Police have clarified when drivers may legally sound their car horn under Highway Code Rule 112, warning that misuse can lead to a fine of up to £1,000.
Rule 112 states: "The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence." It also urges drivers to "never sound your horn aggressively."
When the horn cannot be used
Drivers must not use their horn while stationary on the road, or when driving in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7 am. The only exception, police say, is "when another road user poses a danger."
The guidance was provided in response to a question on the official Ask The Police website, which is operated by UK forces. A resident had asked: "When can I use my vehicle's horn?"
Fine for illegal horn use
According to motoring experts at RAC: "If you are caught illegally using a car horn, you could face a fine up to £1,000."
The RAC adds: "Using the horn repeatedly without a legitimate safety reason may be considered misuse. A car horn is a safety device - and not something that is used to catch the attention of other drivers or as a sign of aggression."
Parking on private land
Police have also addressed what to do if someone parks in your space or driveway. On the same website, a person asked what action could be taken against unauthorised parking on private land. The police responded: "If you rent the land, we would suggest that you speak to the landlord/council with a view to them taking action. If you own the land, you could consider employing a private parking company to issue parking tickets."
However, using the law to deal with unauthorised vehicles on private land can be time-consuming and expensive. The police note it is often more practical to restrict access using gates, barriers or fencing. "If the gates/barriers/fencing are damaged, then it may be possible to take action against those responsible for the offence of criminal damage."
The Metropolitan Police offers similar guidance, saying: "If someone parks their vehicle on your driveway without your permission, this is trespassing. This is a civil dispute and not something we can help you with. If it happens repeatedly with the same person/vehicle you might want to seek advice from Citizens Advice or a solicitor, but we would always recommend having a polite word with the driver first, as there may have been a simple misunderstanding."
For vehicles blocking access to a driveway, Ask The Police experts say the first step is to ask nearby neighbours if they know who owns the vehicle. The police add: "In most areas, local councils have now taken on responsibility for enforcing parking provisions under what is known as Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE). Under CPE, it's an offence to park a vehicle that blocks a dropped kerb driveway."
Drivers can verify whether their local council has adopted CPE via the GOV.UK website. If CPE is in place, vehicles obstructing a dropped kerb should be reported to the council; if not, the issue should be reported to the local police force. What happens next varies by area and force, and in some locations officers may only get involved if the situation amounts to an obstruction, such as being blocked in and unable to drive out.
