- Drivers could face fines of up to £2,500 for common festival-related mistakes, including charging friends for lifts.[4]
- Driving the morning after drinking[8], sleeping in your car[9], and even playing music too loudly[10] could result in penalty points or invalidate your insurance.
- Uswitch offers top tips for drivers to ensure they stay safe this festival season.
With festival season around the corner, drivers are being warned about unexpected fines and insurance pitfalls that could dampen the party.
To help festivalgoers stay protected, Felicity Ferguson, temporary car insurance expert at Uswitch, highlights some of the most common driving mistakes that could land you in trouble this festival season, including some lesser-known rules around charging friends for lifts, vehicle safety, and camping in your car.
- Pack smart. Overloading your car could cost you.
Cramming your car with camping gear might seem harmless, but if it tips you over your car’s weight limit, you could face a fine of up to £300 – or even a court date for major violations[1].
Check your car’s handbook for its weight limit and make sure everything’s secure. Overloading not only puts you and your passengers at risk, but it can increase stopping distances and add strain on components like your suspension[2].
Drivers who exceed their vehicle’s legal weight limit can face a £100 fine for being up to 10% over, £200 for 10-14%, and £300 with three penalty points for anything over 15%[1]. For 30% or more, you could be taken to court[1].
- Offering a lift? Don’t charge for more than fuel.
Offering friends a lift to a festival is a great way to save on costs and reduce emissions, but be careful not to accidentally break the law. While it’s perfectly legal to accept petrol money, you cannot make a profit from providing a lift unless you have a valid taxi or private hire licence[3]. If you’re found to be profiting, you could face up to eight licence points, a fine of up to £2,500 or an invalidation of your insurance[4].
- No wellies at the wheel.
Wellies are great for muddy fields, but not so much for car pedals. While it’s not illegal to drive in them, Rule 97 of the Highway Code states drivers must ensure their footwear does not hinder their ability to operate vehicle controls effectively[5].
If you’re in an accident and your wellies are thought to have reduced your control over the pedals, you could face an unlimited fine and up to nine penalty points under careless and inconsiderate driving[6].
- Think twice before driving the morning after.
You might feel fine the next day, but alcohol can stay in your system for longer than you think and driving while still over the limit is a criminal offence. In England and Wales, it’s illegal to drive with a breath alcohol level higher than 35 microgrammes[7]. If you’re stopped and still over the legal limit, you could face a driving ban, an unlimited fine, or even a criminal record[8].
Not sure you’re safe to drive? Don’t risk it. Wait, get tested, or let a sober friend drive. If they’re not insured, temporary cover can get them legally on the road with peace of mind.
- Camp outside your car, not in it.
After a long day, sleeping in your car might seem like a safe bet, but it could still land you in legal trouble. Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, you can be prosecuted for being ‘in charge’ of a vehicle in a public place while over the limit, and you would have to prove there was no chance you were going to drive[9]. Otherwise, you could face a fine of up to £2,500, three months in prison, and a possible driving ban[8].
- Mind your music.
Blasting your favourite playlist might get you in the festival mood, but loud music can mask sirens, nearby vehicles, or hazards, and compromise your awareness on the road. Under Rule 148 of the Highway Code, driving with music at a disruptive volume could be classed as careless and inconsiderate driving, leading to an unlimited fine and up to nine penalty points on your licence[6, 10].
- Keep it clean: dirty number plates could get you fined.
With the UK’s famously unpredictable weather and most festivals set in muddy fields, your car is bound to get dirty. But while a bit of grime is expected, a mud-covered number plate could land you in trouble.
There’s no law on how clean your car must be overall, but the Highway Code clearly states that number plates must be kept clean and visible at all times[11]. If your plate is obscured by mud, you could be pulled over and fined up to £1,000[11].
- Get your car road-trip ready.
A poorly maintained car can turn your festival road trip into a disaster. Long drives and muddy fields can push your vehicle to its limits, and if your tyres are worn, brakes faulty, or fluids low, you could be at greater risk of breaking down or causing an accident. Before you hit the road, check the basics: tyres, brakes, fluids, and lights.
Felicity Ferguson, temporary car insurance expert at Uswitch, comments:
“Festival season is all about fun, but it’s still important to stay safe and legal on the road. Simple things like an overloaded boot or a muddy number plate can lead to fines, points on your licence, or invalidated insurance.
Whether you’re heading to a festival or making your way back, temporary car insurance offers a stress-free way to stay covered, especially if you’re sharing the drive, borrowing a car, or not sure you’ll be okay to drive home.”
For more advice on staying safe behind the wheel this summer, or to get a temporary car insurance quote, visit Uswitch.com.