Most people recognise an ice cream van by its familiar tune, but few know that the chimes are limited to 12 seconds per play. This little-known rule is part of official guidance designed to reduce noise nuisance while allowing traders to operate.
Details of the rule
The so-called "12-second rule" means an ice cream van's chimes should not be played for longer than 12 seconds at a time. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) says timed cut-off devices should be used where possible to ensure the limit is not exceeded.
Chimes should not be played more than once every two minutes, and only once when approaching a selling point and once while the vehicle is stationary. There are further restrictions: vans should not sound chimes within 50 metres of schools during school hours, hospitals, or places of worship on recognised days of worship.
Additional restrictions
Chimes should not be played before noon or after 7pm. Operators are advised not to sound them more than once every two hours in the same stretch of street, or when another ice cream van is already trading nearby.
In Wales, the Welsh Government publishes a code of practice that aims to minimise annoyance caused by loudspeakers on ice cream vans. The code does not create new offences but supports local authorities and courts when considering noise complaints and enforcement under existing legislation.
Although many may never have heard of the 12-second rule, it remains one of the best-known recommendations within the official code. The next time an ice cream van passes by, its tune is likely to be much shorter than most people realise.
