Highway Code Rules
Essential knowledge for safe and legal driving. The Highway Code contains rules, guidance, and best practices for all road users.
85
MUST Rules
Legal requirements that you MUST follow. Breaking these rules is a criminal offense.
221
SHOULD Rules
Advisory rules that you SHOULD follow for safety and good practice.
306
Total Rules
Complete collection of rules covering all aspects of road use.
Introduction
6 rulesRules for pedestrians
29 rules7
Teaching Children the Green Cross Code
SHOULD
8
Pedestrian Priority at Junctions
SHOULD
9
Cross Safely at Designated Gaps
SHOULD
10
Understanding Tactile Paving for Safety
SHOULD
11
Crossing One-Way Streets Safely
SHOULD
12
Crossing Bus and Cycle Lanes Safely
SHOULD
13
Pedestrian and Cyclist Shared Routes
SHOULD
14
Crossing Safely Between Parked Cars
SHOULD
15
Avoid Crossing Behind Reversing Vehicles
SHOULD
16
Prohibition on Riding Moving Vehicles
MUST
17
Nighttime Pedestrian Visibility
SHOULD
18
Using Pedestrian Crossings Safely
SHOULD
19
Zebra Crossing Safety Tips
MUST
20
Zebra Crossing Island Protocol
SHOULD
21
Crossing at Traffic Lights Safely
SHOULD
22
Using Pelican Crossings Safely
SHOULD
23
Understanding Puffin Crossings
SHOULD
24
Crossing During Traffic Congestion
SHOULD
25
Toucan Crossings for Cyclists and Pedestrians
SHOULD
26
Crossing Signals for Blind Pedestrians
SHOULD
27
Understanding Equestrian Crossings
SHOULD
28
Navigating Staggered Pedestrian Crossings
SHOULD
29
Crossing at Authorised Personnel Signals
SHOULD
30
Crossing Roads Safely with Islands
SHOULD
31
Pedestrians and Emergency Vehicles
SHOULD
32
Safe Boarding and Alighting from Buses
SHOULD
33
Pedestrian Safety Near Tramways
SHOULD
34
Pedestrian Safety at Level Crossings
MUST
35
Navigating Pavement Closures Safely
SHOULD
Rules for users of powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters
11 rules36
Classes of Wheelchairs and Scooters
SHOULD
37
Rules for Mobility Scooter Use
SHOULD
38
Pavement Use for Mobility Scooters
SHOULD
39
Speed Limit for Mobility Devices
MUST
40
Safely Joining Road in Mobility Scooters
SHOULD
41
Road Safety for Mobility Scooter Users
SHOULD
42
Direction for Mobility Scooters on Road
MUST
43
Visibility and Lighting for Mobility Scooters
MUST
44
Safe Practices at Road Junctions
SHOULD
45
Parking Rules for Mobility Scooters
SHOULD
46
Mobility Scooter Motorway Restrictions
MUST
Rules about animals
12 rules47
Standards for Horse-Drawn Vehicles
SHOULD
48
Safety for Horse-Drawn Vehicles
MUST
49
Helmet Rules for Young Riders
MUST
50
Appropriate Riding Clothing for Safety
SHOULD
51
Safe Horse Riding at Night
SHOULD
52
Preparing Horses for Road Travel
SHOULD
53
Signalling When Riding with Animals
SHOULD
54
Horse Riding on Roads and Paths
MUST
55
Navigating Roundabouts with Animals
SHOULD
56
Keep Dogs on Short Leads
SHOULD
57
Restraining Pets in Vehicles
SHOULD
58
Safely Herding Animals on Roads
SHOULD
Rules for cyclists
24 rules59
Cyclist Clothing Safety Guidelines
SHOULD
60
Cyclist Night Lighting Requirements
MUST
61
Using Cycle Lanes and Facilities
SHOULD
62
Using Cycle Tracks Properly
MUST
63
Cyclists: Sharing Paths Safely
SHOULD
64
Cycling Prohibited on Pavements
MUST
65
Cyclists and Bus Lane Safety
SHOULD
66
Cyclists: Safe Riding Practices
SHOULD
67
Cyclist Safety and Awareness
SHOULD
68
Cyclists' Prohibition on Pavements
MUST
69
Cyclists Must Obey Traffic Signals
MUST
70
Proper Cycle Parking Guidelines
SHOULD
71
Cyclists Obeying Red Traffic Lights
MUST
72
Cyclist Road Positioning Tips
SHOULD
73
Cycle Junction Facilities
SHOULD
74
Cyclists: Safe Left Turns
SHOULD
75
Two-Stage Right Turns for Cyclists
SHOULD
76
Cyclists' Priority at Junctions
SHOULD
77
Cyclist Safety on Busy Roads
SHOULD
78
Cycling Safely at Roundabouts
SHOULD
79
Cyclist Right Turn on Roundabouts
SHOULD
80
Cyclists: Give Space to Long Vehicles
SHOULD
81
Cyclists: Crossing Rules Explained
SHOULD
82
Toucan Crossings for Cyclists and Pedestrians
SHOULD
Rules for motorcyclists
6 rulesRules for drivers and motorcyclists
14 rules89
Ensure Vehicle and Trailer Compliance
MUST
90
Report Health Issues to DVLA
MUST
91
Avoid Driving When Tired
SHOULD
92
Vision Requirements for Drivers
MUST
93
Driving Safely in Bright Sunlight
SHOULD
94
Avoid Tinted Glasses at Night
SHOULD
95
Avoid Drink Driving
SHOULD
96
Driving Under Influence of Drugs
MUST
97
Pre-Drive Safety Checks
SHOULD
98
Safe Towing and Loading Practices
SHOULD
99
Mandatory Seat Belt Use
MUST
100
Child Seatbelt and Restraint Laws
MUST
101
Avoid Rear-Facing Seats with Airbags
MUST
102
Ensuring Child Safety in Vehicles
SHOULD
General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders
55 rules103
Importance of Using Signals
SHOULD
104
Maintain Safe Following Distance
SHOULD
105
Obey Authorised Persons' Traffic Signals
MUST
106
How Police Stop Vehicles
SHOULD
107
Recognising DVSA Stop Signals
SHOULD
108
Traffic Officer Vehicle Stop Powers
SHOULD
109
Obeying Traffic Lights and Signs
MUST
110
Proper Use of Flashing Headlights
SHOULD
111
Understanding Flashing Headlights Signals
SHOULD
112
Proper Use of Car Horn
MUST
113
Keep Windscreen Clear and Clean
SHOULD
114
Prohibition on Using Mobile Devices
MUST
115
Maintain Safe Distance in Traffic
SHOULD
116
Proper Use of Hazard Warning Lights
MUST
117
Safe Braking Technique
SHOULD
118
Emergency Braking and Wheel Control
SHOULD
119
Handling Skids Safely
SHOULD
120
ABS Emergency Braking Technique
SHOULD
121
Brakes and Driving Through Water
SHOULD
122
Avoid Coasting for Better Control
SHOULD
123
Avoid Idling Your Car Engine
MUST
124
Obey Speed Limits and Street Lights
MUST
125
Speed Limits and Safe Driving Conditions
SHOULD
127
Understanding Broken White Centre Lines
SHOULD
128
Overtaking on Broken White Lines
SHOULD
129
Double White Line Restrictions
MUST
130
Understanding White Diagonal Road Markings
SHOULD
131
Stay Between Lane Dividers
SHOULD
132
Reflective Road Studs Usage
SHOULD
133
Safely Changing Lanes
SHOULD
134
Lane Discipline and Merging
SHOULD
135
Navigating Three-Lane Single Carriageways
SHOULD
136
Using Lanes on Wide Roads
SHOULD
137
Lane Usage on Dual Carriageways
SHOULD
138
Overtaking on Three-Lane Carriageways
SHOULD
139
Proper Use of Climbing Lanes
SHOULD
140
Rules for Cycle Lane Use
MUST
141
Bus Lane Usage Rules
SHOULD
142
High-Occupancy and Designated Lanes
MUST
143
Navigating One-Way Streets Safely
MUST
144
Prohibited Driving Behaviours
MUST
145
No Driving on Pavements or Paths
MUST
146
Adjust Driving to Road Conditions
SHOULD
147
Be Considerate to All Road Users
SHOULD
148
Avoid Distractions While Driving
SHOULD
149
No Hand-Held Phone While Driving
MUST
150
Avoid Distraction from In‑Car Systems
MUST
151
Driving in Slow-Moving Traffic
SHOULD
152
Driving Safely on Residential Streets
SHOULD
153
Driving Through Traffic-Calming Zones
SHOULD
154
Driving Safely on Country Roads
SHOULD
155
Using Passing Places on Single-Track Roads
SHOULD
156
No Parking in Passing Places
SHOULD
157
No Mini Motos or Go-Peds on Roads
MUST
158
Off-road bikes and quads on roads
MUST
Using the road
45 rules159
Safety checks before moving off
SHOULD
160
Safe Driving Once You’re Moving
SHOULD
161
Using Mirrors Throughout Your Journey
SHOULD
162
Checks Before Overtaking
SHOULD
163
Only Overtake When Safe and Legal
SHOULD
164
Overtaking Large Vehicles Safely
SHOULD
165
Situations Where Overtaking Is Banned
MUST
166
Only Overtake When You Can See
SHOULD
167
Avoid Dangerous Overtaking Situations
SHOULD
168
What To Do When Overtaken
SHOULD
169
Avoid Holding Up Traffic Queues
SHOULD
170
Taking Extra Care at Junctions
SHOULD
171
Stopping at STOP junctions
MUST
172
Giving way at junctions
MUST
173
Checking Central Reservations on Dual Carriageways
SHOULD
174
How to Use Box Junctions
MUST
175
Stopping at traffic light stop lines
MUST
176
Traffic Lights and Junction Safety
MUST
177
Using Green Filter Arrows Safely
SHOULD
178
Advanced Stop Lines for Cyclists
MUST
179
Preparing to Turn Right Safely
SHOULD
180
Turning Safely into Side or Main Roads
SHOULD
181
Turning Right at Crossroads
SHOULD
182
Safe Left Turns and Overtaking
SHOULD
183
Correct Position When Turning
SHOULD
184
Using Signs and Lanes at Roundabouts
SHOULD
185
What To Do At Roundabouts
SHOULD
186
Signalling for First Left Exit
SHOULD
187
Giving Vulnerable Road Users Space
SHOULD
188
Using Mini-Roundabouts Safely
MUST
189
Driving Through Double Mini-Roundabouts
SHOULD
190
Driving Through Multiple Mini-Roundabouts
SHOULD
191
Parking and overtaking at crossings
MUST
192
Keep Pedestrian Crossings Clear
SHOULD
193
Hidden Pedestrians at Crossings
SHOULD
194
Be patient with crossing pedestrians
SHOULD
195
Approaching Zebra and Parallel Crossings
SHOULD
196
How to use pelican crossings
MUST
197
Pelican crossings with central islands
MUST
198
Give Way to Crossing Pedestrians
SHOULD
199
Toucan, Puffin and Equestrian Crossings
SHOULD
200
Choosing Safe Places to Turn
SHOULD
201
Reversing from Side Roads and Drives
SHOULD
202
Looking Carefully Before Reversing
SHOULD
203
Only Reverse the Minimum Distance
MUST
Road signs, markings, and vehicle markings
22 rules204
Protecting Vulnerable Road Users
SHOULD
205
Adjust Speed for Children’s Safety
SHOULD
206
When To Drive Carefully And Slowly
SHOULD
207
Watching for Vulnerable Pedestrians
SHOULD
208
Driving Safely Near Schools
SHOULD
209
Passing Stationary School Buses Safely
SHOULD
210
Stopping for school crossing patrols
MUST
211
Checking Carefully for Bikes and Motorbikes
SHOULD
212
Overtaking Vulnerable Road Users Safely
SHOULD
213
Cyclists’ Road Position and Spacing
SHOULD
214
Driving Safely Near Animals
SHOULD
215
Passing Horses Safely on Roads
SHOULD
216
Allow for Older Drivers’ Reactions
SHOULD
217
Being Patient with Learner Drivers
SHOULD
218
Driving in Home Zones and Quiet Lanes
SHOULD
219
Letting Emergency Vehicles Pass Safely
SHOULD
220
Powered Mobility Vehicles and Beacons
MUST
221
Following and Turning Space for Large Vehicles
SHOULD
222
Keeping Back from Large Vehicles
SHOULD
223
Giving Priority to Buses and Trams
SHOULD
224
Staying Safe Around Electric Vehicles
SHOULD
225
Flashing Amber Beacons on Slow Vehicles
MUST
Driving in adverse weather conditions
12 rules226
Headlights and Fog Lights in Poor Visibility
MUST
227
Stopping Distances in Wet Weather
SHOULD
228
Driving in Winter Weather
SHOULD
229
Checks Before Bad-Weather Driving
SHOULD
230
Safe Driving on Ice and Snow
SHOULD
231
Driving Safely on Icy Roads
SHOULD
232
Windy Weather and High-Sided Vehicles
SHOULD
233
Wind and Large Vehicles Safety
SHOULD
234
Slowing Down Before Entering Fog
SHOULD
235
Safe Driving in Fog
SHOULD
236
Correct Use of Fog Lights
MUST
237
Sun, Heat and Slippery Roads
SHOULD
Waiting and parking
15 rules238
Parking on Yellow and School Lines
MUST
239
Using Designated Parking Areas
SHOULD
240
Places You Must Not Park
MUST
241
Parking in Reserved Bays
MUST
242
Do Not Obstruct the Road
MUST
243
Places You Must Not Park
SHOULD
244
Parking on Pavements
MUST
245
Understanding Controlled Parking Zones
SHOULD
246
Parking Rules for Heavy Goods Vehicles
MUST
247
Loading and Unloading Restrictions
SHOULD
248
Parking Direction at Night
MUST
249
Parking Lights on Faster Roads
MUST
250
Parking Without Lights in 30 mph Zones
SHOULD
251
Parking Safely in Fog
SHOULD
252
Safe Parking on Hills
SHOULD
Motorway rules
21 rules253
Vehicles and Users Banned from Motorways
MUST
254
Looking Further Ahead on Motorways
SHOULD
255
Motorway Signals Warning of Danger
SHOULD
256
Motorway lane and overhead signals
SHOULD
257
Amber Flashing Motorway Signals
SHOULD
258
Red X Lane Closures on Motorways
MUST
259
Joining a Motorway from Slip Roads
SHOULD
260
Safe Speeds in Good Conditions
SHOULD
261
Motorway speed limits and signs
MUST
262
Staying Alert on Motorways
SHOULD
263
Never Reverse or U-Turn on Motorways
MUST
264
Correct Lane Use on Motorways
MUST
265
Who Cannot Use Right-Hand Lane
MUST
266
Choosing the Correct Motorway Lane at Junctions
SHOULD
267
Safe Overtaking on Motorways
SHOULD
268
Overtaking and Lane Discipline on Motorways
SHOULD
269
Using the hard shoulder safely
MUST
270
Stopping on Motorways and Hard Shoulders
MUST
271
No Picking Up or Walking on Motorways
MUST
272
Leaving the Motorway Safely
SHOULD
273
Slowing Down When Leaving Motorways
SHOULD
Breakdowns and incidents
14 rules274
Prioritising Others When You Break Down
SHOULD
275
When Your Vehicle Has a Problem
SHOULD
276
Rejoining Motorway After Breakdown
SHOULD
277
If You Can’t Reach Hard Shoulder
SHOULD
278
Breakdown guidance for disabled drivers
SHOULD
279
Safely Retrieving Items from the Road
SHOULD
280
Obstructions on Motorways
SHOULD
281
Obey Emergency and Incident Signals
MUST
282
Passing Crash Scenes Safely
SHOULD
283
What To Do After A Crash
SHOULD
284
Markings on Dangerous Goods Vehicles
SHOULD
285
Incidents Involving Dangerous Goods
SHOULD
286
Duties After a Collision
SHOULD
287
Producing Insurance After a Crash
SHOULD
Road works, level crossings and tramways
20 rules288
Following Signs at Road Works
SHOULD
289
Extra Caution on Fast Roads
SHOULD
290
Driving Safely in Contraflow Systems
SHOULD
291
Safe Driving at Level Crossings
SHOULD
292
Overhead Electric Lines and Height Limits
MUST
293
Understanding Controlled Railway Crossings
SHOULD
294
Using Railway Telephones at Crossings
MUST
295
Stopping at Closing Level Crossing Barriers
SHOULD
296
User-Operated Level Crossing Lights
MUST
297
Using unlit railway crossings safely
SHOULD
298
Using Ungated Open Level Crossings
SHOULD
299
Breakdowns and Incidents on Crossings
SHOULD
300
Staying Out of Tram-Only Lanes
MUST
301
Safely Sharing the Road with Trams
SHOULD
302
Parking Safely Near Tram Tracks
MUST
303
Safe Driving at Tram Stops
MUST
304
Watch for Pedestrians Near Trams
SHOULD
305
Giving Priority to Trams
SHOULD
306
Crossing Tram and Rail Tracks Safely
SHOULD
307
Driving Safely Under Overhead Wires
SHOULD
About the Highway Code
The Highway Code is essential reading for everyone using the roads. It contains the rules that drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, horse riders, and pedestrians must follow to ensure the safety of all road users.
The Highway Code contains both legal requirements (indicated by "MUST" or "MUST NOT") and advisory guidance (indicated by "SHOULD" or "SHOULD NOT"). Breaking the rules marked as "MUST" is a criminal offense and could lead to fines, penalty points, disqualification, or even imprisonment.
Regularly reviewing the Highway Code helps you stay up-to-date with the latest rules and guidance, making you a safer and more confident road user. Use this resource to search for specific rules or browse through different sections to improve your knowledge.