Highway Code rules 2022 – Everything you need to know about the new changes being enforced NOW as 50 added or amended
- How smart motorways and numbers plates will change this year
- The rule change that gives cyclists priority over drivers
MAJOR Highway Code changes have come into force - with drivers, cyclists and pedestrians urged to brush up the new rules.
The changes came in on Saturday and are essentially designed to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, by targeting larger vehicles with a swathe of new rules.
The biggest Highway Code rule change is the new "hierarchy of vehicles", which means the more damage your vehicle can do, the more responsibility you have to ensure you don't put less-threatening road users at risk.
The hierarchy is now, in order of priority: pedestrians; cyclists; horse riders; motorcyclists; cars/taxis; vans/minibuses, with large passenger and heavy goods vehicles at the bottom.
What that means in reality is that you have ultimate responsibility to ensure you don't increase the risk for every vehicle above yours in the list.
Read our Highway Code live blog below for the latest updates...
Will you be fined for breaking the new rules?
The Highway Code has been revamped and the changes kicked off on January 29, 2022.
Drivers that break the new rules will not necessarily be fined for doing so, but they could be fined if breaching the rules results in you falling into any of the categories in the Highway Code penalty table.
The penalty table lists the possible offences drivers could commit with the maximum penalty and points that could be handed out.
Roads minister ‘determined to make Britain’s roads safer still’
Roads minister Baroness Vere has released a statement on Saturday’s changes.
“I’m proud to say we have some of the safest roads in the world, but I’m determined to make them safer still for everyone.
“These updates to The Highway Code will do just that by bringing the rules into the 21st century,encouraging people to respect and consider the needs of those around them and ensuring all road-users know the rules of the road.”
The new Highway Code changes
The Highway Code is being revamped with changes kicking in from midnight.
There are a raft of new rules that all road users need to be aware of – or they risk fines and penalty points on their licence.
As part of the changes, both cyclists and pedestrians will get extra power on the roads.
Plus, vehicles will have to give way in new places.
We round up the rules you need to know about.
New slow traffic rules
When you're stuck in traffic or you're moving slowly, new rules state that you should allow pedestrians to cross in front of you.
That means those walking across the road should be allowed to do so by drivers.
This rule also applies to cyclists looking to cross the road too.
History of driving licenses
Driving licences were first introduced in Great Britain in 1903 under the Motor Car Act, simply as a means of identifying vehicles and their drivers.
All motor vehicles had to be registered, display registration marks and be licensed annually at a cost of 20 shillings (£1).
The fee for the first driving licence, which was obtained over the counter at Post Offices, was 5 shillings (25p).
Failure to sign your driving licence with your ‘ordinary signature’ would of resulted in a fine of up to £5.
New roundabout rules
Drivers will have to be extra vigilant of cyclists making their journey around roundabouts.
They shouldn’t be overtaken and should be given plenty of space.
The revised Rule 186 says: “You [driver] should give priority to cyclists on the roundabout. They will be travelling more slowly than motorised traffic.
“Give them plenty of room and do not attempt to overtake them within their lane. Allow them to move across your path as they travel around the roundabout.
“Cyclists, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles may stay in the left-hand lane when they intend to continue across or around the roundabout and should signal right to show you they are not leaving the roundabout.
“Drivers should take extra care when entering a roundabout to ensure that they do not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles in the left-hand lane, who are continuing around the roundabout.”
More driving news you need to know
- Here’s six major changes to the Highway Code in 2022.
- Drivers warned of £200 fine and six points on their licence for common driving habit.
- Ten new driving law changes you might not know about.
Turning in or out of a junction
Cars wanting to turn either left or right will now have to give way to cyclists that are riding behind and want to go straight on.
The new rule says: “You should not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles going ahead when you are turning into or out of a junction or changing direction or lane.”
When a driver is overtaking a cyclist, they must leave a space of at least 1.5 metres at speeds up to 30mph.
If you’re driving above 30mph, you must give extra space to cyclists although a specific distance has not be laid out.
New Highway code rules could lead to ‘avalanche’ of lawsuits
The cycling rules in The Highway Code have had a big revamp - and one of the major changes is all around the clarity of where cyclists should ride on the road.
Now, it is acceptable for cyclists to ride in the centre of the lane, in some situations.
Lawyer Nick Freeman has blasted the new road rules, saying going against what drivers already know is likely to cause road accidents.
He believes initiating these changes could lead to more lawsuits while putting drivers and pedestrians in vulnerable positions.
He told Daily Mail: "Who says it is sensible for pedestrians to have the power to step out in front of a car at a junction and have priority.
"Or for a cyclist to take the crown of the road when we've got limited space, huge congestion, this is the most congested city in the world (London) because of cycle lanes, 'you don't need to use the cycle lanes Mr Cyclist, sit in the middle of the road and hold us up and we are going to sit patiently behind you'."
Will you be fined for breaking the new rules?
The Highway Code is being revamped with changes kicking in from January 29, 2022.
Drivers that break the new rules will not necessarily be fined for doing so, but they could be fined if breaching the rules results in you falling into any of the categories in the Highway Code penalty table.
The penalty table lists the possible offences drivers could commit with the maximum penalty and points that could be handed out.
Windscreen wiper mistake that could land drivers with £2,500 fine
Wiper blades need to be kept in top shape to avoid any windscreen impairments.
Driving with either blunt or broken wiper blades is classed as driving your car in a dangerous condition.
This will mean you won’t be able to wash you windscreen properly and could affect your driving.
Section 40a of The Road Traffic Act: Using a Vehicle in a Dangerous Condition Part II says: “A person is guilty of an offence if he uses, or causes or permits another use, a motor vehicle or trailer on a road when the condition of the motor vehicle or trailer, or of its accessories or equipment, is such that the use of the motor vehicle or trailer involves a danger of injury to any person.”
According to The Highway Code, using a vehicle in a dangerous condition is punishable by a fine of up to £2,500.
Drivers would also be slapped with three penalty points on their licence.
Offenders that repeat the same or similar offence within three years risk being banned from driving.
This is a general rule and not part of the new changes.
£5,000 fine for flashing headlights wrong
Flashing a driver to intimidate them, to signal they can proceed at a roundabout or as a warning there are speed cameras up ahead are all strictly against road laws.
Rule 110 of the Highway Code states: “Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there.”
And 111 adds: “Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed.
“Use your own judgement and proceed carefully.”
Smaller on-the-spot fines of £100 are likely if your headlines are faulty, but intentionally misusing them is much more serious.
Wrongly flashing someone to let them know they can proceed is unlikely to lead to a fine – but warning drivers about upcoming speed cameras is quite different.
If you’re caught doing that, you could be charged with breaching of section 89 of the Police Act 1996.
This law says it’s an offence to “wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty” and carries a maximum fine of £1,000.
If you’re taken to court for the offence, you could face a fine up to £5,000 – plus nine penalty points on your licence.
These are current rules and not part of the new rules.
Highway Code wording explained
MUST/MUST NOT – Legal requirements, and you’re committing a criminal offence if you disobey these rules.
Should/Should not/ Do/Do not – Advisory wording, and may be used in evidence in court proceedings to establish liability.
Explained: Highway Code
The Highway Code is a set of information, rules, laws advice and guides that road users in the United Kingdom must follow.
The Highway Code’s objective is to promote road safety and the Code applies to all road users including pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers.
Many of the rules are laws and if you are caught breaking them you could land yourself a fine.
The Highway Code Official websites says: “Many of the rules in The Highway Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence.
“You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to prison. Such rules are identified by the use of the words ‘MUST/MUST NOT’.”
Offences that could land you in prison
Driving while unfit through drink or drugs or with excess alcohol: or failing to provide a specimen for analysis
6 months’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory disqualification
3 to 11 points (if exceptionally not disqualified)
Failing to stop after an accident or failing to report an accident
6 months’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification
5 to 10 points
Driving while disqualified
6 months’ imprisonment (12 months in Scotland) / Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification
6 points
Driving after refusal or revocation of licence on medical grounds
6 months’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification
3 to 6 points
These have always been laws and are not part of the new changes
Will you be fined for breaking the new rules?
The Highway Code is being revamped with changes kicking in from January 29, 2022.
Drivers that break the new rules will not necessarily be fined for doing so, but they could be fined if breaching the rules results in you falling into any of the categories in the Highway Code penalty table.
The penalty table lists the possible offences drivers could commit with the maximum penalty and points that could be handed out.
What is the method that passengers should now use?
The ‘Dutch reach’ means using the opposite arm to the side you’re on.
For example, if you’re in the front passenger seat, use your left hand to flick open the door.
This slight turn in your body’s posture means you’re much more likely to see cyclists coming towards your car.
Rule 239 of the new code states: “Where you are able to do so, you should open the door using your hand on the opposite side to the door you are opening.
“This will make you turn your head to look over your shoulder.
“You are then more likely to avoid causing injury to cyclists or motorcyclists passing you on the road, or to people on the pavement.”
Brits face an avalanche of parking fines
BRITS are set to face an avalanche of parking fines later this year - with an expert warning motorists about "unfair" rule changes.
The complex new parking rules coming into force for 2022 will see a raft of new situations arise where drivers might get stung.
On May 31, councils in England and Wales will be given new powers to fine motorists up to £70 for minor traffic offences such as stopping in yellow box junctions, illegal turns and driving in cycle lanes.
Currently, only the police can enforce this - but new CCTV cameras will inform council officers of any offenders.
The Department of Transport has said this increased supervision will allow buses to be more punctual as well as to protect cyclists.
Read more here.
Explained: The Highway Code wording
MUST/MUST NOT – Legal requirements, and you’re committing a criminal offence if you disobey these rules.
Should/Should not/ Do/Do not – Advisory wording, and may be used in evidence in court proceedings to establish liability.
Hierarchy of road users
The "hierarchy of road users" is a concept that has been brought in to rank those who are at a higher risk in the event of an accident.
Those who are most vulnerable top the hierarchy and it's no surprise that it's pedestrians.
The full hierarchy of road users is:
- Pedestrians
- Cyclists
- Horse riders
- Motorcyclists
- Cars/taxis
- Vans/minibuses
- Larger vehicles such as HGVs and buses
New Highway Code rules blasted as ‘dangerous'
Angry drivers reckon it gives bikers free rein to break the rules. And the Government are under fire from all sides for not publicising the shift.
Howard Cox, the co-founder of FairFuel UK has said: “My view is that these new rules will put lives at risk rather than make our roads safer.
“The guidance that drivers should keep a minimum of 1.5 metres from a cyclist when overtaking doesn’t take account of speed and conditions.
“Motorists will be beholden to a new code most of them do not even know about.
“These new rules are not fair to drivers. In a consultation of 21,000 people, 16,000 came from the cycle lobby.
“We should work together to find a code that is fair for all road users, not just cyclists.”
Read the article in full here.
Pedestrians crossing at road junctions
The next rule change is aimed at horse riders and cyclists too.
If a pedestrian is waiting to cross at a junction and a driver is turning, they must give way to the pedestrian.
Rule H2 of The Highway Code says: "At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning."
This also applies if vehicles are stuck in traffic or moving slowly - they must let pedestrians cross the road and rule 151 has been revised to reflect this.
No using your phone at the wheel
Mobile phones are not allowed to be used at any point while at the wheel.
This includes when stuck in traffic and when stopping at red lights.
Taking photos and videos, scrolling through a playlist and playing games will also be prohibited.
The only exception to these changes is if you need to use your phone to pay for goods at a drive-through or paying for a toll, but only while the car is stationary.
Using your phone behind the wheel can get you a £200 fine and six penalty points on your licence.
If you've passed your test in the past two years to the offence, you will lose your licence.
There is a possibility that you could be summoned to court for using you phone while driving.
This could enforce a fine of up to £1,000, £2,500 if you were driving a bus or lorry, plus being banned from driving.
Your parking rights explained
Even if it's where you usually park, there is no law saying other motorists aren't allowed to park outside your house.
In terms of on-street parking, anyone is allowed to park outside your house, as long as there are no parking restrictions.
If your street issues parking permits, anyone with one will be able to park any where along the road.
Drivers may be tempted to save the spot outside their house using a wheelie bin or cones.
However, this can be classed as an obstruction in the road and you may end up being reported to local council or the police.
Leaving your car & charging changes
The Dutch Reach is a safe way of opening your car door from the inside.
If you are the driver, you reach across your chest with your left arm to open the door rather than using the hand nearest the door.
It would be the same for the passengers sitting in the front but they would reach across with their right arm.
This is because the body will be forced to swivel around, helping you to see a cyclist, pedestrian or another vehicle coming from behind.
Doing this helps you scope out your surroundings before opening the door, meaning there is a lower risk of hitting anyone.
The Highway Code has revised a rule on owners of electric cars charging their car kerbside.
If EV charging points aren't used correctly, they can be hazardous.
Rule 239 will now say: "When using an electric vehicle charge point, you should park close to the charge point and avoid creating a trip hazard for pedestrians from trailing cables.
"Display a warning sign if you can. After using the charge point, you should return charging cables and connectors neatly to minimise the danger to pedestrians and avoid creating an obstacle for other road users."