United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Traffic rules
United Kingdom
1. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is in north-western Europe and is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Traffic drives on the left, making the UK one of the European countries where drivers approaching from right-hand-traffic countries need to make a significant adjustment. Speed limits and distances on road signs are normally expressed in miles and miles per hour (mph). Although many traffic rules are shared across the UK, important differences exist between its constituent countries, including built-up-area speed limits and drink-driving limits.
English is the main language used on road signs, but the linguistic landscape changes in parts of the UK. In Wales, drivers commonly encounter bilingual Welsh-English traffic signs, with Welsh displayed above English on signs produced under current Welsh standards. Some routes in Scotland also use bilingual Gaelic-English direction signs. The UK has no nationwide motorway vignette, although individual roads, bridges, tunnels and urban areas may have tolls, congestion charges or emission-zone restrictions.
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What is the legal alcohol limit for drivers in the United Kingdom?
The blood-alcohol limit is 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland has a lower limit of 50 mg per 100 ml of blood.
🔗 gov.uk • UK Government, drink-drive limits, Limits in Scotland and the rest of the UK
What speed limits apply to passenger cars in the United Kingdom?
Built-up areas: On roads with street lighting, the general limit is 30 mph in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, unless signs indicate otherwise. In Wales, the default limit on restricted roads is 20 mph, although some roads have different signed limits.
Single carriageways: For cars and motorcycles, the national speed limit on a single carriageway is generally 60 mph, unless signs indicate a lower limit. Lower limits apply to certain other vehicle types.
Dual carriageways: For cars and motorcycles, the national speed limit on a dual carriageway is generally 70 mph, unless signs indicate a lower limit.
Motorways: For cars and motorcycles, the general maximum speed on motorways is 70 mph, unless a lower limit is displayed. Different limits apply to some vehicle types and vehicles towing trailers.
🔗 gov.uk • UK Government, speed limits, Default limits, including Wales
What are the seat-belt and child-restraint rules in the United Kingdom?
Seat belts must generally be worn where they are fitted, subject to specific legal exemptions. Drivers are responsible for ensuring that children under 14 are correctly restrained.
Children normally need an appropriate child car seat until their 12th birthday or until they reach 135 cm, whichever comes first. They must then use the fitted seat belt. A rear-facing child seat must not be used in front of an active frontal airbag.
If a taxi or minicab has no suitable child seat, the child may travel on a rear seat: those aged 3 or older use an adult belt, while those under 3 travel without one under this exception. Separate limited exceptions cover an unexpected, necessary short journey for a child aged 3 or older and lack of room for a third child seat.
🔗 gov.uk • UK Government, seat belts and child restraints; 🔗 gov.uk • UK Government, child car seats: the law; 🔗 gov.uk • UK Government, child-seat exceptions
Can you use a handheld mobile phone while driving in the United Kingdom?
No. It is illegal to hold and use a phone, sat-nav, tablet or other device that can send or receive data while driving. The restriction also applies when stopped in traffic, except for specific legal exemptions.
🔗 gov.uk • UK Government, using a mobile phone while driving
When must children use a child car seat in the United Kingdom?
Children must normally use an appropriate child car seat until they are 12 years old or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first. After that, they must use an adult seat belt where one is fitted.
Are motorcycle helmets compulsory in the United Kingdom?
Yes. Motorcycle riders and passengers must normally wear a helmet meeting the required safety standard, securely fastened. The Highway Code identifies an exemption for a follower of the Sikh religion wearing a turban.
