Signals, lights and the horn are how drivers talk to each other, and learners are expected to use them correctly from the first lesson. Rules 103 to 116 of The Highway Code, published on GOV.UK, cover signalling, what to do when an officer signals a driver to stop, and the rules on headlights, the horn and hazard lights. This article summarises those rules for learner and new drivers. The Highway Code’s introduction says it applies to England, Scotland and Wales, so Northern Ireland is not covered here. It is general information, and the rules quoted as “MUST” are legal requirements while “should” rules are advice.
Giving signals (Rules 103 and 104)
Rule 103 says signals warn and inform other road users, including pedestrians, of a driver’s intended actions. Drivers should:
- give clear signals in plenty of time, having checked that signalling at that moment is not misleading;
- use them before changing course or direction, stopping or moving off;
- cancel them after use;
- avoid confusing others: for example, someone wanting to stop after a side road should not signal until passing that road, because signalling earlier could suggest a turn into it; and
- use an arm signal to reinforce a signal if needed, remembering that signalling does not give priority.
Rule 104 adds that drivers should watch for other road users’ signals and proceed only when satisfied it is safe, and should be aware that another vehicle’s indicator may not have been cancelled.
Obeying officers and signals (Rules 105 and 109)
Rule 105 says a driver MUST obey signals from police officers, traffic officers and traffic wardens, and signs used by school crossing patrols. Rule 109 requires drivers to obey all traffic light signals and traffic signs giving orders, including temporary ones, and to know, understand and act on other traffic and information signs and road markings.
Being stopped (Rules 106 to 108)
The Code describes three groups who may stop a vehicle:
- Police (Rule 106). Police will attract attention where possible with flashing blue lights, headlights or siren or horn, usually from behind, and direct the driver to pull over by pointing or using the left indicator. The driver MUST pull over and stop as soon as it is safe, then switch off the engine.
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency officers (Rule 107). They can stop vehicles on all roads, including motorways and trunk roads, using flashing amber lights either from the front, asking the driver to follow them to a safe place to stop, or from behind, directing the driver to pull over. It is an offence not to comply.
- Traffic officers (Rule 108). They have powers to stop vehicles on most motorways and some A-class roads in England and Wales. If uniformed officers want to stop a vehicle on safety grounds, such as an insecure load, they will where possible flash amber lights, usually from behind, and direct the driver to pull over. The driver MUST pull over as soon as safe and switch off the engine, and it is an offence not to comply.
Flashing headlights and the horn (Rules 110 to 112)
Rule 110 says headlights should be flashed only to let other road users know a driver is there, and not to convey any other message or to intimidate. Rule 111 says never to assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting a driver to proceed: use your own judgement and proceed carefully.
Rule 112 says the horn should be used only while the vehicle is moving and a driver needs to warn others of their presence, and never aggressively. A driver MUST NOT use the horn while stationary on the road, or when driving in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am, except when another road user poses a danger.
Lighting requirements (Rules 113 to 116)
Rule 113 says drivers MUST:
- ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise;
- use headlights at night, except on a road with lit street lighting, which the Code says is generally restricted to 30 mph, or 20 mph in Wales, unless otherwise specified; and
- use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced.
The Code defines night as the period from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise.
Rule 114 says a driver MUST NOT use lights in a way that would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, and MUST NOT use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced, switching them off when it improves. It also advises that in stationary queues drivers apply the parking brake and, once following traffic has stopped, release the footbrake to reduce glare.
Rule 115 says drivers should use dipped headlights, or dim-dip if fitted, at night in built-up areas and in dull daytime weather so that they can be seen. Headlights should stay dipped when overtaking until level with the other vehicle, then main beam may be used unless it would dazzle oncoming road users, and a driver who is dazzled should slow down and if necessary stop.
Hazard warning lights (Rule 116)
Rule 116 says hazard warning lights may be used when a vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic, but never as an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking. A driver MUST NOT use them while driving or being towed unless on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and needing to warn drivers behind of a hazard or obstruction ahead, and then only for long enough to ensure the warning has been observed.
Right of way
The Code notes that its rules do not give a right of way in any circumstance and that drivers should always give way if it can help avoid an incident.
The bottom line
Rules 103 to 116 ask drivers in England, Scotland and Wales to signal early, clearly and without misleading others, to obey and stop for authorised officers, to use headlights and horn only for warning and visibility, and to keep dazzle and unnecessary lights to a minimum. Rule 108 about traffic officers is stated for England and Wales.
Sources
- GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Introduction”
- GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)”