Driving in the United Kingdom
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (November 2007) |
Driving in the
Speed limits
British roads are limited for most vehicles by the
Lane discipline
Drivers on multilane roads are legally required to use the left-most lane unless overtaking other vehicles on the road, unless signs or road markings indicate that the left-most lane(s) is only for traffic leaving at the next junction. Drivers who wish to overtake a slower vehicle are thus expected to move out from their lane (having used the indicator lights to warn other road-users of their intention to do so), pass the slower vehicle and return to the left-most lane. This enables faster traffic to overtake unhindered if it wishes to do so. On the UK's busiest roads, where there may be four or more lanes in each direction, there is often a situation where overtaking becomes continual as each successive lane moves at a slightly faster speed than that to its left.
On some
The action of undertaking, where the driver moves to the left of a slower moving vehicle to get past it is, although not illegal, discouraged on motorways under
Pedestrian crossings
There are two broad categories of pedestrian crossing to aid the safe passage across major roads by those travelling on foot. There are no laws against jaywalking in the UK.
- Traffic Light Controlled Crossings: Traffic is controlled by traffic light signals.
- Uncontrolled Crossings: Zebra and Parallel crossings give Pedestrians & cyclists in addition at Parallel crossings priority over traffic. These are marked using Black and white stripes are painted on the road and flashing amber Belisha beacons are on each side of the road. Drivers must give way to pedestrians & cyclists on the crossing.
Driving licence
Driving licences may be obtained by any UK resident over the age of 17, subject to certain conditions.[2] Initially, a provisional licence is issued, which restricts the holder to driving whilst accompanied by a driver who is at least 21 years old, who has held a full licence in the category of vehicle they are supervising the learner driver in for at least three years, The provisional licence may be exchanged for a full licence after the holder has passed the practical driving test. Upon reaching the age of 70, drivers may apply to have their licences renewed with their doctors' permission.
Many foreign driving licences permit one to drive in the UK, but must be exchanged for British licences after a year. Drivers from the USA, however, must take a British test if they wish to drive in the UK for more than a year after arriving in the country (with the exception of US military personnel stationed in the UK for a set period of time are allowed to drive on their US licence After completing their third Air Force licence training course.). This is because[
Enforcement
Some of the rules of the road should be enforced by the police, others are enforced by council wardens.
See also
- Highway Code
- Motorways
- Roundabouts
- Driving Standards Agency
- European Driving Licence
References
- ^ "Motorways (253-273)". Directgov. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "The Highway Code for obtaining a driving license in the UK". Retrieved 8 February 2024.