19 driving myths uncovered

To help you sort the driving laws from the fake news, we’ve put together some definitive answers to a few of the most common motoring questions out there. And not just for learner drivers.

No, it’s not illegal to eat while driving.

However, if you get distracted while snacking behind the wheel, the police could prosecute you for careless driving if they consider you to not be in proper control of the vehicle, an offence which carries an on-the-spot fine of £100 and three penalty points.

Rules lined up for 2021 will make exceptions for contactless payments using mobiles at drive-thrus so long as the vehicle is stationary.

Just like eating behind the wheel, taking a swig of water or coffee while you’re driving is not illegal, but it could carry the same careless driving penalty if you’re accused of being distracted.

In some situations, it can be more dangerous not to have a drink in the car with you. Scientists at Loughborough University found that driving while dehydrated can be just as dangerous as drink-driving.

Dehydration can cause a loss of focus and lead to drowsiness and slower reaction times.

If you’re heading off on a long journey, particularly in hot weather, keep dehydration at bay by carrying a bottle of water in your car.

• Drving offences and their punishments

Smoking while driving itself is not illegal, but just like eating and drinking, if it causes distraction behind the wheel you could face a charge of careless driving.

If you’re travelling with passengers aged under 18 though, it is illegal to smoke in the car. Changes were made to the law in 2015 to protect children from second-hand smoke.

While health campaigners welcomed the legislation, in 2016 it was uncovered in a Freedom of Information request that the law is not being enforced by the majority of police forces.

There’s no law against driving with interior lights on, but if a police officer decides your interior light is a driving distraction they could ask you to turn it off, or even charge you with careless driving.

And it doesn’t have to be a distraction for you, either.

If the light is judged to be dazzling or distracting to other road users, particularly those driving behind you, you may also be charged.

• Car lights and headlights: what they are and when to use them

No. Although driving while over the limit is incredibly dangerous and against the law it’s not illegal to drink alcohol at the wheel, so by default it’s not illegal to have open alcohol containers in the car.

The main alcohol law to remember is the UK drink-driving law, which states you can only drive if you are under the national drink-drive limit, or else face heavy fines and a driving ban.

In 2017 alone, Department for Transport figures estimated that over 8,600 people were injured or killed in road collisions related to drink-driving.

The RAC described these figures as “disappointing” and said that the statistics “show that much more needs to be done to eradicate the scourge of drink-driving.

While there is no specific law that clearly states it’s not legal to drive while wearing headphones, it is highly unadvisable because it can be dangerous.

Not only could it see you charged with dangerous driving, loud music could also stop you from hearing emergency vehicle sirens, level crossing warnings, other road users and pedestrians approaching your vehicle.

Drivers can make a phone call while driving if they use a hands-free kit or their car’s Bluetooth system.

Current laws technically ban drivers from holding their phones if they are using them for interactive communication functions, such as making a call or typing a text.

This has created a loophole wherein drivers can use functions that don’t require a network connection – for example, taking photos – without technically breaking the law. However, they can be found guilty of careless driving, instead.

In October 2020, the Government revealed plans to close the outdated loophole and ban drivers from picking up their phone for any reason while driving. The new rules are expected to apply some time in 2021.

Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is illegal, punishable by six points on your licence and a £200 fine.

Distractions by mobile phones are a deadly problem on the roads and caused 43 fatalities in 2017.

Therefore, any hands-free devices should be fully set up before you drive, so you can take calls without handling the device.

The police still have the power to stop you if they believe you have been distracted by using a mobile phone while driving, even if it’s fully hands-free.

Some road safety groups believe mobile phones should be completely switched off while driving, to avoid any distractions.

• Mobile phone driving laws – wht is and what isn't illegal? | with video

Sat-navs – whether you are using a separate device or an app on your phone – should be fixed in a set position, either on your windscreen or dashboard. We recommend a phone holder attached to your dashboard, so your view isn't impeded.

Just like with handheld phones, you should not interfere with your phone when you’re using it as your sat-nav while driving, because it could lead to six penalty points and a £200 fine if caught.

The short answer is no.

There are many different variations of speed camera, but only the Gatso type flash to take a picture of you speeding. Others catch you by using infra-red light.

While speed limits may vary from one road to the next, there is only one proven method to make sure you don’t get caught speeding: always know the speed limit of the road you’re on and stick to it.

No. While many vehicles’ speedometers allow a 10% overestimation error, this allowance doesn’t exist on speed cameras. You can’t drive at 33mph in a 30mph zone, for example.

Simply put, if a police officer catches you with a mobile radar speed gun exceeding the limit, you are liable for prosecution even at 1mph over the limit.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) suggests police forces don’t prosecute until drivers exceed a margin of error of 10% of the speed limit, to take into account driver concentration, plus 2mph for speedometer error.

But this is only a suggestion, not a rule, and the NPCC don’t enforce the law – it’s down to the discretion of the police officer in question.

• Speed cameras – how they work

It’s a common myth that men can have ‘a pint or two’ or women a large glass of wine and still be safe to drive afterwards.

Your blood-alcohol level actually depends on many factors other than the alcoholic drinks you consume – whether you’ve eaten or exercised, how tired you are, or if you’re taking any medication can all affect how your body processes the alcohol.

There are many factors to consider – it’s not a cut-and-dry rule.

The best advice is not to drink any alcohol at all.

• Drink-drive limits: everything you need to know

That depends on your insurance policy. It used to be the case that many policies came with ‘driving other cars’ (DOC) cover included as standard.

These days, this is less common and will often only be included if the driver asks for it and pays extra.

Drivers under 25 are unlikely to have this cover on any policy.

Even if you do have DOC cover, it’s only supposed to be used in an emergency, which means your provider might not pay out if you’re involved in a collision and don’t have a good reason to be driving someone else’s car.

To be sure of your specific cover, check your insurance policy to see what cars you can and cannot drive.

If you need to drive another car, be that to borrow it or share the driving on a long trip, you can purchase a specific temporary car insurance policy to cover you for this. It can be applied for easily online for as little as an hour up to 30 days. If you need more, you can either top up or buy a new policy. If you need to make a claim, it won’t affect the owner’s No Claims Discount.  

With RAC breakdown, our personal-based cover will protect you across multiple vehicles. Business breakdown can cover your whole fleet if you're a business owner.

Leaving your engine running while parked up, or engine idling as it’s otherwise known, could see you land a fixed penalty.

Rule 123 of The Highway Code says that drivers must not leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road.

No-idling zones are an increasingly common sight, especially around schools, and the RAC have launched School Clean Air Zone banners in an attempt to tackle the problem. 

The Department for Transport announced a public consultation in June 2019 into enforcing tougher penalties on idling drivers. Although the article has since been withdrawn, bigger penalties and increased enforcement could be on its way.

Engine idling fines in parts of London have already risen from £20 to £80 to help improve air quality in the capital.

• Engine idling - why it's so harmful and wha's being done

No.

All fuels sold in the UK have to meet the same British Standards. 

Although supermarket fuel wouldn’t damage your car or be under par, it typically contains less performance additives than branded fuel.

These include detergents to remove the build-up of deposits in the engine and lubricant to reduce wear and tear.

‘Super’ fuels usually contain greater amounts of the additives.  

• What is the best fuel for my car? The definitive guide to different fuel types

Older average speed cameras may have been fooled by simply changing lanes, but times have changed.

Today, the cameras calculate for lane changes and take pictures of every lane to cross-compare them.

No, as long as you don’t touch them. Any apps tracking your mileage or usage for a Black Box Car Insurance policy shouldn’t need you to interact with them while you’re driving.

You simply need to have them running on your phone. Remember, it is illegal to hold a phone or sat nav while driving. You must have hands-free access.

No.

Although overtaking manoeuvres should be completed quickly and safely, you should never break the speed limit for the road you’re driving on.

As tempting as it might be to speed past middle lane hoggers on the motorway, you should wait for a safer opportunity to pass irresponsible drivers.

(And please try to resist graffitiing your frustrations on bridges along the M6.)

• A guide to overtaking safely on the road

The police can pull you over and charge you with careless driving if they decide your speed is inappropriate for the road you’re driving on.

Some roads will display a minimum speed sign to give you a clear idea of how fast you should be driving.

You’re most likely to come across the blue circular signs in and around tunnels. Some of the signs display a red horizontal to show the end of the minimum speed limit.

Yes.

If a police officer catches you splashing someone at the side of the road you might be charged with ‘driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users.’

Breaking the rule could land you with 3 to 9 penalty points added to your licence for 4 years.