You could be fined for wearing a winter coat behind the wheel

The cold weather is here which means many of us are now wearing our winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves. But if you’re a driver in the UK, did you know that you could be fined for wearing a winter coat behind the wheel?

This little known law of the road could mean that many motorists are driving illegally without even realising it. In this dedicated article on the topic, here at Octane Finance, we delve deeper into why wearing a winter coat while driving could land you in hot water…    

Is it illegal to drive with a coat on in the UK?

While it isn’t strictly illegal to wear a coat when driving in the UK, you could be fined if the coat hinders your driving. For example, if you were to wear a bulky coat while driving, it may interfere with your ability to see over your shoulder, or use the steering wheel and gearstick safely. 

But it’s not just winter coats that are frowned upon when it comes to being in charge of a vehicle; gloves, hats, scarves and even some boots are also deemed unsafe to wear while driving. It all comes down to the safety of you as the driver, any passengers you’re in charge of, and of course other road users too. 

During the Christmas period, you may also be tempted to drive while wearing a fancy dress outfit or even an entire Santa costume. Although seeing Santa drive past may make someone smile, it could land the driver with a slap on the wrist if the costume is deemed to be unsafe behind the wheel.   

Can you be fined for wearing a winter coat while driving?

Motorists should think twice before driving while wearing inappropriate clothing, such as a bulky coat and thick gloves. If your clothing causes careless driving, you could face an on-the-spot fine of £100 plus three penalty points on your licence. 

However, the fines don’t stop there. In some cases, you could be facing a fine of £5,000 should your case be taken to court. If your winter clothing led to an incident of dangerous driving, you can also expect nine penalty points on your licence or be banned from driving altogether.      

What is rule 97 of the Highway Code?

The Highway Code has been created to promote safety on the road for motorists and all other road users, and the rules are applicable to drivers in England, Scotland and Wales. It’s important to understand that some of the rules stated in The Highway Code are advisories, whereas others are legal requirements.  

As such, The Highway Code can be used as evidence in any court proceeding under the UK Traffic Act. Within the section called ‘Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (89 to 102)’, part of rule 97 states the following which relates to wearing winter clothing while driving:

You SHOULD ensure that -  

• Clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner

What other items of clothing are you not allowed to wear while driving?

Did you know that it’s not just winter coats or fancy dress costumes that could land you with an on-the-spot fine if deemed to be dangerous whilst driving? There are other items of clothing that can mean you end up on the wrong side of the law too, such as seasonal summer items like flip flops. 

If you’re a motorist, make sure you follow rule 97 in The Highway Code by avoiding wearing items of clothing that can be restrictive when in charge of a vehicle. Motoring experts have identified the top 10 clothes and footwear to avoid. These include:

1. Slippers. We’ve all been there; rushing out of the house during the school run and forgetting to change into suitable shoes. But no matter how comfy they are, your trusty house slippers simply won’t do.
2. Long skirts or dresses. Maxi dresses and long length skirts may look the part, but could risk careless driving if the item were to get caught in the pedals during manoeuvres.
3. High heels. Driving in a pair of heels isn’t the best idea when in charge of the steering wheel - not only can they damage the flooring, but stilettos especially can get wedged beneath the pedals. 
4. Baggy trousers. Wide-leg trousers or flared jeans are just two of the culprits that can get caught when using the break or clutch. 
5. Flip flops. Many people like wearing flip flops or sliders during the summer months, but wearing these while driving can in fact be very dangerous. Shoes or sandals that don’t fit behind your heel can get caught beneath the pedal and result in disastrous consequences. Ditch the flip flops while driving!
6. Sunglasses. Wearing sunglasses during sunny days is absolutely encouraged for driver safety, but some sunglasses are actually deemed too dark to drive in.
7. Wellington Boots. Whether you live on a farm or are simply avoiding the puddles during a downpour, driving in your wellies is a no-no if you want to remain on the right side of the law. Never drive in footwear that hinders your ankle movement.
8. Peaked hats. When wearing a hat while driving, consider how much it may impair your vision. Caps with large peaks aren’t the wisest choice and you could get in trouble for wearing a hooded top which is pulled up over your hat too. As a driver, you need to be able to rely on your peripheral vision.  
9. Chunky boots. Construction workers and traders are discouraged from driving in their heavy work boots because of their chunky size. Appropriate driving footwear should be narrow enough that they don’t touch more than one pedal at a time. 
10. Barefoot. Now this is a bit of a curveball! Although we’ve been sharing what NOT to wear while driving, you shouldn’t drive whilst barefoot either. Suitable footwear is always important when in charge of a vehicle. This is because most people aren’t able to brake with the same force when barefoot as they would with shoes on. 

All in all, it’s about being sensible with what you wear when behind the wheel. The Driving Standards Agency reiterates how important it is to follow The Highway Code by choosing clothes and footwear that do not prevent you from having complete control of the vehicle.