning period for learner drivers” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “Introducing a minimum learning period for learner drivers (category B driving licence)”, consultation document (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “Road safety strategy” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Theory test: cars: Pass mark and test result” (gov.uk)
• nidirect, “What Graduated Driver Licensing means for learner drivers” (nidirect.gov.uk)