When you learn to drive a car, not only is there the aspect of learning how to actually make it move, but you also have to learn all the little things that you can and can’t do behind the wheel.

There are seemingly countless rules that drivers have to know before they can safely operate a vehicle on the road by themselves. Everyone knows that they shouldn’t speed or check their phones when driving, but what else are we doing that could see us getting points on our license or landing us with a fine?

Splashing Pedestrians with Puddles

If you’ve ever been hit by the icy wave of a bus stop puddle after a lorry driver has ploughed straight through it, you will be understandably miffed. But what you might not actually know is that it is actually against the law to splash pedestrians through puddles at speed.

You can receive a fixed penalty for doing so and in some cases, people have been handed tickets for public order offences after deliberately targeting pedestrians.

Taking Prescription Drugs

New road-side screening devices were introduced in 2015 alongside new rules regarding drivers and prescription medication. Over-the-counter drugs such as codeine cannot be taken before driving and taking them could see you banned from driving all together. Most drugs that cause drowsiness come with a do not drive warning on the label.

Using Your Horn in Anger

The horn is there to warn other drivers of your presence, not to alleviate your road rage. If you are caught using your horn in a moment of anger and frustration, then you’re breaking the law. You also can’t beep your horn between 11:30pm and 7am unless in an emergency situation.

Smoking

Ever since October 2015 it has been illegal to smoke inside a car if any passenger is under the age of 18. The responsibility falls on the driver to ensure nobody is smoking if the car contains children as they are deemed responsible for all passenger’s actions.

Having A Dirty Number Plate

When you are on the road your number plate must be clearly visible at all times. If you’ve been driving down country lanes and your car has a nice fresh coating of mud, your number plate may be too dirty to read. If so, then you’re breaking the law. Always make sure you clean off any dirt that builds up on it.

If you are buying a used car then make sure you are up to date with all the rules on what you can and cannot do when driving.