Police have clarified when drivers are allowed to use their car horns, settling the debate over the exact times motorists must avoid sounding them. The guidance, which refers to Rule 112 of the Highway Code, warns that illegal use could result in a fine of up to £1,000.
One resident posed the question to the official Ask The Police website, which is operated by UK forces, asking: "When can I use my vehicle's horn?" The police responded by directing people to Rule 112.
What does Rule 112 say?
The forces and Gov.uk state that the rule reads: "The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence." It also urges people to "never sound your horn aggressively."
Alongside using your horn only when necessary, there are certain places and times when you're not allowed to use it. You must not use your horn while stationary on the road, or when driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7 am.
There is only one exception to this rule, the police say. Drivers should therefore not sound their horn as above, "except when another road user poses a danger."
Could I be fined for beeping my vehicle's horn?
According to motoring experts at RAC: "If you are caught illegally using a car horn, you could face a fine up to £1,000." It reminds drivers: "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."
Police have also settled the debate on what happens when you find someone parked in your space. This is a common issue, especially if motorists live in a property with rear-access parking, where it's frequently assumed that spaces are available for general use.
On the same police website, a person asked what action could be taken against unauthorised parking on private land. The police responded to say: "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."
What about parking on private land?
However, practically speaking, using the law to deal with unauthorised vehicles that are parked on private land can be both time-consuming and expensive. Usually, it is far more practical to take steps to restrict access using gates/barriers/fencing, etc., to ensure that only those who are entitled to enter gain access. 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 further parking guidance, Ask The Police experts advise that if a vehicle is obstructing access to your driveway, you should initially check with neighbours to establish whether they recognise the vehicle, so the owner can be approached and requested to move it. The police go on to clarify: "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."
You can verify whether your local council has adopted CPE via the GOV.UK website. Should your council have taken on CPE, you will typically need to report vehicles obstructing a dropped kerb directly to them. If your local council hasn't adopted CPE, you'll typically need to get in touch with your local police force instead. How it's handled can differ depending on the force and council area. In certain places, officers may only respond if it becomes an obstruction - for instance, if your vehicle is blocked in and you're unable to leave.
