The Highway Code UPDATES

2018

30 November 2018
Highway Code rules 149, 150, 160 and 239 have been updated to provide more detailed advice on safely using remote control parking and motorway assist functions.

General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (144 to 158)
Added information about using remote control parking and driver assistance systems to rule 150.

Using the road (159 to 203)
Updated rule 160 with information about using driver assistance systems while driving, and updated the illustration for rule 174 about box junctions.

Waiting and parking (238 to 252)
Updated rule 239 with information about using a hand-held device to help you to park.

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4 June 2018
Rule 253 of The Highway Code has been updated to make it clear that learner drivers can now drive on the motorway with an approved driving instructor in a car with dual controls.

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20 May 2018
Annex 3 - Motor vehicle documentation and learner driver requirements
The MOT test changed with new defect types, stricter rules for diesel car emissions, and some vehicles over 40 years old becoming exempt.

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26 April 2018
General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)
Update rule 108 to make it clear that traffic officers have powers to stop vehicles on most motorways and some ‘A’ class roads in both England and Wales - not just England.

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2017

28 July 2017
Annex 7. First aid on the road
Updated the guidance on providing emergency care with the help of St John Ambulance, the British Heart Foundation and the British Red Cross.

1 March 2017​
Annex 5. Penalties
Updated the penalty table to increase penalty points for using a hand-held mobile phone when driving from 3 to 6.

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2016

5 December 2016 published amendments
General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)
Rule 148 updated to include the information on it being offence in Scotland for anyone aged 18 or over to smoke in a private motor vehicle (unless it is parked and being used as living accommodation) when there is someone under 18 in the vehicle and the vehicle is in a public place. Also a link to the legislation has been added.


Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)
Updated Rule 209 to add an image of the school bus road sign.

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2015

Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (89 to 102)
    2 March 2015 : Updated rule 96 to reflect the change in law that you MUST NOT drive if you have illegal drugs or certain medicines in your blood above specified limits.  Read more >>
    5 December 2014: Updated rule 95 to reflect the change in law for lower drink drive limits in Scotland. 

General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)
    1 October 2015: Updated rule 148 to include that you MUST NOT smoke in a private vehicle carrying under 18s. Read more >>
    6 April 2015: Updated the national speed limit for goods vehicles (of more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in England and Wales on single carriageways from 40 miles per hour (mph) to 50mph, and on dual carriageways from 50mph to 60mph. Read more >>
    2 September 2014: Updated rule 147 about throwing things out of a vehicle from 'should not' to 'MUST NOT'. 
    2 April 2014: Changed 'Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)' to 'Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)' in rule 107. 

Annex 3. Motor vehicle documentation and learner driver requirements
    8 June 2015: Removed references to needing a paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence. 
    1 October 2014: Removed references of needing to display a tax disc in vehicles following their abolition.

Annex 5. Penalties
        5 June 2015: Updated the penalty table to remove the £5,000 limit on fines for the most serious offences. ​