This Halloween, motorists face immediate £200 fines and penalty points on their licenses for violating driving laws.
Drivers risk an on-the-spot £200 fine and three penalty points this autumn for breaching essential driving regulations. Experts have advised against decorating cars for Halloween, warning it could lead to an immediate penalty.
The rules
Swansway Motor Group explained that placing a mask on the passenger seat head rest could result in an immediate £200 fine and three penalty points for distracted driving or not maintaining proper care and attention while driving.
UK law states: “The offence of driving without due care and attention (careless driving) occurs when a driver’s standard falls below what is expected of a competent and careful driver and includes failing to show reasonable consideration for other road users.”
Possible fines
A spokesperson for Swansway Motor Group commented: “It’s great to see people embracing the Halloween spirit, but drivers should be mindful that certain decorations can create serious road hazards.
“Even simple items like spider web decorations on the dashboard or stickers on the rear windscreen can obstruct visibility, potentially leading to fines of up to £1,000.”
The group stressed that safety should be the priority when decorating vehicles, noting that the DVLA has issued specific guidelines on permissible items.
“Anything that obstructs your view or distracts you while driving can create dangerous conditions. The DVLA advises that any object obscuring the driver’s vision must be removed immediately to ensure road safety,” the spokesperson added.
Additional fines can be issued for improper use of stickers. Stickers may be used to alert other motorists, display support for a favorite sports team, or celebrate the festive season—but only if positioned correctly.
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What is allowed?
Stickers can be applied using magnetic signs and may be placed near the registration plate on the boot of a car or the windscreen.
Automotive expert Darren Miller from BigWantsYourCar.com explained: “If the police believe a sticker is obstructing your view, they can issue an immediate £100 fine.” He added that this penalty could rise to £1,000, with drivers also risking three points on their licence if the matter goes to court.
In more serious cases, drivers could face a dangerous driving charge, which can carry fines of up to £5,000.
Under Regulation 30 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, all motor vehicles must be designed and constructed so that the driver “can at all times have a full view of the road and traffic ahead of the motor vehicle.”
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