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)”