Thousands of drivers have been warned they could face harsh fines and penalties for failing to follow basic Highway Code rules.
It comes after online driving lesson marketplace EzLicence compiled the UK’s most Googled Highway Code questions, exposing significant knowledge gaps among motorists.
The findings revealed widespread uncertainty about common driving scenarios, from parking regulations to appropriate footwear behind the wheel.
The research detailed how many drivers, regardless of when they passed their test, regularly turn to Google for clarification on road rules.
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Drivers could be fined £1,000 for breaking Highway Code rules
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The research found thousands of monthly searches for questions about road regulations, with popular queries including yellow line parking restrictions, MOT requirements, and drink-driving limits.
Drivers also frequently search whether it’s legal to drive in certain types of shoes or with interior lights on. These search trends highlight how many everyday road rules continue to perplex British motorists.
The most common Highway Code conundrum generated a staggering 18,100 searches per month, with drivers wondering if they can park on a single yellow line.
The answer depends entirely on nearby signage, as single yellow lines indicate varying parking restrictions based on street signs and time of day.
According to Highway Code Rule 238, motorists should not park on a single line outside of restricted hours. The code details: “You MUST NOT wait or park on yellow lines during the times of operation shown on nearby time plates. Double yellow lines indicatea prohibition of waiting at any time, even if there are no upright signs.
“You MUST NOT wait or park, or stop to set down and pick up passengers, on school entrance markings (see ‘Road markings’) when upright signs indicate a prohibition of stopping.”
The second most searched question related to driving without an MOT, suggests widespread uncertainty about this legal requirement. According to the DVSA, driving without a valid MOT certificate can result in a fine of up to £1,000.
Drivers can book their MOT test up to one month before expiry to maintain the same renewal date. While generally illegal to drive without an MOT, limited exceptions exist for travelling to pre-booked MOT appointments.
The third most searched question, with 3,600 monthly queries, was about drink driving limits.In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the limit stands at 80mg of alcohol in the blood, while Scotland has a lower threshold of 50mg.
Police guidelines emphasise that alcohol affects everyone differently, with experts suggesting the safest approach is to avoid alcohol entirely before getting behind the wheel. Another common confusion concerns pavement parking, generating over 2,000 searches monthly.Highway Code rule 244 states that drivers should not position their vehicle where it could obstruct the road.
The code states: “You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London or Scotland. Exceptions are allowed in limited circumstances. You should not park partially or wholly on the pavement elsewhere unless signs permit it.
“Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs.”
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Drivers can be fined for pavement parking in London and in Scotland
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Meanwhile, footwear while driving generated significant confusion, with queries about Crocs receiving 1,600 monthly searches and flip-flops 1,000.
Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that drivers’ footwear should not obstruct their ability to control the vehicle. While there are no specific laws against wearing Crocs, flip-flops, or sliders, footwear must be suitable enough to operate the car safely.
Joe Parry, spokesman for EzLicence, said: “Our findings demonstrate the importance of brushing up on the Highway Code rules – even if you have been driving for a while. Although some questions about parking and footwear seem trivial, they do highlight a gap in knowledge about road rules.”
