4 of the most obscure driving offences - that are still illegal

Since you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you’re an experienced driver already – so you don’t need us to tell you too much about the Highway Code. People know, for example, that texting and driving is illegal, and speeding above certain limits on the motorway. (Whether or not they choose to abide by them is another matter!)

However, there’s also a wide range of laws that seem to be rather more obscure. Unfortunately though, you can still get prosecuted for them, whether you knew about their illegality or not. So, here’s a quick heads-up on some of the lesser-known legal violations – worth knowing whether you’re planning to hire a car, or drive your own!

Swearing at other drivers

Let’s be honest, we’ve all got angry at some point behind the wheel, and when the adrenaline is high in the heat of the moment, it can be all too easy to let a few bad words slip – especially if it’s been the result of some particularly dangerous driving from someone else. Technically though, swearing, hand gestures, or aggressive shouting is covered by Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, which covers threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour in public.

These actions breach public order and create hostile driving environments – especially since they can be quite dangerous themselves, causing distractions to the drivers involved in the altercation and others. Magistrates’ courts across England and Wales have upheld fines in cases where drivers leaned out of windows to shout abuse or used obscene hand gestures during traffic disputes. Thankfully for all of us, swearing inside the car, with windows closed, won’t usually result in prosecution. Otherwise, it’s safe to say that there would be quite the court backlog to deal with.

Charging passengers money for giving them lifts

Drivers who carry friends or acquaintances and ask for petrol money often assume they’re doing nothing wrong – and in most cases, generally aren’t. However, with large enough sums or regular enough trips, that can sometimes tip over into what’s legally regarded as unlicensed taxi activity. Anyone who receives payment for transport in a private car must hold a valid private hire licence issued by their local authority. Without it, they commit an offence under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 or the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998, depending on the region.

Councils such as Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow have prosecuted drivers for offering lifts through apps, Facebook groups or informal arrangements, even when they claimed to be covering fuel costs only. Enforcement officers check bank transfers, text messages and social media adverts to build a case. The courts interpret “hire or reward” broadly, so if a driver receives any form of compensation beyond a share of fuel and tolls, they may face prosecution. The odd bit of petrol money from a friend isn’t going to land you in court – but soliciting your car out to strangers is a bit more fraught, legally speaking!

Leaving the car while stopped on a single yellow line

Double yellow lines are an obvious danger zone. But there are lots of drivers who believe they can stop briefly on a single yellow line without breaking the rules, especially if they stay close to the car. However, the Highway Code states that single yellow lines indicate restricted parking during certain hours. So while drivers may load or unload in some cases, they must remain with the car unless a sign permits otherwise. When a driver steps away – even for a minute – such as to drop off a parcel or collect food from a takeaway, that’s when enforcement officers can step in. Councils enforce these rules through civil parking enforcement, using traffic wardens and camera systems to monitor activity in restricted zones.

It's worth noting that major city councils often deploy camera cars in high-traffic areas to catch drivers who assume they can leave the car “just for a second.” Local authorities issue penalty charge notices based on photographic evidence or eyewitness reports. It might not be popular with drivers – but it’s that kind of enforcement that stops city roads becoming a parking free-for-all.

Splashing pedestrians

It might seem harmless, but drivers who pass through puddles and soak pedestrians face more than just dirty looks – they may receive a fixed penalty notice or a court summons. Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 allows police officers to charge drivers with “careless and inconsiderate driving” when they create avoidable risks or cause distress – and splashing someone with water from a roadside puddle falls into this category.

Members of the public can also report the offence, providing dashcam footage or witness statements. Plus, let’s be honest, illegal or not – it’s just not a very nice thing to do. Not ever pedestrian drives, but every driver is a pedestrian at some point – so it’s always worth bearing that in mind!

Those are all the ones we’d suggest watching out for! And if you have any questions about the technicalities of hiring a van, car or minibus, we can help there too – just head on over to our FAQs page. Alternatively, if you’ve already got all the information you need and you’re looking to hire a vehicle soon, you can take a look at our flexi car hire options here, or browse our daily and weekly hire options. Don’t forget, our friendly team is only a phone call away - feel free to give us a ring on 01254 57811!