The Official Highway Code
1.Rules for Pedestrians
Crossing the Road
The Green Cross Code:
A - First find a safe place to cross
B - Stop just before you get to the kerb
C - Look all around for traffic and listen
D - If traffic is coming, let it pass
E - When it is safe, go straight across the road - do not run
Crossings
Zebra Crossings
Wait until traffic has stopped from both directions or the road is clear before crossing.
Traffic does not have to stop until someone has moved onto the crossing.
Pelican Crossings
Signal-controlled crossings operated by pedestrians. Push the control button to activate the
traffic signals.
When the green figure begins to flash you should not start to cross.
Puffin Crossings
Differ from Pelican Crossings as the red and green figures are above the control box on your
side of the road and there is no flashing green figure phase.
Toucan Crossings
Light-controlled crossings which allow cyclists and pedestrians to share crossing space and
cross at the same time.
Equestrian Crossings
Are for horse riders.
Railway Level Crossings
You MUST NOT cross or pass a stop line when the red lights show. Also do not cross if an
alarm is sounding or the barriers are being lowered.
2.Rules for users of powered wheelchairs and powered mobility scooters
Called Invalid Carriages in law
There is 1 class of manual wheelchair (Class 1 invalid carriage) and two classes of powered
wheelchairs and powered mobility scooters. Manual wheelchairs and Class 2 vehicles have
an upper speed limit of 4mph and are designed to use on pavements.
Class 3 vehicles are those with an upper speed limit of 8mph and are equipped to be used on
the road as well as the pavement.
Powered wheelchairs and scooters MUST NOT travel faster than 4mph on pavements or in
pedestrian areas.
These vehicles MUST NOT be used on motorways. They should not be used on unrestricted
dual carriageways where the speed limit exceeds 50 mph. They MUST have a flashing amber
beacon.
,3.Rules about Animals
Horse-drawn vehicles used on the highway should be operated and maintained in
accordance with standards set out in the Department for Transport’s Code of Practice for
Horse-Drawn Vehicles.
All horse-drawn vehicles should have two red rear reflectors.
When riding on the road you should:
- Keep to the left
- Keep both hands on the reins unless you are signalling
- Keep both feet in the stirrups
- Never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when
riding round bends
You MUST NOT take a horse onto a footpath or pavement and you should not take a horse
onto a cycle track.
4.Rules For Cyclists
Clothing
You should wear:
- A cycle helmet which conforms to current regulations, correct size, securely fastened
- Appropriate clothes
- Light-coloured or fluorescent clothing which helps others see you in bad weather
- Reflective clothing and/or accessories (belt, arm or ankle bands) in the dark
At night
Your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red
rear reflector, white front reflectors and spoke reflectors.
You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.
Most bus lanes may be used by cyclists as indicated on signs.
You MUST NOT:
- Carry a passenger unless your cycle has been built or adapted to carry one
- Hold onto a moving vehicle or trailer
- Ride in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner
- Ride when under the influence of drink or drugs, including medicine
Road Junctions
On the left: Watch out for vehicles turning in front of you, out of or into the side road. Just
before you turn, check for undertaking cyclists or motorcyclists.
On the Right: Check the traffic to ensure it is safe, signal and move to the centre of the road.
Wait until there is a safe gap in the oncoming traffic and give a final look before completing
the turn.
Crossing the Road
Do not ride across equestrian crossings, a pelican, puffin or zebra crossing.
, 5.Rules for Motorcyclists
On all journeys, the rider and pillion passenger on a motorcycle, scooter or moped MUST
wear a protective helmet.
Riders and passengers of motor tricycles and quadricycles, also called quadbikes, should also
wear a protective helmet.
You MUST NOT carry more than one pillion passenger who MUST sit astride the machine on
a proper seat. Provisional licence holders MUST NOT carry a pillion passenger.
6.Rules for Drivers and Motorcyclists
Driving when you are tired greatly increases your risk of collision. To minimise this risk:
- avoid undertaking long journeys between might and 6 am, when natural alertness is at
minimum
- Take sufficient breaks, at least 15 minutes after every 2 hours driving is recommended
- If you feel sleepy, stop in a safe place
Vision
You MUST be able to read a vehicle number plate, in good daylight, from a distance of 20
metres.
Alcohol and Drugs
In England and Wales you MUST NOT drive with a breath alcohol level higher than 35
microgrammes/100 mililitres of breath or a blood alcohol level of more than 80
miligrammes/100mililitres of blood. In Scotland the limits are lower.
Vehicle towing and loading
- You MUST NOT tow more than your licence permits
- You MUST NOT overload your vehicle or trailer
- You MUST secure your load and it MUST NOT stick out dangerously.
Seat belts and child restraints
Adults and children aged 14 years and over, MUST use a seat belt or child restraint, where
fitted, when seated in minibuses buses and coaches.
Driver MUST ensure that all children under 14 wear seat belts or it in an approved child
restraint. If a child is under 1.35 metres (4 feet 5 inches), a baby seat, child seat, booster seat
or booster cushion MUST be used.
A rear-facing baby seat MUST NOT be fitted into a seat protected by an active frontal airbag,
as in a crash it can cause serious injury or death to the child.
1.Rules for Pedestrians
Crossing the Road
The Green Cross Code:
A - First find a safe place to cross
B - Stop just before you get to the kerb
C - Look all around for traffic and listen
D - If traffic is coming, let it pass
E - When it is safe, go straight across the road - do not run
Crossings
Zebra Crossings
Wait until traffic has stopped from both directions or the road is clear before crossing.
Traffic does not have to stop until someone has moved onto the crossing.
Pelican Crossings
Signal-controlled crossings operated by pedestrians. Push the control button to activate the
traffic signals.
When the green figure begins to flash you should not start to cross.
Puffin Crossings
Differ from Pelican Crossings as the red and green figures are above the control box on your
side of the road and there is no flashing green figure phase.
Toucan Crossings
Light-controlled crossings which allow cyclists and pedestrians to share crossing space and
cross at the same time.
Equestrian Crossings
Are for horse riders.
Railway Level Crossings
You MUST NOT cross or pass a stop line when the red lights show. Also do not cross if an
alarm is sounding or the barriers are being lowered.
2.Rules for users of powered wheelchairs and powered mobility scooters
Called Invalid Carriages in law
There is 1 class of manual wheelchair (Class 1 invalid carriage) and two classes of powered
wheelchairs and powered mobility scooters. Manual wheelchairs and Class 2 vehicles have
an upper speed limit of 4mph and are designed to use on pavements.
Class 3 vehicles are those with an upper speed limit of 8mph and are equipped to be used on
the road as well as the pavement.
Powered wheelchairs and scooters MUST NOT travel faster than 4mph on pavements or in
pedestrian areas.
These vehicles MUST NOT be used on motorways. They should not be used on unrestricted
dual carriageways where the speed limit exceeds 50 mph. They MUST have a flashing amber
beacon.
,3.Rules about Animals
Horse-drawn vehicles used on the highway should be operated and maintained in
accordance with standards set out in the Department for Transport’s Code of Practice for
Horse-Drawn Vehicles.
All horse-drawn vehicles should have two red rear reflectors.
When riding on the road you should:
- Keep to the left
- Keep both hands on the reins unless you are signalling
- Keep both feet in the stirrups
- Never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when
riding round bends
You MUST NOT take a horse onto a footpath or pavement and you should not take a horse
onto a cycle track.
4.Rules For Cyclists
Clothing
You should wear:
- A cycle helmet which conforms to current regulations, correct size, securely fastened
- Appropriate clothes
- Light-coloured or fluorescent clothing which helps others see you in bad weather
- Reflective clothing and/or accessories (belt, arm or ankle bands) in the dark
At night
Your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red
rear reflector, white front reflectors and spoke reflectors.
You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.
Most bus lanes may be used by cyclists as indicated on signs.
You MUST NOT:
- Carry a passenger unless your cycle has been built or adapted to carry one
- Hold onto a moving vehicle or trailer
- Ride in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner
- Ride when under the influence of drink or drugs, including medicine
Road Junctions
On the left: Watch out for vehicles turning in front of you, out of or into the side road. Just
before you turn, check for undertaking cyclists or motorcyclists.
On the Right: Check the traffic to ensure it is safe, signal and move to the centre of the road.
Wait until there is a safe gap in the oncoming traffic and give a final look before completing
the turn.
Crossing the Road
Do not ride across equestrian crossings, a pelican, puffin or zebra crossing.
, 5.Rules for Motorcyclists
On all journeys, the rider and pillion passenger on a motorcycle, scooter or moped MUST
wear a protective helmet.
Riders and passengers of motor tricycles and quadricycles, also called quadbikes, should also
wear a protective helmet.
You MUST NOT carry more than one pillion passenger who MUST sit astride the machine on
a proper seat. Provisional licence holders MUST NOT carry a pillion passenger.
6.Rules for Drivers and Motorcyclists
Driving when you are tired greatly increases your risk of collision. To minimise this risk:
- avoid undertaking long journeys between might and 6 am, when natural alertness is at
minimum
- Take sufficient breaks, at least 15 minutes after every 2 hours driving is recommended
- If you feel sleepy, stop in a safe place
Vision
You MUST be able to read a vehicle number plate, in good daylight, from a distance of 20
metres.
Alcohol and Drugs
In England and Wales you MUST NOT drive with a breath alcohol level higher than 35
microgrammes/100 mililitres of breath or a blood alcohol level of more than 80
miligrammes/100mililitres of blood. In Scotland the limits are lower.
Vehicle towing and loading
- You MUST NOT tow more than your licence permits
- You MUST NOT overload your vehicle or trailer
- You MUST secure your load and it MUST NOT stick out dangerously.
Seat belts and child restraints
Adults and children aged 14 years and over, MUST use a seat belt or child restraint, where
fitted, when seated in minibuses buses and coaches.
Driver MUST ensure that all children under 14 wear seat belts or it in an approved child
restraint. If a child is under 1.35 metres (4 feet 5 inches), a baby seat, child seat, booster seat
or booster cushion MUST be used.
A rear-facing baby seat MUST NOT be fitted into a seat protected by an active frontal airbag,
as in a crash it can cause serious injury or death to the child.
