The Highway Code traps: 5 driving rules that catch everyone out

It’s easy to get complacent once you’ve passed your driving test. We spend years learning the rules, but as driving habits form, some crucial regulations from the Highway Code tend to fade from memory. Worse, we start making assumptions about them.

Avoiding these common pitfalls isn’t just about escaping a fine. It’s about safety and keeping our roads running smoothly.

Ready for a refresher? We’ve highlighted 5 of the most frequently misunderstood UK driving rules that catch out even experienced drivers, plus the rules on phones and on giving way to people walking and cycling.

1. The yellow box junction dilemma

The yellow box junction is designed to prevent gridlock. The rule seems simple: you must not enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear.

The trap: Many drivers forget the single, critical exception (Highway Code Rule 174). You can enter the box and wait if you are turning right, and you are only prevented from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles also waiting to turn right. If you’re going straight ahead, however, your exit must be completely clear before you cross the line.

The cost: Penalty charge notices (PCNs) for improper use can run from £70 to over £100, depending on the local authority.

2. The great pavement parking confusion

Is it okay to park with 2 wheels on the pavement to allow other vehicles room to pass? The law on pavement parking is stricter than many realise.

The trap: Pavement parking is banned entirely in London and Scotland unless signs explicitly permit it. In the rest of England and Wales, you are currently allowed to park on the pavement unless a local Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) prohibits it (usually indicated by signs). However, under Rule 242, police or local authorities can still fine you if your vehicle causes an unnecessary obstruction or danger to pedestrians, especially those with pushchairs or mobility aids. The safest option is always to keep your wheels off the kerb.

3. Smart motorways and the red ‘X’

Smart motorways use technology to manage traffic flow, but the rules around them are non-negotiable and essential for safety.

The trap: Seeing a red ‘X’ sign above a lane means that lane is CLOSED (Highway Code Rule 258). Many drivers assume they can continue until they reach the blockage. You can’t. The lane is closed to allow emergency services access or to protect people and vehicles ahead. Driving in a lane marked with a red ‘X’ is extremely dangerous and illegal.

The cost: Drivers caught ignoring a red ‘X’ can face a minimum penalty of £100 and 3 penalty points on their licence, or more severe prosecution.

4. What’s the speed limit when towing?

For drivers towing a trailer or a caravan, knowing the reduced speed limit is crucial for stability and legality.

The trap: If your vehicle is towing a trailer or caravan, the national speed limit is automatically reduced:

• Single carriageways: The limit is 50 mph (not 60 mph).
• Dual carriageways and motorways: The limit is 60 mph (not 70 mph).

This reduced limit applies to the combined vehicle and trailer, ensuring you maintain control and comply with the law.

5. Giving way to emergency vehicles (legally)

When an ambulance, fire engine, or police car approaches with sirens and lights, the first instinct is to panic and pull over immediately.

The trap: While you must make way for emergency vehicles, you are never permitted to break the law to do so (Highway Code Rule 219). This means you must not:

• Drive into a yellow box junction where you would cause an obstruction.
• Cross a solid white line to pull over.
• Drive through a red traffic light.
• Pull into a restricted bus lane.

The correct action is to slow down, signal, and pull over safely where legal, allowing the emergency vehicle to pass without committing a driving offence yourself.

Using your phone while driving

It’s illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav or any other device that can send or receive data while you’re driving. That includes taking photos, scrolling through playlists and playing games.

Can I still use a phone hands-free?

Yes, as long as you don’t hold it. Hands-free options include:

• A Bluetooth headset
• Voice command
• A phone in a dashboard or windscreen holder that doesn’t block your view of the road
• A built-in sat nav

Hands-free isn’t a free pass, though. If you’re distracted and not in proper control of the car, you can still be stopped, as our guide to common driving myths explains.

Can I use my phone if the car has stopped?

No. The rules still apply when you’re:

• Stopped at traffic lights
• Queuing in traffic
• Supervising a learner driver

One exception: you can use your phone to make a contactless payment when the car is stationary, such as at a drive-through window.

When can I use a hand-held phone?

You can use a hand-held phone if:

• You’re safely parked
• You need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop

What’s the penalty for using a phone while driving?

You could get 6 penalty points and a £200 fine for using a hand-held phone while driving. Points on your licence could also push up your insurance price. Learners aren’t exempt either, because you can get points on a provisional licence too.

Giving way to people walking and cycling

Some of the most misunderstood rules in the Highway Code are about who should give way to whom.

The hierarchy of road users

The Highway Code places road users in a hierarchy. Those who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they pose to others. So drivers of large vehicles carry more responsibility than car drivers, and car drivers carry more than people cycling, riding horses or walking.

It doesn’t mean anyone else can ignore the rules. Everyone should know the Highway Code and be considerate to others. Our guide to sharing the road with cyclists and motorbikes has more practical tips.

Priority at junctions

The trap: Many drivers think pedestrians only have priority at a zebra crossing or a set of traffic lights. In fact, at a junction you should give way to people crossing or waiting to cross the road you’re turning into or out of. That means:

• If people have started crossing and you want to turn into the road, they have priority
• Drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists must give way to people on a zebra crossing, and to people walking and cycling on a parallel crossing

A parallel crossing is like a zebra crossing, but with a cycle route alongside the black and white stripes.

The Dutch Reach

Opening a car door into a cyclist’s path can cause serious injuries. The Highway Code recommends the Dutch Reach (guidance rather than law):

1. Reach: use the hand furthest from the door to reach for the handle.
2. Swivel: this turns your body, so you can see your mirror and out of the side window.
3. Look back: check over your shoulder for oncoming traffic and cyclists.
4. Open slowly: once the road is clear, open the door slowly and step out facing the traffic.

You can read the full rules in the Highway Code on GOV.UK.

If you’re brushing up on the rules before a test, or just getting back into driving, make sure you’re covered. Learners can practise in a friend’s or family member’s car with learner driver insurance, and full licence holders can look at temporary car insurance.