🚗 Driving in the UK – What You Need to Know
⚖️ Legal Requirements
If you have your own car or motorbike in the UK, you must have:
- ✅ A valid driving licence
- 💰 Paid your vehicle tax
- 🛡️ Vehicle insurance
You must also get your car or motorbike checked once a year by a mechanic. This is to make sure it is safe to drive. This check is called an MOT test.
Most vehicles need their first MOT when they are 4 years old.
🔗 You can find out more on the GOV.UK website: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
✅ Check if your licence is valid in the UK
🇪🇺 If you moved to the UK from an EU country:
- You can drive in Great Britain with a full, valid driving licence from any EU country.
- If you were younger than 67 when you became a UK resident, you can drive on your EU licence until you turn 70.
- If you were 67 or older, you can use your EU licence for 3 years after becoming a resident.
- You can exchange your EU licence for a British one when you can no longer use it.
🔗 Find out more: Exchange Foreign Driving Licence
🌍 If you moved to the UK from outside the EU:
- You can drive in the UK with a full, valid licence for 12 months from when you became a resident.
- After 12 months, you must:
- 📝 Apply for a provisional licence
- 📘 Pass the theory test
- 🚗 Pass the practical driving test
🔗 Find out more: Passing a UK Driving Test
👮♂️ Traffic Police
The police can stop a vehicle for any reason. If they ask you to stop, you must pull over safely.
🚫 It is against the law if you don’t stop.
The police can ask to see your:
- 🪪 Driving licence
- 📄 Insurance certificate
- ✅ MOT certificate
📆 If you do not have these documents with you, you must take them to a police station within 7 days.
🗺️ Route Planning
Roads in Leeds can get very busy, especially during rush hour (when people go to work or school).
To plan your journey, use online tools:
🛢️ The AA Route Planner also has a tool to help you calculate your petrol costs.
🚍 Using Bus Lanes
There are many bus lanes in Leeds, especially near the city centre.
🚫 Do not drive in bus lanes during the hours shown on road signs. These lanes are only for buses and emergency vehicles.
Look for signs that tell you:
- If the road is a bus lane or a bus gate (only buses can go through)
- The hours when you cannot drive in them
You could be fined if you drive in a bus lane during these times.
📘 Driving Rules
The UK drives on the left-hand side of the road.
But there are many other rules to follow. These rules may be different from the country you came from.
📗 Read the Highway Code – it gives rules and advice for all road users.
🔗 The Highway Code (GOV.UK)
🪧 Learn what road signs and markings mean:
🍺 Drink-Driving
It is illegal to drive with more than the legal alcohol limit in your body.
📏 The limit is 80mg per 100ml of blood (or 35 micrograms per 100ml of breath).
⚠️ It is very dangerous to drink and drive. Alcohol can stay in your body the next morning.
🚫 The best way to stay safe is not to drink any alcohol if you plan to drive.
If caught drink-driving, you could get:
- 🧑⚖️ Up to 6 months in prison
- 💷 An unlimited fine
- 🚫 A driving ban for at least 1 year (3 years if caught twice in 10 years)
🔗 You can compare drink-driving rules in different countries on the DIA website: Drunk Driving Law by Country
💊 Drug-Driving
It is illegal to drive if:
- You have taken too many drugs (even legal or prescription ones)
- Drugs make your driving unsafe
If the police catch you, you could get:
- 🚫 A driving ban for at least 1 year
- 👮♂️ Up to 6 months in prison
- 💰 An unlimited fine
🔗 Find out more: Drugs and driving: the law (GOV.UK)
📵 Using a Mobile Phone
It is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone or any similar device when driving.
This includes:
- 📞 Making calls
- 💬 Sending texts
- 📱 Using apps or SAT NAVs while holding the phone
📵 You are only allowed to use your phone if:
- You are safely parked
- You are calling 999 in an emergency
💡 You can use a hands-free device, but if the police think you are distracted, they can still stop you.
Penalties:
- 💷 £2000 fine
- ⚠️ 6 penalty points
- 🚫 If you passed your test in the last 2 years, you will lose your licence
🔗 Seatbelts
You and your passengers must wear a seatbelt if your car has them.
🚸 Children must sit in the correct car seat until:
- They are 135 cm tall OR
- They turn 12 years old
❗ Not wearing a seatbelt can result in a £500 fine.
🛑 Speeding
Speed limits in the UK are shown in miles per hour (mph).
🛣️ You will need to take notice of speed limits when you are driving as these can change frequently and may be different from the country you previously lived in. Drivers who speed can be caught by police officers or speed cameras at the side of the road. Roads with speed cameras on them will have signs to warn you the camera is there. If you speed, you could get:
- ⚠️ A verbal warning
- 📝 A speed awareness course (you must pay for this)
- 💷 A £100 fine + 3 penalty points on your licence
- 👨⚖️ Prosecution in court:
- Up to £1,000 fine (or £2,500 on motorways)
- Driving disqualification
❌ If you get 12 or more penalty points in 3 years, you could lose your licence.
🔗 More safe driving tips:
Think! is the UK road safety campaign. You can find out more about safe driving and the law on the Think! website:
🅿️ Parking in Leeds
In Leeds city centre, you usually have two options for parking:
- 🪙 Pay and display street parking
- 🅿️ Car parks
📄 Always buy a ticket for the time you need and display it clearly in your car.
🚫 If you don’t, you might get a parking fine.
Outside the city centre, you can park on most streets — unless there are yellow lines:
- 🚫 Double yellow lines = No parking at any time
- ⚠️ Single yellow lines = Parking allowed only at certain times. Check nearby signs to know when you can park.
🔗 More info: Parking in Leeds
