In th UK is it true that you are not permitted to reverse your car out of your drive onto a main road?

Question

If so, does that mean you should reverse INTO the drive?

Also, if it is a law, then why doesn't anyone obey it, is it because no-one is ever prosecuted for it, and can I do it with impunity?

Thanks for answering.

Answer 1

Hello,

The answer to this particular question is 'no'. This is because you will need access to roads, so if you have driven in, there really needs to be a way out. But, be sure to make all round observations, this includes checking both wing mirrors, and the rear view. This guarantees a collision free drive.

Answer 2

Its not illegal - although it is dangerous - not recomended

Answer 3

That's right your not.

It is dangerous to reverse out onto a main road, you can get a fine & 3 points

Answer 4

I suspect that if you hit anything when you reversed out of your drive then your insurance company would not pay out - since it would be your fault.

Answer 5

Nope...

Answer 6

It isn't illegal to do so but not recommended.

Answer 7

Total rubbish, It is illegal to reverse out of a side street into a main road. Its just not very smart to reverse from a drive.

Answer 8

You are not allowed to reverse from a minor road ( driveway) into a major road.  

If you do have an accident reversing out of your driveway then you are at fault, your insurance will not pay out.

Answer 9

you shouldn't, if the police see you doing that you will have a fine and points on your driving L.

Answer 10

well if it is.. then I've sen a lot of people break the LAW.

Answer 11

Ok please either visit: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTra... or buy a copy of the highway code and read rule 201

It is not against the law to either reverse out of a side road onto a main road, or to reverse off a driveway onto the road.

It is just advised that you should not reverse a side road. And it is advised that you should reverse in and drive out of driveways if you can.

Please all the people above check facts before preaching!!!

Answer 12

No, who told you this?

Answer 13

Who said this?

I dont believe this at all.

Answer 14

Not illegal by itself but might lead to a due care and attention offence. Most local authorities will not allow a vehicle exit unless there is turning space off road

Answer 15

You are correct. Did you know that it is also illegal to reverse a service bus with passengers on. Therefore when the bus wont get out you way please don't blame the driver. Our hands are tied/

Answer 16

There is no confusion except in the minds of those who don't read the Highway Code.



Reversing out of your driveway is the equivalent of reversing from a minor road into a major road. Whether it is your drive into an urban road or a from country lane into a trunk road is irrelevant.

It is not illegal as such; the law recoginses that there will be occasions when you have no choice but to reverse from a minor (including drives) into a major road. However, if there is an accident then the reversing driver will be held responsible in pretty well all cases.

The Highway Code rule 202 explains this very clearly and in a way that cannot be mis-understood.

There is another excellent reason for reversing into your drive and driving forwards out of it.

When you are entering your drive you are at the end of a journey and the engine is nice and warm and your windows are clear and visibility will be good.

When you start your car the following morning the engine is cold, the oil is slugguish and your windows are possibly misted. If you reverse out then you are doing a fairly complex manouver involving slipping the clutch and revving a cold engine. This WILL shorten the life of the mechanical bits and also increase your fuel consumption compared with just starting and driving away.

To answer the other bit of your question - you cannot do it with impunity. I have been hit whilst walking along the pavement by a car that was being reversed out of a drive. The driver was not happy with what subsequently happened to him.

He probably didn't learn his lesson though; he was too arrogant and thought that everyone should have given way to him - even pedestrians. For these sorts of people there is no hope.

Answer 17

Highway code rule 201:

Do not reverse from a side road into a main road. When using a driveway, reverse in and drive out if you can.

Basically apply common sense for driveways.