How many rules are in the Highway Code?

There are 307 numbered rules in the Highway Code, plus three rules in the introduction, H1 to H3, on the hierarchy of road users. That makes 310 rules in all, followed by sections on signals, signs and road markings and 8 annexes.

The numbered rules run from rule 1 (pedestrians) to rule 307 (overhead electric lines on tramways). Gov.uk publishes the whole code free online, and the current version was updated on 22 October 2025 (gov.uk: The Highway Code). It applies in England, Scotland and Wales.

The rules, section by section

The 307 rules sit in 14 sections. The ranges below are the ones gov.uk prints in each section heading; the count is the number of rules in that range.

Section	Rules	Number of rules
Rules for pedestrians	1 to 35	35
Rules for users of powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters	36 to 46	11
Rules about animals	47 to 58	12
Rules for cyclists	59 to 82	24
Rules for motorcyclists	83 to 88	6
Rules for drivers and motorcyclists	89 to 102	14
General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders	103 to 158	56
Using the road	159 to 203	45
Road users requiring extra care	204 to 225	22
Driving in adverse weather conditions	226 to 237	12
Waiting and parking	238 to 252	15
Motorways	253 to 274	22
Breakdowns and incidents	275 to 287	13
Road works, level crossings and tramways	288 to 307	20
Total	1 to 307	307

The biggest section is "General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders", with 56 rules on signals, lighting, speed limits, stopping distances, lane markings and mobile phones. You can browse every rule on our Highway Code rules page.

One small change catches out older lists. The motorway section's heading now reads "Motorways (253 to 274)" and the next one "Breakdowns and incidents (275 to 287)", although gov.uk's web addresses still say 253 to 273 and 274 to 287 (gov.uk: motorways; gov.uk: breakdowns and incidents). The total is still 307.

Rules H1 to H3

The introduction holds three more rules, which gov.uk describes as "the hierarchy of road users (Rules H1 to H3)" (gov.uk: introduction).

• H1 says all road users should be aware of the code and considerate to others, and that "those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility".
• H2 says that at a junction drivers, riders and cyclists should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road they are turning into or out of.
• H3 says drivers and motorcyclists should not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse-drawn vehicles going ahead when turning or changing lane.

Our Highway Code guide explains the hierarchy of road users in more detail.

What comes after rule 307

After the numbered rules come reference sections without rule numbers: light signals controlling traffic, signals to other road users, signals by authorised persons, traffic signs, road markings and vehicle markings.

Then there are 8 annexes:

1. You and your bicycle
2. Motorcycle licence requirements
3. Motor vehicle documentation and learner driver requirements
4. The road user and the law
5. Penalties
6. Vehicle maintenance, safety and security
7. First aid on the road
8. Safety code for new drivers

"Other information" and an A to Z index close the code. Our road signs guide covers the traffic signs section, and the road markings guide covers the markings.

Is the Highway Code law?

Partly. The introduction says: "Many of the rules in the Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence. Such rules are identified by the use of the words 'MUST/MUST NOT'."

The rest is advice, but it still counts. Gov.uk goes on: "Although failure to comply with the other rules of the Code will not, in itself, cause a person to be prosecuted, The Highway Code may be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts... to establish liability." It adds that this "includes rules which use advisory wording such as 'should/should not' or 'do/do not'."

Each legal rule names the law behind it, and Annex 4 lists the Acts and regulations, such as the Road Traffic Act 1988 (gov.uk: Annex 4).

How many rules do you need for the theory test?

Gov.uk says the car theory test questions are based on three books: the Highway Code, Know your traffic signs and Driving - the essential skills (gov.uk: revision and practice). It does not say which rules come up, and it does not publish the questions.

So no rule is safe to skip. You do not need to learn the rule numbers, though: questions ask what you should do, not what rule 126 says. Learn what each rule asks of you, and pay extra attention to the MUST rules, because a wrong answer there describes something illegal. Our revision guide suggests an order to work through it.

Start free

Start free with the theorytest.ai diagnostic to find which parts of the Highway Code you already know and which to read first. theorytest.ai is independent and is not affiliated with the DVSA or the Department for Transport.

Frequently asked questions

How many rules are in the Highway Code?

307 numbered rules, plus rules H1 to H3 in the introduction, so 310 in total. The numbered rules run from rule 1 to rule 307 across 14 sections.

What is the last rule in the Highway Code?

Rule 307, on overhead electric lines. It says tramway overhead wires are normally 5.8 metres above the carriageway, but can be lower.

Is the Highway Code the law?

Rules using MUST or MUST NOT are legal requirements, and breaking them is a criminal offence. The other rules are advice, but can be used in evidence in court to establish liability.

What are rules H1, H2 and H3?

The hierarchy of road users, in the introduction. They put the greatest responsibility on those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm.

Does the Highway Code apply in Northern Ireland?

Gov.uk says this Highway Code applies in England, Scotland and Wales. If you are learning in Northern Ireland, check the official Northern Ireland version instead.