Motorists have been urged to remove snow and ice from their vehicles before driving this weekend, or risk a £2,500 fine and three penalty points. Bryn Brooker, Head of Road Safety at Nextbase, highlighted that failing to clear windscreens, side windows, and rear windows could lead to prosecution for 'using a vehicle in a dangerous condition'.
The Met Office has issued amber and yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and central and southern England, with the first major freeze of 2026 expected on Friday and Saturday. Up to 30-40cm of snow could accumulate on hills, with temporary blizzard conditions possible.
Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong warned that the cold spell is likely to persist into next week. Transport Scotland also cautioned that driving conditions would be impacted in areas under yellow warnings.
While driving with snow on a car is not explicitly illegal, police can issue a £60 fine and three penalty points under section 229 of the Highway Code if snow creates a hazard. Brooker stressed that drivers must also clear snow from the roof to prevent it falling onto the road and endangering others.
