7 common mistakes could cost summer road-trippers £14,000
These summer driving mistakes could land you a large fine
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Last updated: 18 August 2025
£14,000 in fines could be coming the way of UK drivers if they make simple Highway Code mistakes this summer, according to our new research.
With two-thirds of British drivers planning a long trip, there’s a lot more to prepare for over the coming weeks than drivers might realise.
Here’s some timely advice to avoid getting caught out.
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1. Tyres below legal tread depth or underinflated - up to £2,500 per tyre (max. £10,000)
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Drivers must check tyre pressure and tread before setting off. The minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm, and bald tyres affect your car’s grip and are unsafe – especially in the wet conditions of unpredictable British weather.
Underinflated tyres (below the manufacturer recommended pressure) also affect your car’s handling and put you at risk of blowouts.
That means driving with tyres not up to scratch can lead to heavy fines (up to £2,500 per tyre) and up to three points on your licence for each tyre that is found to be illegal.
Ben Welham, motoring expert, advises: “You can check your tread depth in a pinch using a 20p coin, making sure the grooves cover the outer ring of the coin.
“Checking your tyre pressures is a case of looking at your owner’s manual (there may also be a sticker in the driver’s door frame or fuel cap) and matching your wheel/tyre size to the reading from a tyre pressure gauge.
“If you’re stuck and not sure if your tyres are safe, most chain garages and motoring retailers will check your tread and pressure for free.
“We’ve also got a handy guide to looking after your tyres (and what happens if you don’t)"
What the law says
The Annexe. 6 Penalties of The Highway Code states: “Tyres must be correctly inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s specification for the load being carried. Always refer to the vehicle’s handbook or data. Tyres should also be free from certain cuts and other defects.
“Cars, light vans and light trailers MUST have a tread depth of at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference.”
2. Using your phone as a sat nav without mounting it properly - £200 fine
Driving with a phone in your lap or holding it to check directions is illegal. It must be mounted in a fixed position and used hands-free.
Holding your phone while driving is not only dangerous, but it could also land you a £200 fine and six penalty points.
Ben says: “Make sure you're happy with the positioning of your phone mount before you set off. You need to keep your focus and attention on the road while driving to avoid distractions.”
What the law says
Rule 149 of The Highway Code states: “You must not use a hand-held mobile phone, or similar device, capable of interactive communication for any purpose when driving.”
Drivers must avoid using a device in their hand for any reason, including when:
Stopped at traffic lights
Queuing in traffic
Driving a car that turns off the engine when you stop moving
Holding and using a device that’s offline or in flight mode
3. Driving tired or skipping breaks - unlimited fine
It's important to be well rested before you begin your road trip, so you’re alert to the demands of the road.
Falling asleep at the wheel is a serious offence and could increase your chances of causing an accident on the road.
“Don’t forget to include regular breaks when planning your route,” advises Ben. “It’s essential to stop, get some fresh air and eat regular meals. It’s not worth avoiding rests just to get to your destination more quickly.
“If you get sleepy behind the wheel, find a suitable place to pull over and take a break – avoiding pulling over in emergency areas or hard shoulders of a motorway unless there’s an actual emergency.”
What the law says
Rule 91 of the Highway Code says, “Plan your journey to take sufficient breaks. A minimum break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving is recommended.”
4. Obstructing your view with luggage - up to £1,000 fine
You need to be careful when stacking bags and other luggage in your boot. Blocking your view out of the rear windows can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 and three points on your licence.
Ben emphasises the importance of this: “Check that you can see out your back window before you begin your journey. Being able to see the cars behind you is crucial for changing lanes and when braking.”
What the law says
The Annexe. 5 Penalties of The Highway Code outlines: “Failure to have proper control of a vehicle or full view of the road and traffic ahead, can land motorists with a £1,000 fine plus three penalty points.”
5. Driving over 60mph while towing a caravan on the motorway - £100 to £2,500 fine
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New to towing a caravan? Doing so comes with its own speed limits, and you must drive at a safe, reduced speed to stay within the law.
Otherwise, you risk facing a penalty of up to a £2,500 fine and disqualification from driving.
What does the law say?
Rule 124 of the Highway Code specifies: “You must not exceed the maximum speed limits for the road and for your vehicle.”
There are reduced speed limits for cars towing caravans:
Driving on motorways and dual carriageways: 60mph
Single carriageways: 50mph
Built-up areas in England and Scotland: 30mph
Built-up areas in Wales: 20mph
6. Parking in an unsafe place to make a pit stop - £100 fine
Pit stops are part and parcel with road trips, whether it’s a bathroom break or to grab a sandwich.
But, regardless of how quick your stop is, make sure to park your used VW properly – or you could be slapped with a £100 fine.
“Parking anywhere you like for a few minutes might not seem like a big deal,” says Ben.
“But you could be in the way, or worse, cause a dangerous situation for other drivers or pedestrians.”
What the law says
Places to avoid parking are listed in Rule 243 of The Highway Code. It states that drivers should not stop or park:
Anywhere you would prevent access for Emergency Services
In front of an entrance to a property
On a bend
Opposite or within 10 metres of a junction, except in an authorised parking space
Opposite a traffic island or (if this would cause an obstruction) another parked vehicle
Near the brow of a hill or hump bridge
Near a school entrance
Where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles
Where you would obstruct cyclists’ use of cycle facilities
At or near a bus or tram stop or taxi rank
Where you would force other traffic to enter a tram lane
On the approach to a level crossing/tramway crossing
7. Leaving the engine running to take photographs – up to £1,000
If you stop your car to take a few snaps of a beautiful view, make sure to turn your engine off before you step out of the car.
Ben warns, “By leaving the engine running, you ‘stop being in control of your car,’ and this is a driving offence.”
By breaching The Highway Code in this way, you could be fined £1,000 and issued with three penalty points.
What the law says
Rule 123 of The Highway Code states: “You must not leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road.”
Summer driving
Don’t make your summer road trip more expensive than it needs to be.
Make sure to stick to the laws of the road to avoid your summer road trip experience turning into a stressful and expensive one.
If you're looking for a new car for your road trips, take a look at our range of used vehicles.
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