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A green badge in the windscreen shows that a driving instructor is on the register of approved driving instructors (ADIs), but registration is not permanent. This article summarises the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) ADI register guide on GOV.UK, which applies in England, Scotland and Wales; Northern Ireland has a separate publication. DVSA says the guide and the voluntary code of practice will be replaced by a new mandatory code sometime between late 2026 and early 2027, so details may change. It is general information for learners and trainee instructors.

Joining the register

A person can register as an ADI after passing all three qualifying tests, and must register within one year of passing the part 3 test. Registration then lasts 4 years. It allows the holder to describe themselves as a DVSA Approved Driving Instructor (Car) and to charge for driving instruction. The guide states that it is illegal to charge for driving lessons without being on the register or holding a trainee licence, and that the badge or trainee licence must be displayed in the windscreen during paid instruction. How the qualification route works is explained in the guide to becoming an approved driving instructor.

Separate from registration, the guide lists the general legal requirements for anyone accompanying a learner driver: being 21 or over, being qualified to drive the same category of vehicle, and having held a full licence for that category for at least 3 years. Registration is what allows an instructor to charge.

The ADI Registrar, who works for DVSA, is responsible for the register. The Registrar can refuse entry, refuse to let someone stay on the register, remove someone in certain circumstances or refuse to let a previously removed person rejoin.

Renewal and re-registration

An instructor is responsible for renewing the registration every 4 years and must still be a fit and proper person. A criminal records check must be completed before renewing; the guide says it normally takes around 3 months but can take longer. Someone whose registration ran out within the last 12 months can re-register, again after a criminal records check. If it ran out more than 12 months ago, the person has to start the process of becoming an instructor again.

The meaning of fit and proper, including the factors the Registrar weighs, is covered in the guide to DBS checks and ADI registration.

Duties between renewals

The guide says an ADI must write to the Registrar within 7 days of getting a caution or conviction, including a binding over order, entry on the sex offenders register, being barred from working with children, or any motoring or non-motoring offence including penalty points. Name, home address and business address changes must be updated within 7 days. An ADI must also take and pass a standards check when DVSA asks, and can be removed for failing to meet the required standards, failing to attend or refusing to take one. How the check works is explained in the guide to the ADI standards check.

Suspension, removal and appeals

Removal normally starts with a letter from the Registrar saying that removal is intended. The instructor can respond and supply evidence. Usually the name is not removed until 28 days after the letter, which allows an appeal; if there is no appeal, the name is removed. The Registrar can also use an immediate removal process, in which the name is removed within 14 days unless the instructor appeals to the General Regulatory Chamber within 10 days of the letter or the appeal succeeds.

The Registrar can suspend a registration immediately if they think the instructor poses a significant threat to public safety. The guide states that an instructor cannot be paid for giving driving instruction while suspended. Any instructor who disagrees with a registration decision can appeal to the General Regulatory Chamber.

Voluntary extras and what pupils can check

DVSA encourages continuing professional development, which is voluntary, and instructors can take a voluntary DVSA special test that gives a gold, silver, bronze or fail grade that may be used in advertising. Instructors can also sign up to the voluntary code of practice, discussed in the guide to what instructors promise pupils.

For a learner, the practical points are the badge colour and the complaint route. GOV.UK says a green badge means a qualified instructor and a pink badge a trainee, and that a person who charges without either can be reported to DVSA. Learners who have paid for lessons in advance may want to read the guide to block booking driving lessons before committing to a large package.

The bottom line

ADI registration lasts 4 years and must be renewed by an instructor who is still fit and proper, with a criminal records check that can take about 3 months. Cautions, convictions and changes of details have to be reported within 7 days, DVSA can require a standards check, and the Registrar can suspend or remove an instructor, who can appeal to the General Regulatory Chamber. The mandatory code of practice due between late 2026 and early 2027 will replace the guide, so these rules should be rechecked on GOV.UK.

Sources

• Approved driving instructor (ADI) register guide, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (gov.uk)
• Driving lessons and learning to drive: taking driving lessons (gov.uk)

Approved driving instructors (ADIs) in Great Britain work to a code of practice that sets out how they should treat pupils, handle money and deal with complaints. At present the code is voluntary. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has published a replacement that will be mandatory, to be introduced sometime between late 2026 and early 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed. This article summarises both, using GOV.UK pages that apply in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has separate arrangements. It is general information, and the new code is not yet in force.

The current voluntary code

GOV.UK describes the existing code as voluntary for ADIs to follow. It was agreed between DVSA and the National Associations Strategic Partnership, whose member groups are the Approved Driving Instructors National Joint Council, the Driving Instructors Association and the Motor Schools Association of Great Britain. Those professional bodies expect their members to follow it, and an ADI who agrees to it can update their registration to show so. The code was first published in 2017, and DVSA updated its personal conduct section on 20 November 2025.

What it already promises pupils

The voluntary code groups its commitments into four headings.

• Personal conduct: behaving professionally, complying with equality, consumer and data protection law, avoiding inappropriate physical contact and language, avoiding involvement in a client’s personal affairs, respecting confidentiality, and using social media responsibly.
• Business dealings: safeguarding and accounting for money paid in advance, and making the code and terms of business available on or before the first lesson. Those terms should include the price and duration of lessons, cancellation terms, refund terms and the complaints procedure.
• Progress and advice: keeping a record of progress, including the number of lessons provided, and advising when to apply for a driving test.
• Advertising: claims must be clear, fair and verifiable under the CAP codes, and any pass rate should state how it was calculated.

Cost-related terms are explored in the guide to comparing real lesson costs, and prepaid packages in the guide to block booking driving lessons.

What changes under the mandatory code

DVSA says the new code will replace the ADI register guide and the voluntary code. Instructors will have to declare that they have read and agreed to it when they apply to become an instructor, renew their registration or apply for a trainee licence. It will also set out what it means to be a fit and proper person. The ADI Registrar may issue a formal warning, carry out a standards check or investigation, or suspend and remove an instructor who does not comply.

The published wording is specific. It says instructors must not enter a sexual or romantic relationship with someone they are instructing, and that the Registrar could remove an instructor following a complaint of this kind from a pupil or relative. Instructors must not use a mobile phone or hand-held device while instructing, including in hands-free mode, and may receive 6 penalty points for using one in a moving vehicle. They must display their badge or trainee certificate in the windscreen when giving paid instruction.

Money, lessons and terms of business

The new code will add duties that bear directly on pupils. Instructors will have to keep accurate records of lessons completed and hours delivered, tell pupils their progress and what further training is needed, account for and protect money paid, particularly in advance, and provide the instruction paid for. Terms of business must cover contact details, price and duration, cancellation, refunds, handling of personal data and how to complain, and should be given in writing before lessons begin.

The code lists conduct for which the Registrar can remove an instructor from the register: giving lessons shorter than agreed, instruction below the expected standard, repeatedly arriving late and repeatedly cancelling lessons. It also says instructors must make sure any learning materials developed using AI are accurate and in line with national standards. See the guide to instructor car requirements for vehicle rules.

Safeguarding and fit and proper

The new code will require instructors to protect all pupils from harm, especially children under 18 and vulnerable adults, to maintain professional boundaries and to avoid inappropriate contact with pupils outside lessons, including through personal social media. It will also require instructors to tell DVSA within 7 days if they are the subject of an allegation, are cautioned or convicted of an offence, including motoring offences, or are barred from working with children, and failing to report may itself be treated as misconduct. The fit and proper test is discussed in the guide to DBS checks and ADI registration, and instructor assessment in the guide to the ADI standards check.

If something goes wrong

The existing code says complaints should first go to the instructor, driving school or contractor under their complaints procedure. If the matter is not resolved, a client who thinks the business service is unsatisfactory can contact a local Citizens Advice, and a client unhappy with the instructor’s professional service can email the ADI Registrar at the address given in the code. DVSA says it uses the code when assessing complaints. The complaint route is covered further in the guide to complaining about an instructor.

The bottom line

Today the ADI code of practice is voluntary and promises pupils professional conduct, written terms of business, safeguarded prepayments, a progress record and fair advertising. DVSA plans a mandatory replacement sometime between late 2026 and early 2027, which instructors must declare they have agreed to when applying or renewing, with clearer rules on safeguarding, records, money, phones and reporting. The new code is not yet in force, so pupils should still ask any instructor for their terms of business before the first lesson.

Sources

• Driving instructor code of practice, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, last updated 23 September 2026 (gov.uk)
• Approved driving instructor (ADI) code of practice, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (gov.uk)
• Driving instructor code of practice (effective date to be confirmed), Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (gov.uk)

No rule sets a minimum number of driving lessons, and no official figure says how many a typical learner needs. What the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) does publish is a skills framework of 27 driving skills, each with five progress levels, and a driver’s record for tracking them. This article summarises the GOV.UK page on taking driving lessons, DVSA’s “Ready to Pass?” guidance and DVSA’s instructor guidance on recording pupil progress, which apply in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has different rules for choosing an instructor. It is general information.

What the rules say about the number of lessons

GOV.UK states there is no minimum number of lessons a learner must have, or hours they must practise driving, and that how many lessons are needed depends on how quickly the learner learns. DVSA’s Ready to Pass? guidance repeats the point: how quickly someone progresses depends on how they learn, which is different for everyone. Instructors set their own prices, and there is no minimum or maximum cost, so the cost of reaching a given standard varies with both pace and price; the guide to comparing real lesson costs covers that side.

DVSA adds that research shows learners who combine professional lessons with private practice tend to do better in their test and become safer drivers. Private practice must be supervised by someone who meets the legal rules, and the car must display L plates.

The 27 skills

DVSA divides the recommended learning-to-drive syllabus into 27 skills across eight groups: the basics (skills 1 to 4), control and positioning (5 to 7), observation, signalling and planning (8 to 13), junctions, roundabouts and crossings (14 to 16), manoeuvres (17 to 20), road types (21 to 23), driving conditions (24 to 26) and following routes (27). The basics include legal responsibilities, safety checks, cockpit checks and security, and skill 27 covers driving independently by following sat nav directions or traffic signs.

The skills are explained in more detail in “The Official DVSA Guide to Learning to Drive”.

The five levels of progress

Each skill has five levels, as defined in DVSA’s instructor guidance:

• Introduced: the subject is introduced and the pupil can follow instructions.
• Helped: the pupil is improving but still needs a bit of help.
• Prompted: the pupil sometimes needs prompting, especially in a new or unusual situation.
• Independent: the pupil deals with it consistently, confidently and independently.
• Reflection: in conversation, the pupil shows they understand how things would have been different if they had done something differently, and can see why perfecting the skill makes them safer and more fuel-efficient.

Ready to Pass? says working through the levels takes time and that learners move through them at different speeds for different skills. It describes level 5 across all 27 skills as the point at which a learner is ready for the test. The test itself is outside this guide.

The driver’s record

DVSA publishes a driver’s record that lets a learner and instructor see which skills need attention, and learners can use it to note questions from private practice to raise at the next lesson. GOV.UK says a form to record progress with an instructor can be downloaded. Ready to Pass? adds that an instructor may use a different tracking form or app, which is acceptable as long as the learner is working towards the behaviours described at level 5. Moving a learner’s progress between instructors is covered in the guide to changing driving instructors.

For someone comparing instructors, one practical question follows: which form or app will be used, and how often will the skills be reviewed together? Because the framework is national, a clear answer makes it easier to judge whether lessons are building towards the same standard, whatever the price or lesson length. The guidance suggests asking after each lesson which skills felt more confident, where prompting was needed and what could be done differently, and sharing those reflections with the instructor.

Checking the instructor

Anyone paid to teach driving must be either a qualified approved driving instructor (ADI) or a trainee instructor, according to GOV.UK. Instructors display a windscreen badge to show they are registered with DVSA: green for a qualified instructor and pink for a trainee. A person who charges for lessons without being either can be reported to DVSA, and a learner who is unhappy with an instructor’s service or behaviour can complain. The complaint route is explained in the guide to complaining about an instructor, and choosing one in the guide to how to choose a good driving instructor.

The bottom line

There is no minimum number of driving lessons or practice hours in Great Britain, and no official average; progress depends on the learner. DVSA instead frames learning as 27 skills, each moving through five levels from introduced to reflection, tracked with a driver’s record shared between learner and instructor. DVSA says learners who combine professional lessons with private practice tend to do better, and a green or pink badge confirms the instructor is registered.

Sources

• Driving lessons and learning to drive: taking driving lessons (gov.uk)
• Keep track of your progress learning to drive, Ready to Pass?, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (readytopass.campaign.gov.uk)
• Learning the skills you need to drive safely, Ready to Pass?, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (readytopass.campaign.gov.uk)
• How to record your pupils’ progress, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (gov.uk)

This article summarises Rules 170 to 173 and 179 to 183 on junctions and turning, and Rules 200 to 203 on turning round and reversing, all published on GOV.UK. It leaves out the rules on traffic lights, box junctions and roundabouts, which the site covers separately. The Highway Code’s introduction says it applies to England, Scotland and Wales, so Northern Ireland is not covered. It is general information. “MUST” rules are legal requirements and “should” rules are advice.

Extra care at junctions (Rule 170)

Rule 170 says drivers should take extra care at junctions and lists specific points:

• watch for cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians, including powered wheelchair and mobility scooter users, who are not always easy to see and may not have seen or heard a vehicle approaching from behind;
• give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which the driver is turning, since if they have started to cross they have priority;
• stay behind cyclists, horse riders, horse-drawn vehicles and motorcyclists at junctions even if they are waiting to turn and are positioned close to the kerb;
• watch for long vehicles that may have to use the whole width of the road to turn;
• not assume that a vehicle coming from the right and signalling left will actually turn; and
• look all around before emerging and wait for a gap large enough to cross or join safely.

Stop and Give Way (Rules 171 and 172)

Rule 171 says a driver MUST stop behind the line at a junction with a “Stop” sign and a solid white line across the road, then wait for a safe gap before moving off. Rule 172 says the approach to a junction may have a “Give Way” sign or a triangle marked on the road, and a driver MUST give way to traffic on the main road when emerging from a junction with broken white lines across the road.

Dual carriageways (Rule 173)

Rule 173 says that when crossing or turning right at a dual carriageway, the driver should first assess whether the central reservation is deep enough to protect the full length of the vehicle. If it is, each half can be treated as a separate road, waiting in the central reservation for a safe gap in the second half. If the central reservation is too shallow for the vehicle’s length, the driver should wait until both carriageways can be crossed in one go.

Turning right (Rules 179 to 181)

Well before turning right, Rule 179 says drivers should:

• use their mirrors to know the position and movement of traffic behind;
• give a right-turn signal;
• take up a position just left of the middle of the road, or in the space marked for traffic turning right; and
• leave room for other vehicles to pass on the left, if possible.

Rule 180 says the driver should wait for a safe gap between themselves and any oncoming vehicle, watching for cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians and other road users. They should check the mirrors and blind spot again to make sure they are not being overtaken, then make the turn without cutting the corner. The Code advises great care when turning into a main road, where traffic must be watched in both directions.

Rule 181 covers crossroads where an oncoming vehicle is also turning right. There are two methods. In the first, drivers turn right side to right side, keeping the other vehicle on their right and turning behind it, which the Code says is generally safer because of the clear view of approaching traffic when completing the turn. In the second, they turn left side to left side, turning in front of each other, which can block the view of oncoming vehicles, so extra care is needed because cyclists and motorcyclists in particular may be hidden. The Code says road layout, markings or the other vehicle’s position can determine which course to take.

Turning left (Rules 182 and 183)

Rule 182 says drivers should use their mirrors and give a left-turn signal well before turning left. They should not overtake just before turning left, and should watch for traffic coming up on the left before making the turn, especially in a large vehicle, because cyclists, motorcyclists and other road users may be hidden from view. Rule 183 says that when turning, drivers should keep as close to the left as is safe and practicable, and give way to any vehicles using a bus lane, cycle lane, cycle track or tramway from either direction, including when they are passing slow-moving or stationary vehicles on either side.

Turning round and reversing (Rules 200 to 203)

Rule 200 says a driver who needs to turn the vehicle around should wait for a safe place and try not to reverse or turn round in a busy road, finding a quiet side road or driving round a block instead. Rule 201 says not to reverse from a side road into a main road, and, when using a driveway, to reverse in and drive out if possible.

Rule 202 says a driver should look carefully before reversing by:

• using all mirrors;
• checking the blind spot behind the vehicle; and
• checking that there are no pedestrians, particularly children, cyclists, other road users or obstructions behind.

The driver should then reverse slowly, checking all around, looking mainly through the rear window and remembering that the front of the vehicle will swing out when turning. The Code adds that someone should guide the driver if they cannot see clearly. Rule 203 says a driver MUST NOT reverse further than necessary.

The bottom line

Rules 170 to 183 and 200 to 203 ask drivers in England, Scotland and Wales to give way to pedestrians who have started crossing, stop behind Stop lines, take a position just left of the centre when turning right, check mirrors and the blind spot before completing a right turn, and reverse only as far as necessary, slowly and with full all-round observation.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Introduction”
• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Using the road (159 to 203)”

Rules 159 to 169 of The Highway Code, published on GOV.UK, explain the checks expected before moving off, how to use mirrors, and when and how to overtake. This article summarises them for learners and new drivers. The Highway Code’s introduction says it applies to England, Scotland and Wales, so Northern Ireland is not covered. It is general information. Rules written as “MUST NOT” are legal requirements, “DO NOT” rules are strong advice and “should” rules describe good practice.

Before moving off (Rule 159)

Rule 159 says drivers should use all mirrors to check the road is clear, look round to check the blind spots (the areas that cannot be seen in the mirrors), signal if necessary before moving out and look round for a final check. It adds that the driver should move off only when it is safe.

Once moving (Rule 160)

Once moving, the Code says drivers should:

• keep to the left unless signs or markings indicate otherwise, with exceptions for overtaking, turning right or passing parked vehicles or pedestrians in the road;
• keep well to the left on right-hand bends, which improves the view and helps avoid a collision with oncoming traffic;
• be aware of cycles and motorcycles that may be filtering through traffic, give them plenty of room, and give way to cyclists when changing direction or lane rather than cutting across them; and
• select a lower gear before a long downhill slope to help control speed.

Mirrors (Rule 161)

Rule 161 says all mirrors should be used effectively throughout a journey: frequently, so the driver always knows what is behind and to each side, and in good time before signalling or changing direction or speed. It reminds drivers that mirrors leave blind spots, so the driver needs to look round. The Code summarises the routine as Mirrors, Signal, Manoeuvre.

Before overtaking (Rules 162 and 163)

Rule 162 says that before overtaking a driver should make sure the road is sufficiently clear ahead, that no other road user is beginning to overtake them and that there is a suitable gap in front of the road user they plan to pass. Rule 163 says to overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so. Its points include:

• do not get too close to the vehicle being overtaken, use the mirrors, signal when safe, glance into the blind spot if necessary and then move out;
• once started, move quickly past, allow plenty of room and move back to the left as soon as possible without cutting in;
• give way to oncoming vehicles before passing parked vehicles or obstructions on your side; and
• overtake on the left only if the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right and there is room, or in slow-moving queues where the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are.

The same rule sets out guide clearances for vulnerable road users. Drivers should leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at up to 30 mph, and more at higher speeds. They should pass horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles at under 10 mph and allow at least 2 metres, and allow at least 2 metres and keep to a low speed when passing a pedestrian walking in the road. Extra care and space are advised in bad weather and at night, and if these clearances cannot be met, the driver should wait behind and not overtake.

Large vehicles (Rule 164)

Rule 164 says overtaking large vehicles is more difficult. Drivers should drop back, which improves their view and lets the large vehicle’s driver see them in the mirrors, and should make sure there is enough room to finish the manoeuvre before committing, since passing a large vehicle takes longer. If in doubt, they should not overtake.

Where overtaking is prohibited (Rules 165 to 167)

Rule 165 says a driver MUST NOT overtake:

• if they would have to cross or straddle double white lines with a solid line nearest to them, apart from the exceptions in Rule 129;
• if they would have to enter an area designed to divide traffic that is surrounded by a solid white line;
• the nearest vehicle to a pedestrian crossing, especially one that has stopped to let pedestrians cross;
• if they would have to enter a lane reserved for buses, trams or cycles during its hours of operation; or
• after a “No Overtaking” sign, until a sign cancels the restriction.

Rule 166 says not to overtake if there is any doubt or where the driver cannot see far enough ahead, for example approaching a corner or bend, a hump bridge or the brow of a hill. Rule 167 lists places where overtaking risks conflict with other road users, including at or approaching a junction, where the road narrows, near crossing facilities, at a level crossing and when another road user is indicating right, even if the signal seems to have been left on by mistake. It also says to stay behind a cyclist or horse rider approaching a roundabout or junction if the driver intends to turn left, and not to cut across them.

Being overtaken (Rules 168 and 169)

Rule 168 says a driver being overtaken should maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass, and never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. After a vehicle overtakes and pulls into the gap in front, the driver should drop back to maintain a two-second gap. Rule 169 says not to hold up a long queue of traffic, especially in a large or slow-moving vehicle, to check mirrors frequently and, if necessary, to pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.

The bottom line

Rules 159 to 169 build a routine for drivers in England, Scotland and Wales: check mirrors and blind spots before moving, keep left, use Mirrors, Signal, Manoeuvre, and never overtake when there is doubt, in the places the Code lists as prohibited, or where the safe clearances for cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians cannot be kept.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Introduction”
• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Using the road (159 to 203)”

Most driving lessons happen on ordinary streets and lanes, not motorways. Rules 144 to 158 of The Highway Code, published on GOV.UK, set out the standard expected of every driver on those roads. This article summarises them for learners and new drivers, leaving aside the rules on mobile phones and in-vehicle technology, which the site covers separately. The Highway Code’s introduction says it applies to England, Scotland and Wales, so Northern Ireland is not covered. It is general information: rules written as “MUST” or “MUST NOT” are legal requirements, and “should” rules are advice.

The basic standard (Rules 144 and 145)

Rule 144 says a driver MUST NOT drive dangerously, drive without due care and attention, or drive without reasonable consideration for other road users. It adds that driving needs focus at all times and that a driver may be driving dangerously or too fast even if they do not mean to. Rule 145 says a driver MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property or in an emergency.

Adapting to the road (Rule 146)

Rule 146 tells drivers to adapt to the type and condition of road, and its points include:

• speed limits are not a target, and it is often not safe or appropriate to drive at the maximum limit;
• road and traffic conditions should be taken into account, such as the road being blocked beyond a blind bend, with speed adjusted as a precaution;
• drivers should be prepared for road users emerging at junctions and watch for unmarked junctions on side roads and country lanes where nobody has priority;
• drivers should be ready to stop at traffic control systems, road works, crossings or lights; and
• drivers should anticipate what pedestrians and cyclists might do, since pedestrians, particularly children, looking the other way may step out without seeing the vehicle.

Being considerate (Rule 147)

Rule 147 asks drivers to be careful of and considerate towards all road users, especially those requiring extra care. A driver MUST NOT throw anything out of a vehicle, noting this can endanger others, particularly motorcyclists and cyclists. It advises patience because other road users may be inexperienced or unfamiliar with the area, and says to pull over and calm down rather than get involved if someone behaves badly on the road.

Concentration and smoking (Rule 148)

Rule 148 says safe driving needs concentration and lists distractions to avoid: loud music, which may mask other sounds, trying to read maps, adjusting music or radio, arguing with passengers or other road users, eating and drinking, and smoking. It also explains that separate smoking regulations apply in England, Wales and Scotland. In England and Wales, the driver MUST NOT smoke or allow anyone to smoke in an enclosed private vehicle carrying someone under 18, including motor caravans. In Scotland, it is an offence for anyone aged 18 or over to smoke in a private motor vehicle when there is someone under 18 in it and the vehicle is in a public place, unless it is parked and being used as living accommodation.

Slow-moving traffic (Rule 151)

In slow-moving traffic Rule 151 says drivers should reduce the gap to the vehicle ahead to maintain traffic flow, but never get so close that they cannot stop safely. They should leave room to manoeuvre if the vehicle ahead breaks down or an emergency vehicle needs to pass, not change lanes to the left to overtake, and allow access to and from side roads.

Residential streets and traffic calming (Rules 152 and 153)

Rule 152 says drivers should drive slowly and carefully on streets where pedestrians, cyclists and parked cars are likely, and notes that in some areas a 20 mph (32 km/h) limit may apply. It lists emerging vehicles, car doors opening and children running out from between parked cars among the hazards.

Rule 153 covers traffic-calming features such as road humps, chicanes and narrowings. Drivers should reduce speed on approach, allow cyclists and motorcyclists room to pass through, keep the reduced speed along the whole calmed stretch, give way to oncoming road users if signs direct, and not overtake other moving road users in those areas.

Country roads and single-track roads (Rules 154 to 156)

Rule 154 says to take extra care on country roads and reduce speed on approaching bends, which can be sharper than they appear, and at junctions and turnings that may be partly hidden. Drivers should be ready for pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists, slow farm vehicles or mud, and make sure they can stop within the distance they can see to be clear.

Rule 155 covers single-track roads, which are only wide enough for one vehicle and may have passing places. If a vehicle approaches, or the driver behind wants to overtake, the Code says to pull into a passing place on the left or wait opposite a passing place on the right, and to give way to road users coming uphill whenever possible. If necessary, a driver should reverse to a passing place, and slow down when passing pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. Rule 156 says not to park in passing places.

Vehicles that must not be used on roads or pavements (Rules 157 and 158)

Rule 157 says certain motorised vehicles do not meet the construction and technical requirements for road vehicles and are generally not suitable or legal for road, pavement, footpath, cycle path or bridleway use. It names most types of miniature motorcycles (mini motos) and motorised scooters (go peds), and says they MUST NOT be used in those places. Rule 158 says certain models of motorcycles, motor tricycles and quadricycles, also called quad bikes, are suitable only for off-road use. Any motor vehicle used on the road MUST meet legal standards and be registered, taxed and insured.

The bottom line

Rules 144 to 158 set a simple standard for England, Scotland and Wales: drive with care and consideration, treat the speed limit as a maximum, avoid distractions, slow down on residential streets and country roads, and use passing places properly on single-track roads. Some of the rules, notably on smoking with under-18s, differ between the nations.

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)”

Learners are taught to read the road surface as well as the signs. Rules 127 to 143 of The Highway Code, published on GOV.UK, explain what the white lines and studs mean, how to change lanes and which lane to use on different types of road. This article summarises them for learner and new drivers. The Highway Code’s introduction says it applies to England, Scotland and Wales, so Northern Ireland is not covered. It is general information: rules written as “MUST” or “MUST NOT” are legal requirements, and “should” rules are advice.

Lines in the middle of the road (Rules 127 to 129)

Rule 127 covers a broken white line, which marks the centre of the road. When the line lengthens and the gaps shorten, it means a hazard ahead, and the Code says not to cross it unless the road is clearly free and the driver wishes to overtake or turn off.

Rule 128 covers double white lines where the line nearer to the driver is broken. A driver may cross to overtake if it is safe, provided the manoeuvre can be completed before reaching a solid white line on the driver’s own side.

Rule 129 covers double white lines where the nearer line is solid. A driver MUST NOT cross or straddle it, unless it is safe and they need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. The line may also be crossed, if the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.

Chevrons and hatched areas (Rule 130)

Rule 130 says areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons separate traffic lanes or protect traffic turning right. Where the area is bordered by a broken white line, drivers should not enter it unless it is necessary and safe. Where it is marked with chevrons and bordered by solid white lines, drivers MUST NOT enter it except in an emergency.

Lane dividers and road studs (Rules 131 and 132)

Rule 131 says lane dividers are short broken white lines on wide carriageways, and drivers should keep between them. Rule 132 sets out the colours of reflective road studs, which may be used with white lines:

• white studs mark the lanes or the middle of the road;
• red studs mark the left edge of the road;
• amber studs mark the central reservation of a dual carriageway or motorway;
• green studs mark the edge of the main carriageway at lay-bys and slip roads; and
• green and yellow studs indicate temporary adjustments to lane layouts, for example where road works are taking place.

Changing lanes (Rules 133 and 134)

Rule 133 says that before changing lane, a driver should use their mirrors and, if necessary, take a quick sideways glance to make sure they will not force another road user to change course or speed. When it is safe, they signal and, when clear, move over. Rule 134 says to follow signs and road markings and get into the lane as directed, and in congested conditions not to change lanes unnecessarily. Merging in turn is recommended only if safe when vehicles are moving very slowly, for example near road works, and not at high speed.

Single carriageways with several lanes (Rules 135 and 136)

Where a single carriageway has three lanes and the markings or signs do not give priority to traffic in either direction, Rule 135 says the middle lane should be used only for overtaking or turning right, and the right-hand lane should not be used. Where a single carriageway has four or more lanes, Rule 136 says to use only the lanes that signs or markings indicate.

Dual carriageways (Rules 137 to 139)

A dual carriageway has a central reservation separating the carriageways. Rule 137 says on a two-lane dual carriageway a driver should stay in the left-hand lane, use the right-hand lane for overtaking or turning right, and move back to the left when it is safe. Rule 138 says on a road with three or more lanes a driver may use the middle or right-hand lanes to overtake but should then return to the middle lanes and then the left-hand lane when safe. Rule 139 covers climbing and crawler lanes on some hills, which slow-moving vehicles, or those with traffic behind wishing to overtake, should use.

Cycle lanes and tracks (Rule 140)

Rule 140 says a driver MUST NOT drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a solid white line during its times of operation, and should not drive or park in one marked by a broken white line unless unavoidable. Drivers MUST NOT park in any cycle lane while waiting restrictions apply. The Code adds that drivers should give way to cyclists in a cycle lane, including those approaching from behind, and should not cut across them when turning or changing lane.

Bus lanes and other designated lanes (Rules 141 and 142)

Rule 141 says that, unless otherwise indicated, drivers should not drive in a bus lane during its period of operation, though they may enter one to stop, or to load or unload where this is not prohibited. Rule 142 says lanes may be restricted to particular vehicles, some or all of the time, and drivers MUST NOT use such lanes during operating times unless the signs permit their vehicle.

One-way streets (Rule 143)

Rule 143 says traffic MUST travel in the direction indicated by signs, and buses or cycles may have a contraflow lane. Drivers should choose the correct lane for their exit early and not change lanes suddenly. Unless signs or markings say otherwise, the Code advises the left-hand lane when going left, the right-hand lane when going right and the most appropriate lane when going straight ahead, remembering that traffic could pass on both sides.

The bottom line

Rules 127 to 143 ask drivers in England, Scotland and Wales to read markings as instructions, stay out of chevrons and restricted lanes, check mirrors before changing lane and use the left-hand lane by default on dual carriageways.

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)”

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)”

A car that sits unused on a drive can still land its keeper with a fine if it has no insurance. That surprises many new drivers who buy a first car, pass the test later and leave the car parked in the meantime. GOV.UK explains two separate offences: being the registered keeper of an uninsured vehicle that has not been declared off the road, and driving without insurance. This article sets out what the GOV.UK pages say, and it is general information rather than legal advice. GOV.UK states that different rules for vehicle insurance apply in Northern Ireland, so the continuous insurance enforcement points below are for Great Britain.

Keeper offence: continuous insurance enforcement

GOV.UK says a vehicle must have motor insurance if it is used on roads and in public places, but that insurance is not needed if the vehicle is kept off the road and declared off the road with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). This rule is called continuous insurance enforcement. The registered keeper of an uninsured vehicle that is not declared off the road could, according to GOV.UK, be fined £100, have the vehicle wheel-clamped, impounded or destroyed, or be taken to court where the maximum fine is £1,000. It adds that the keeper would still have to pay for insurance on top of any fines. GOV.UK also says a person can check whether a vehicle is insured on askMID.

The page notes exceptions for motor traders: a vehicle between registered keepers, or registered “in trade” with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), is excluded from continuous insurance enforcement, but vehicles kept for a person’s own use are not excluded.

Driver offence: driving without insurance

This is a different offence with heavier penalties. GOV.UK says it is illegal to drive on a road or in a public place without at least third-party insurance, and that even where the vehicle itself is insured, a driver who is not correctly insured to drive it can be penalised. The police could give a fixed penalty of £300 and 6 penalty points. If the case goes to court, the driver could receive an unlimited fine and disqualification, and the police have the power to seize and, in some cases, destroy the vehicle. Annex 5 of the Highway Code lists driving without insurance with an unlimited fine, discretionary disqualification and 6 to 8 penalty points.

For a driver within two years of passing a first test, Annex 5 says accumulating 6 or more penalty points (including any earned before passing) automatically revokes the licence, even where the offences were paid by fixed penalty. One insurance fixed penalty of 6 points would therefore reach that threshold. The site’s explainer on the New Drivers Act gives more detail.

What third-party insurance covers

GOV.UK describes third-party insurance as the legal minimum. It covers the policyholder if there is an accident causing damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property, but does not cover other costs such as repairs to the driver’s own vehicle. A learner should look at the site’s guide to learner driver insurance, which covers short-term and named-driver policies, and to buying a first car.

How to declare a vehicle off the road

GOV.UK says keepers tell the DVLA they are taking a vehicle off the road, for example when keeping it in a garage. A keeper receives a refund for any full months of remaining tax and cannot use the vehicle on the road until it is taxed again. A SORN starts immediately if the tax has expired or if the application is not made in the month the tax is due to expire; if it is made in the month tax is due to expire, the SORN starts on the first day of the next month. Keepers can apply online if the vehicle is registered in their name, using the 11-digit number in the V5C log book or the 16-digit reference on the tax reminder, or by phone or post using form V890. GOV.UK says a SORN is not needed for a vehicle already sold, in which case the sale should be reported to the DVLA instead.

Common questions

Do I need insurance for a car I am not driving?

GOV.UK says insurance is not needed if the vehicle is kept off the road and declared as off the road with a SORN. Without a SORN, the keeper of an uninsured vehicle may face the continuous insurance enforcement penalties.

Is the £100 penalty the same as the driving-without-insurance penalty?

No. GOV.UK gives £100 for the keeper offence and a £300 fixed penalty with 6 penalty points for driving without insurance.

The bottom line

According to GOV.UK, an uninsured car that is not declared off the road exposes its registered keeper to a £100 fine and possible clamping or impounding, while driving uninsured brings a £300 fixed penalty and 6 points, which is enough to trigger licence revocation for a driver within two years of passing. A SORN is the route for a car that will not be used on the road. The continuous insurance enforcement rules described are for Great Britain; Northern Ireland has different rules.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Vehicle insurance: Uninsured vehicles”
• GOV.UK, “Vehicle insurance: Driving without insurance”
• GOV.UK, “Register your vehicle as off the road (SORN)”
• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Annex 5. Penalties”

Most learners practise how to start, steer and stop, and far fewer are taught what to do when a car will not. The Highway Code covers breakdowns and incidents in rules 275 to 287, including where to stop, what to do on a motorway, and what a driver must do after a collision. The Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales, and the motorway rules cite separate regulations for England and Wales and for Scotland. This article covers the driver-duty and vehicle-safety parts of those rules, and is general information, not legal advice.

Choosing a place of relative safety: rule 275

The Code says that when a vehicle must stop after a breakdown or incident, the driver should try to reach a “place of relative safety”, where the driver, passengers and vehicle are less likely to be at risk from moving traffic. The safest place is somewhere designed for parking; on motorways and other high-speed roads that means a service area. Other examples are lay-bys, emergency areas and hard shoulders, though the Code warns hard shoulders give less protection than other places because they are so close to fast traffic. Passengers should keep well away from the vehicle and moving traffic where possible, because traffic that collides with the car could force it into them.

Breakdowns on ordinary roads: rule 276

• Get the vehicle off the road if possible, and use hazard warning lights if it is causing an obstruction.
• Wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective clothing at night or in poor visibility.
• Put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind the vehicle on the same side, or use other permitted warning devices, with great care when placing or retrieving them. The Code says never to use them on motorways.
• Keep sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor, and do not stand, or let anyone else stand, between the vehicle and oncoming traffic.

Breakdowns on motorways: rules 277 to 278

Rule 277 says a driver with a problem should leave at the next exit or pull into a service area if possible. If not, the Code sets out a “Go left, get safe, get help” sequence. Go left means moving to the left lane, pulling into an emergency area or onto a hard shoulder if possible, stopping as far left as possible with the wheels turned left, stopping just beyond an emergency telephone if possible, and switching on hazard lights (and sidelights in the dark). Get safe means leaving by the door furthest from traffic if it is safe and possible and getting well away from the vehicle and moving traffic. Get help means using the free emergency telephone or a breakdown recovery service, facing the traffic while speaking, and telling them if the caller is a vulnerable motorist such as a disabled or older person or someone travelling alone.

If a driver cannot reach the left lane or a place of relative safety and cannot safely leave the vehicle, the Code says to stay in the vehicle with seat belts and hazard lights on and call 999, asking for the police, or press the vehicle’s SOS button if it has one. It says not to return to the vehicle to wait because of rain, cold or dark, not to attempt repairs, and never to place a warning triangle on the carriageway. Animals must be kept in the vehicle or, in an emergency, under control on the verge. To report a location the Code lists eCall, a mobile mapping application, or the numbers and letters on marker posts or driver location signs along the road edge.

Obstructions and passing incidents: rules 280 to 281

If something falls from a vehicle onto a motorway or other high-speed road, the Code says not to remove it but to stop in a place of relative safety and call 999. On other roads, an obstruction should be removed only if it is safe to do so. Where emergency or incident support vehicles show flashing lights ahead, drivers should slow down and be ready to change lanes or stop, and must follow directions from police or traffic officers.

After a collision: rules 286 and 287

Under rule 286 a driver involved in a collision that causes damage or injury to another person, vehicle, animal or property must stop, ideally in a place of relative safety. They must give their own and the vehicle owner’s name and address and the registration number to anyone with reasonable grounds for requiring them. If the details are not given at the time, the driver must report the collision to the police as soon as reasonably practicable and in any case within 24 hours. Under rule 287, if another person is injured and the driver does not produce an insurance certificate at the time, the driver must report to the police as soon as possible and in any case within 24 hours and produce the certificate to the police within seven days.

Annex 5 of the Code lists failing to stop after an accident or failing to report one as carrying up to six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, discretionary disqualification and 5 to 10 penalty points. The site’s explainer on the New Drivers Act covers the 6-point revocation rule for drivers within two years of passing.

Common questions

Should I put a warning triangle out on a motorway?

No. The Code says never to use warning triangles on motorways, and rule 277 lists not placing one on the carriageway as a do-not.

How soon must a collision be reported to the police?

Where a driver does not give their details at the scene, rule 286 says as soon as reasonably practicable and within 24 hours.

The bottom line

The Highway Code’s breakdown rules come down to reaching a place of relative safety, being seen, staying away from moving traffic and calling for help. On motorways it advises a driver who cannot leave the vehicle safely to stay in it and call 999. After a collision involving damage or injury, a driver must stop, give details and report within 24 hours if details were not exchanged, and Annex 5 lists penalties for failing to do so. The rules apply in England, Scotland and Wales.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Breakdowns and incidents (275 to 287)”
• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Annex 5. Penalties”