When is it illegal to use your horn?

23/3/2016

A horn should only be used when warning someone of any danger due to another vehicle or any other kind of danger, and not to indicate your annoyance.
It is illegal to use a horn on a moving vehicle on a restricted road, basically a road that has street lights and a 30 mph limit, between the times of 11:30 p.m. and 07:00 a.m.

80 Comments

Johnny McCory

24/3/2016 03:37:11

Good to know

precious

7/6/2016 08:00:19

Julie link

26/10/2016 10:58:49

Could you please clarify if this applies to the reversing horn on buses! We have been bombarded with two services each every 7 minutes so you can imagine the sheer volume of them. Iam awoken by the reversing horn at 4.30am onwards even 12.30am. I have complained Day in day out to NCT but they say they are advised by the police that they are in accordance with the law to do so. I live in a very quiet estate and have so for almost 22yrs and although we had a bus service for all these years one bus every 10-15 mins they suddenly with no warning put huge buses on the service and extended another service to come here also although there is no need! Both myself and other residents are suffering sleep deprivation and depression from all this! When I rang the police they said it's not a police matter. Environmental health said they can't help, councillors get no where and NCT just fob us off. I love my home I'm on a quiet nature reserve estate but running out of options other than to move home! Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

Alex Jones

11/11/2017 21:01:33

The bus driver has control of this horn and it can be turned off before putting the bus into reverse gear. The police advise is wrong and you should write to the chief constable with your complaint, PC plod only intends doing as least as is possible..

John

25/9/2018 21:16:59

I have the same issue of busses sounding horns on reversing at the rear of my property 24/7. This is illegal and totally unnecessary as they are stationary and all busses have reversing alarms and reversing lights anyway.

Jeremy Bonington-Jagworth

2/1/2019 13:06:51

As John points out, it's a reversing warning (beeper):

NOT the horn!

Anthony Larlham

30/4/2019 20:44:18

Reversing alarms are exempt under Construction & Use Regs 1986 Sec99, if bus (or truck over 2000kgs) is moving backwards with engine running.

Jan

2/9/2020 08:27:53

Rule 112 of the Highway code says that you must not use your horn “when driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30pm and 7.00am.

Katie

15/6/2019 04:00:48

Connor link

30/4/2020 17:32:29

Joe

26/4/2021 20:54:45

Yes Jan, rule 112 states horn must not be used, however reverse beeps are not your horn as they are a warning, and as such are treated different and have an exemption to the rule, as stated above by Antony

Alison

21/7/2021 03:09:16

YES

Eddie Craven

6/2/2018 23:51:15

What is the penalty if you break this law?

CaroleAnne

3/6/2018 17:48:25

£30 -£1,000 for deliberate mis-use. If you don't know what deliberate misuse is, then i suggest you re-take your test.

Jeremy Bonington-Jagworth

2/1/2019 13:10:10

What is the significance of "If you don't know what deliberate misuse is, then i suggest you re-take your test"?

And how is re-taking your test relevant to it?!

Paul Lewin

17/11/2019 12:31:21

Certainly the theory part of your test is relevant to it yes, your overall 'practical' driving skills could (and should) be looked at also. A person who has passed their UK driving test should know what deliberate mis-use of a vehicle's horn is, without it having to be explained to them.

Mr colin murphy

11/5/2018 18:57:56

hat are the rules regarding sounding a horn while stationary or picking up a passenger who is in a property. What is the limit on hours this can be done e.g ot between 22.00 hrs and 08.00 hrs ????

CaroleAnne

3/6/2018 17:53:39

it can't be done at any time, that's deliberate mis-use of your horn.

joyce cattanach

11/6/2018 03:54:50

It is illegal to sound your horn from a STATIONARY vehicle , AT ANY TIME !

Duminda

21/7/2018 20:53:58

Rule 112
The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn

while stationary on the road
when driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am
except when another road user poses a danger.
Law CUR reg 99

E.g. When you are stationary, if someone reversing on to your vehicle then you can sound the horn.

Roger Pullan

6/9/2018 11:53:08

Your statement is not quite true. According to Rule 112, of the Highway Code, You MUST NOT use your horn while stationary on a road - "except" when another road user poses a danger.

Mark

23/4/2019 10:08:53

"Except when another road user poses a danger" Law Construction and Use Regulation

David Argyle link

8/10/2020 14:04:55

if you are stationary and the can is switched of ie but not on the road can you press your horn

phil

11/3/2021 17:09:28

This is wrong.

If you are stationary and it looks like someone may run or more likely reverse into you you may use your horn.

AT ANY TIME OF DAY

Paul link

11/5/2021 13:25:22

If you are stationary and a vehicle is reversing and does not see you, you may use your horn to warn off your presence.

Paul link

11/5/2021 13:31:19

If you are stationary and a vehicle is reversing and does not see you, you may use your horn to warn of your presence.

Michael Maxfield link

30/9/2018 14:46:01

Is it iollegal to drive a car on public roads with a broken car horn?

Yolande

13/11/2018 20:30:58

My neighbour gets picked up at 640 every morning and his friend beeps his horn whilst outside our house. I have called the council who say it is a police matter and called the police who state that there is no offence committed.
Absolutely infuriates me that the highway code clearly states that this an offence when actually no one is willing to deal with, any advice would be welcomed.

Stone

16/11/2018 00:05:48

My neighbours daughter drives past there house regularly and every occasion sounds her horn 3 times - advice of action please

anonymous link

13/1/2019 11:19:21

my advice is get a life u sad bastard

The Real Anonymous

30/1/2020 11:54:59

So we have a retard commenting on here who thinks they are above the law ! - Anonymous I wish I could trace you down and give you a good hiding for such a nasty comment to someone innocently 'living a normal life' unlike yourself. People like you need to be put in some kind of reformation institute to teach you manners and respect. No wonder the world is turning into a mess with scumbags like you who think you are above the law !!

Joe

26/4/2021 20:57:15

If it's between 11.30pm and 07.30am you can contact the police, if it's not between those times there is nothing you can do.

Elizabeth Storey

26/6/2021 08:18:23

If the police and/or council cannot or will not act you can apply to the magistrates' court for a noise abatement order

Rob

17/4/2019 07:54:11

You need to tell the nieghbour to tell whoever it is who picks them up. If that doesnt work, you tell the guy pressing the horn to stop it in a firm but polite way. If that doesnt work, tben you and the other nieghbours need to say something

wilf

6/6/2019 07:20:49

I have the same horn sounding as they pull off for work 6:45 am
10 feet from my bedroom window
.
council say they don't find it an annoyance or an offence .

they told me its just the way you perceive it ??. it may be that they don't now its affecting your sleep ???.

6:45 am I have mentioned it to council several times so they do .

its alright having laws and rules but it depends on the personal opinion of the people you tell not what's written .

Jonny Kilter

28/9/2019 15:45:53

My advice is set your alarm for 6am, get up and go to work like a adult.

Anonymous

30/1/2020 11:49:24

Jonny Kilter - you obviously ain't no adult coming out with a childish comment like that ! - Would you speak to your father like that? Have some respect for others and their circumstances - not everybody gets up that early in the morning you buffoon !!

Joe

26/4/2021 21:00:05

What about night workers then johnny, should they get up during the day too?

Wilf it's the police you want to talk to not the council, unfortunately they can't do anything however sounding horn before 7.00 is a criminal offence

Simon Fielker

3/7/2019 16:53:57

Write to the police. Section 59 of the Road Traffic Act allows the police to give drivers a warning if they are reported to have used their vehicle in a manner which causes "alarm, distress or annoyance". If that vehicle is then used to commit further act/s of "alarm, distress or annoyance" within a year, the police have the right to confiscate the vehicle.

Eboni Thomas

28/7/2019 15:28:29

It baffales me that no one here see's the danger here..... The driver cannot see behind the bus. This helps to ensure that anyone or anything behind the bus knows that the driver is going to move into reverse therefore if unseen you have a chance to move to safety thus the driver cannot see you. However you can see the driver. Anyone who has a complaint on this matter should look at it this way.... If their child was backed over by a bus because there was nothing set in place to signal the driver or the child of the immediate danger how would they opinionate this matter then? Some people are so selfish to see things that can help others until it is them that has to bear the pain of such a selfless rule. Its not always about you! Look at everyone who would be effected by such a disaster and see if you would be okay with replacing yourself in their place.

Joe

5/12/2019 07:42:12

There's normally reverse cameras on busses now, so should all be down to the skill of the bus driver.
In India they don't even have reverse lights half the time and they manage it.

Joe

26/4/2021 21:03:50

Hi Joe, yes they may have reversing cameras on new busses but there are still plenty of old ones out there with out, also reverse cams have huge blind spots that you could hide am elephant in, so wouldn't advise bus drivers to purely rely on these

Crimebodge link

29/9/2019 20:33:07

Report it to your local authority as noise nuisance. If they refuse to investigate threaten to report them to the Local Government Ombudsman. They will soon change their tune.

Buscarello

28/2/2019 22:12:27

My advice to anonymous is "man up and identify yourself". It is an offence to sound your horn except when there is a danger to other road users. Reversing bleepers are audible warning devices and subject to the same rules as a horn, although I have driven vehicles not fitted with a switch. I always defect such vehicles! The 11.30 PM -07.00AM Rule only applies in a built up area ie 30mph zone with street lights.

Joe

26/4/2021 21:06:49

Apart from the fact the a reverse beeper is subject to a different law as it is not technically an horn

Construction & Use Regs 1986 Sec99, if bus (or truck over 2000kgs) is moving backwards with engine running

Sam

21/5/2019 18:01:07

Is it against the law for sounding your horn when picking people up

Robin Latchem

18/6/2019 09:59:37

Some cars, notably Mercedes, sound their horn when the car is being locked. Agreed it is hardly a major nuisance but it's another annoying piece of street noise which appears to be an illegal act by the manufacturers.

Andy Moan

15/10/2019 14:38:00

I had a Renault Captur hire car, and it beeped for 15-30 seconds after locking, just out of respect to neighbours I googled how to turn that off and found that owners had the same problem and it was not being fixed by dealers, who had 'fully checked' all systems.

note - an online manual now says it is a feature that your dealer can turn off for you (kerching!)

david allen

21/6/2019 13:25:01

So after the 20th time this month getting cut out by a person in a hurry (90% of the time rolling through a stop sign or making right on red without looking) then proceeding slowly and not using turn signal AT THE VERY NEXT STREET - I CANT WAKE THE DRIVER UP MAYBE MAKING HIM REALIZE HE/SHE FORGOT SOMETHING?

I thought not using turn signal was some form of violation?

Bernard Chirambo link

22/6/2019 21:58:23

Horns can sometimes be very disturbing especially when you are sleeping.

Educating the community on the mater can likely bring positive impact.

Eboni Thomas

28/7/2019 15:37:01

It seems as if everyone wants it in literal terms....... In life or death..... If hearing a horn infuriates you this much look at it this way; that long day where you were tired and slightly dosed off, not completely but you felt yourself slipping and this person on the opposite side of the road blew their horn and you snapped out of it saving your life and theirs. If hearing that horn infuriated you at that moment in your life, then maybe you just don't need to have anything to do with a car period. Its not always about YOU!

twelve

9/8/2019 18:48:30

Simply, anyone who bashes on their car horn unnecessarily is an inconsiderate, moronic idiot. When was the last time that anyone used their horn for danger?

Chris

30/7/2019 15:26:56

Can you tell me if i can make a complaint about neighbors friends sounding their horn to announce their arrival and when leaving.

Andy Moan

15/10/2019 14:39:45

If you capture that on video, you could submit it to The Police, as it is a road traffic violation, especially at night

J M Tracy

16/8/2019 07:33:59

Can anyone clarify the precise legal situation here:

You are sitting behind a car at a red light which turns green. The driver in front is engrossed in something else and doesn't notice the green light. Is it legal for me to lightly toot my horn to alert him? This is not a dangerous situation so doesn't appear to be covered by the code. The only other way to alert him would be to leave my car and knock on his window, which is not safe.

John

18/8/2019 17:08:39

Normally it is illegal to sound your horn if stationary, except if there is a danger.
Sitting stationary for long at a green light can be considered dangerous because other road users might not expect traffic to be stopped if the light is green and bump you from behind by accident.
So you could use your horn if they take too long to start.

Andy Moan

15/10/2019 14:41:00

The Highway code says you can sound it to make a driver aware of your presence, so I guess it's making him aware that you are presently waiting.

Fay

2/10/2019 21:14:46

Does nobody get out of their cars and ring on a door bell anymore. Regardless of how illegal it is sounding your horn when picking someone up (which it is),why don't they get off their backsides and knock in the front door? One word... IDLE

Simon Fielker

2/10/2019 23:18:15

Couldn't agree more. People won't walk a car length, when they can pull up outside a house and blow their (multidirectional) horn. These are the same people who spend their life glued to a phone, but couldn't phone someone to come out of their house, either! I believe they're attention seekers with their "Look at me" attitude. Stupid and rude.

Molly

18/10/2019 07:37:52

I have an annoying lady coming every day at 7:30 to my neighbours to pick someobe up. It is always same time so they know, she csn use her phone or just go to knock on door. I told her she shouls stop it. I often work at night, my fiance is a driver he is so tired and here she is again. After 2 weeks she did thst again. Sometimes she is pressing horn multiple times in an angry manner. She just woke me up again and im ill feeling bad and now i cant sleep again. Should i just record her because she doesnt understand? She is just between houses on little street using horn to announce that she arrived.

JCH

29/6/2021 07:34:01

I’ve just been woken up AGAIN by a chap parking right under my bedroom window and sounding his horn to pick up a lad three doors down - who is NEVER waiting for him! I’ve asked twice now that he doesn’t toot his horn and was told this morning in no uncertain terms that “it’s after 7am so they’re allowed to do it”. I told him to go read the Highway Code and thanked him for his common courtesy. I don’t think this is going to end well.
Deepest sympathies to you. x

Cat

4/11/2019 15:07:49

Is it legal to test your horn when completing a vehicle check sheet as part of company policy?

Joe

5/12/2019 07:45:09

My question is this, what car horn tunes are you allowed? My neighbour has one of those comical horns, it sounds cool at first but then he presses over and over and over and then it gets annoying. Just wondering you're allowed these?

tori

26/2/2020 12:42:20

What about when a pedestrian is crossing the road, already half across when a car decides to turn in (indicating too late) and beep at the pedestrian who has not yet made it to the other side?

Neil H

13/3/2020 14:38:23

I have a running gripe with a local taxi driver, who regularly picks up a neighbour, by pulling up in front of his house (door opens directly on to the street) and sits in car using four (loud) blasts of his horn to let his fare know that he is outside and waiting, rather than get out of his seat and walkin the three of four meters to knock on the door.

I have told him that Rule 112, of the Highway Code says: "You MUST NOT use your horn while stationary on a road - "except" when another road user poses a danger", and: "A horn should only be used when warning someone of any danger due to another vehicle or any other kind of danger, and not to indicate your annoyance." (I assume impatience and personal convenience (laziness)may be included here.)

The taxi driver says he can peep his horn whenever he likes between certain daylight hours.

I don't believe a taxi-driver should be exempt from regulations. We remain in dispute over this. Is my position reasonable, or does the Taxi driver have a case for using his horn in this manner?

Appreciate a legal (rather than a moral) response to this!

Thanks.

John S

22/3/2020 11:19:20

Tori..... Why would you want to sound your horn at a pedestrian who has right of way?

Peter David Paddon

28/3/2020 15:36:51

Isn't specifying a 30 mph speed limit a bit passe now that many urban streets are 20 mph.

Naz

17/5/2020 00:00:19

Hi,

I have a question regarding the use of the horn.

Is it legal to horn at a vehicle which is driving 10miles below the speed limit causing the driver behind them to slow down and cause traffic buildup. This action of the slow moving vehicle is causing if not all most all the other moving vehicles behind them to use thier horn.

The time is 7pm and the speed limit is 30mph.

I have read the highway code but could not get a clear understanding of this. Is the slow moving vehicle posing any danger by driving 10miles below the speed limit? Is it not true that any moving vehicle driving 5miles slower poses more threat on the road than a vehicle driving 5miles faster?

Your answer to this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Andy Moan

17/5/2020 20:22:48

There is usually no minimum speed limit. Travelling at 20 in a 30 limit does not seem unreasonable since there was a campaign a few years ago asking drivers to do that. Beeping a car because it is doing 20 in a 30 limit is probably intimidatory driving, so it's probably illegal, but I'd be surprised if anything came of it because of a driver doing it - but you never know. Is doing 20 in a 3o limit bad? Ther might be a reason, such as there being a lot of kids around

Naz

18/5/2020 10:07:20

Hi Andy,

Thanks for your response, just to clarify the street was completely empty with no pedestrian or children in sight. The driver had no traffic in front.

So your saying doing 20 on a 30 limit is perfectly ok. Even when the car behind is restricted to slow down any further due to the build up of traffic behind him. Is the car behind this slow moving driver now not at risk of driving too close to them and slowing down anymore increases the chances of a road traffic collision behind as well as in front. Their is a chain of drivers who are agitated/annoyed behind him also in the same position and any sudden braking from this driver now could result in a sudden accident.

Do you still not have the legal right to use the horn to alert the driver in front? I beg of you please let me use the horn, show some mercy.

I know thier might be some drivers out thier honking away as if it's like a musical instrument or something but I keep hearing people say it is illegal unless thier is a risk. How would anyone conclude to honk as inappropriate without a full picture and determine weather thier was a risk or not without being in the cockpit of the car.

Thier is certainly some greys here!

Go as slow as you like, just dont break the speed limit and thier will be no risk! Questionable!

Warning! Do not use the horn at any cost even if you are unsure of any risk. And if you are brave enough to blow that honk, make sure you have a full tank "for this will take you through a never ending journey to prove your innosence and justify your means"...of the legal use of the horn.

Apologies for the terrible humour and hope this does not offend anyone.

Nigel

15/2/2021 17:30:35

There is a minimum speed, it is undefined and can be classed as dangerous or inconsiderate driving - or obstruction of the highway.
The warning device (Horn) is there to advise other road users of your presence in appropriate circumstances. To give a short beep in these circumstances - to warn - a vehicle is behind you, is not unreasonable. Hanging on to the horn to tell someone to speed up is an offence, and the driver should continue at a reasonable speed, not exceeding the speed limit and ignore the driver behind (as per the Highway Code).

23/8/2020 07:46:48

Hi, a car with a group of youngsters beeped and yelled out of car window when passing my nephew on his pedal bike. This cause him to loose his balance and he has now broken his ankle leg and has other injuries. Can you advise as to the law regarding this? Thankyou

Nigel

15/2/2021 17:26:18

If the driver did it, then it is dangerous and inconsiderate driving. If it was passengers, then it is more likely to be an offence under S.59 Police Reform Act 2002 Causing harassment alarm or distress or likely to cause harassment alarm or distress.

Faye

25/8/2020 07:42:10

There is a van which delivers to a local shop every morning and as it pulls out of the side alley into our road it beeps, every morning circa 730 without fail. He's obviously doing it to warn cross traffic but surely he should instead stop and look rather than honking. It's mildly annoying. It's after 7am and I can see the logic but it's a totally unnecessary disturbance. Worth reporting or is he within his rights?

Tess

19/12/2020 08:18:23

Can someone blow their horn behind you at a roundabout. It happened to me this morning and it frightened me. I felt pressurised to move into the traffic. I was really angered by it because I wasn’t there long. Many thanks

Nigel

15/2/2021 17:22:32

The offence is Misuse of a Warning Device - speak to your local Safer Neighbourhood Team. If they are unable to deal, speak with your local MP or better still, tweet the issue including the local Safer Neighbourhood Police and your MP. It is a police matter, I have dealt with loads of them £50 fixed penalty fine.

Richard

24/4/2021 16:17:55

Horns should be removed from all cars. They are entirely unnecessary, in the modern use of a motor vehicle.

A significant proportion of motorists regularly misuse the horn and in doing so endanger the lives of other road users.

As a cyclist, pedestrian and motorist the amount of times I have experienced and witnessed illegal and improper horn use is incredible. Poor drivers will race up behind other road users and blast their horns unnecessarily which can make the other person jump and cause accidents.

DO NOT USE YOUR HORN. UNLESS...

it is a live and death situation.

JCH

29/6/2021 07:44:04

Not true. I’ve had to use my horn when a driver was reversing towards the front of my car without looking behind properly. To say she was surprised when she heard my horn was putting it mildly, but it prevented damage to my car.

Jamie C

25/5/2021 14:32:49

I don't see any mention of morons beeping just to say 'hi' and wave when they see someone they know walking down the street. This infuriates me because I consider a car horn an alarm sound and it breaks by concentration. If there is no actual hazzard, this could cause an accident. Is this an offence?

A Crewe link

26/7/2021 16:38:07

What is the rule for drivers beeping their horn when driving around a corner just to warn oncoming traffic near to a residential area?

When is it illegal to use your horn?

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