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General Driving Rules
In the U.K. you must drive on the left hand side of the road. If your are unaccustomed to driving on the left you must be particularly careful when you turn right as this may place your vehicle in the path of other traffic.
At most road junctions, there will be a sign telling you whether to stop or Give Way. There might also be markings on the road (white dotted lines and a triangle). You must obey these signs.
At roundabouts, you must give way to traffic coming from the right. Drive round in a clockwise direction and signal left as you approach your exit.
Drinking and Driving
It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol in the body can be measured in the breath, blood or urine.
It is best not to drink at all if you are driving.
Speed Limits
In a built-up area - 30mph (48km/h)
On the outskirts of a built-up area - 40mph (64km/h)
On a main road - 60mph (96km/h)
On a motorway - 70 mph (112km/h)
Speed limits may be lower in some places - watch out for signs!.
Seat Belts
Drivers and all passengers must wear seatbelts if they are fitted - both in the front and back of the vehicle. There are some exemptions for pregnant women but a special certificate must be obtained.
Children under 1.35 meters tall or up to 12 years of age must use a properly fitted child's car seat.
Accidents
If you are driving your vehicle and it is involved in an accident you must stop.
You must give your name, address, insurance details and the registration number of your vehicle, to the other driver(s) involved. It will be to your benefit to obtain this information from the drivers of the other vehicles. If anyone is injured you must also inform the police.
Driving on the motorway
When you drive on the motorway and dual carriageways, keep left unless you are overtaking. Only use the hard shoulder in an emergency, and switch on your hazard warning lights. You can call for help from emergency phones located on the hard shoulder, situated every 1500m.
Motorways MUST NOT, be used by pedestrians, holders of provisional car or motorcycle driving licences unless exempt, riders of motorcycles under 50cc, cyclists and horse riders.
Certain slow-moving vehicles and those carrying oversized loads (except by special permission), agricultural vehicles and most invalid carriages are also prohibited.
Mobile phones
It is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone while you are driving in the U.K.
Driving Licences - Persons from E.U. visiting UK
If you hold a valid E.U. Community Licence and are visiting the U.K. you can drive any vehicle, which your licence entitles you to drive. The vehicles you wish to drive must be shown on your licence.
All drivers must comply with British minimum age requirements. These are 17 years for cars and motorcycles, 18 years for medium sized vehicles and 21 years for large lorries and buses.
Driving Licences - Persons from E.U. resident in UK
If you have a valid European Community driving licence, this will authorise you to drive in the U.K. for the periods below.
Alternatively, you can exchange your licence for a British one at any time.
Provided your licence remains valid you may drive a car or motorcycle (ordinary licence) in the U.K. until the age of 70, or for three years after becoming resident, whichever is the longer period.
Provided your licence remains valid you may drive a lorry, minibus or bus (vocational driving licence): until aged 45 or for five years after becoming resident, whichever is the longer period.
if you are aged over 45 (but under 65) until your 66th birthday or for five years after becoming resident, whichever is the shorter period.
if you are aged 65 or over, for 12 months after becoming resident.
In order to continue driving after these periods, you must get a U.K. driving licence.
Driving Licences - Register of community licence holders
Holders of E.U. Community licences with vocational entitlement, that is entitlement to drive vehicle during the course of employment, who live in the U.K. must register their details with the D.V.L.A.
Drivers of small vehicles may also register if they wish. Drivers who register will receive their licence back together with a U.K. counterpart document. This would enable them to take advantage of the fixed penalty system for road traffic offences instead of having to go to court.
Visitor or Resident (including as a student) and non E.U. License Holders
A valid community licence issued after passing a driving test within the EC/EEA, will allow you to drive in Great Britain for a set period.
Alternatively, you can exchange your licence for a British licence.
Provided your licence remains valid you may drive a car, motorcycle driving licence holders (ordinary driving licence):
- until the age of 70 or for three years after becoming resident, whichever is the longer period
- a lorry, minibus, bus driving licence holders (vocational driving licence):
- until aged 45 or for five years after becoming resident, whichever is the longer period
- if you are aged over 45 (but under 65) until your 66th birthday or for five years after becoming resident, whichever is the shorter period
- if you are aged 65 or over for 12 months after becoming resident
In order to continue driving after these periods, you must get a British driving licence.
If you hold a driving licence from a designated country you may apply to exchange this for a British one up to five years after becoming a resident here. To ensure continuous driving entitlement a GB licence must be obtained before this period elapses, by exchanging your licence for a GB one. If you do not do this you must stop driving although you may apply to exchange your licence at any time within five years of becoming resident. The designated countries are: Gibraltar, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea*, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.
If you use a vehicle on a road without the correct driving licence you risk being fined and having the vehicle seized.
Notifying health conditions
You must inform the D.V.L.A. of any conditions that you suffer from before you came to the U.K. and which you may have already notified to the authorities. This must include any conditions you have recently become aware of. In most cases, the rules will be the same as those in other EC/EEA countries although there may be some differences. Higher visual standards apply for vocational drivers in the U.K..
Insurance
If you drive a vehicle on a road in the U.K .you must be covered by third party insurance either in the form of a green card or by a U.K. company. If you use a vehicle on the road without insurance you risk being fined and having the vehicle seized.
Bringing Vehicles into the UK
There are international agreements which provide for the temporary use of a vehicle in a foreign country for a limited time, usually 6 months in a 12 month period. It is the responsibility of the driver to prove how long the vehicle has been in the country. A visitor to the U.K. may use a vehicle displaying foreign plates, provided that all taxes (including vehicle excise duty) are paid in their country of origin. Once a vehicle has been registered in the U.K. it must display a current Vehicle Excise Licence and if over three years old be submitted for a Ministry of Transport Test.
Useful Contacts
Lothian and Borders Police
Police H.Q
Fettes Avenue, Edinburgh
Tel 0131 311 3131
www.lbp.police.uk
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (D.V.L.A.).
Longview Road,
Swansea, SA6 7JL
Tel 0870 240 0009.
www.dvla.gov.uk
D.V.L.A.
Edinburgh Local Office
Saughton House
Broomhouse
Edinburgh, EH11 3XE
Tel 0870 850 0007
Useful publications and websites
The Highway Code, available in booklet form, contains all the infromation required to understand how to use a vehicle in the U.K.
http://www.lbp.police.uk/pageprogs/extsite.asp?url=http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/&sitedesc=Highway%20Code
http://www.lbp.police.uk/pageprogs/extsite.asp?url=http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/&sitedesc=Highway%20Code
www.dft.gov.uk/
www.passplus.org.uk
www.direct.gov.uk |