Driving
On this page:
Rules of the
road Owning a
car Road
signs Related Links
Rules
of the road
When you are driving a vehicle or riding a motorbike or
scooter:
- Your vehicle must be safe to be driven or ridden on the
roads.
- Remember to drive on the left-hand side of the road.
- Check the vehicle has tax and an MOT and that you are insured
to drive or ride the vehicle.
- Remember to wear your seatbelt - you are breaking the law if
one is fitted and you do not wear it. Also check your passengers
are wearing theirs.
- Make sure you are fit to drive. Do not drive if you have been
drinking alcohol or you are under the influence of drugs or
medicine. Although there are guidelines on how much alcohol you are
allowed to consume before driving, generally the best advice in
respect of drinking alcohol and driving afterwards is do not do it.
Alcohol impairs your judgements and reactions. The same rules apply
to driving after consuming drugs, whether they are legal or illegal
drugs.
- Make sure you know the Highway Code and follow the general
rules and advice given in the book. This book can be purchased at
various bookshops.
- The speed limits in this country are in miles per hour. Please
make sure you are reading the right speed on your vehicle
speedometer. There are lots of speed limits that may be in
force.
- There is another speed limit which is called the national speed
limit, and this is 60 mph on single carriageways and 70 mph on dual
carriageways and motorways.
The Law
Owning a
car
You are welcome to drive in this country provided that you have
a driving licence for your country of origin and have the necessary
documents:
1. Every car that is used in the UK must
have insurance. If you are caught driving without insurance you can
be banned from driving, fined, or even sent to prison. Your vehicle
may even be confiscated and crushed
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Motorinsurance/index.htm.
2. A car that is more than 3 years old
needs an MOT test certificate to prove road worthiness. These
certificates need renewing every 12 months and cost around £30.
Driving a motor vehicle without a certificate could result in a
fine
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/index.htm.
3. Car owners need to possess the
vehicle registration document, which should be given to you when
you buy the car
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/ChangesToYourRegistrationCer.
4. Finally you need to display a valid
vehicle excise licence (car tax) on the windscreen. You can buy a
tax disc from post offices, and they can be purchased for a period
of six months or one year. You will need your insurance papers, MOT
certificate and the vehicle registration document in order to buy
the tax disc. www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/taxation.htm.
Road
signs
Use the link to access a pdf document detailing
road signs in use in the UK.
Related
Links
Government information on MOTs
(external)
