Winter driving fines

After dense fog triggered a yellow weather warning across parts of England and Wales over the weekend and into Monday morning, drivers will face a mix of fog, wet roads and frosty mornings this week. 

Driving during this threatening weather not only increases the risk of danger, but it also brings about the threat of incurring a range of fines. 

That’s why George Penny, EV Expert at The Solar Co, has pulled together eight wintery driving fines with tips on how to avoid falling victim. These include: 

• Leaving fog lights or having a dirty number plate risks £1,000 fine
• Driving with a frosted-over windscreen could cost you £100 and three points
• Leaving your engine running to de-ice could cost £20 and invalidate your insurance
• Reduced tyre tread due to cold snap could cost you £2,500 and three points
• Soaking a pedestrian could trigger a £100 fine and three penalty points
• Parking in an EV charging bay without charging can lead to a penalty, even with a Blue Badge

George Penny, EV Expert at The Solar Co comments:

Leaving fog lights on can dazzle drivers and hide your brake lights – risking £1,000 fine

“Fog can lift quickly, so switch your fog lights off as soon as visibility improves. Leaving them on can dazzle other drivers and make it harder for those behind you to see your brake lights. Misusing front or rear fog lights can result in a £50 fixed penalty, and car drivers convicted in court in England or Wales could be fined up to £1,000.

“Under Rule 226 of the Highway Code, you must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you can see no more than 100 metres. You can use fog lights in those conditions, but switch them off when visibility improves or when you park on the road. Use dipped headlights in fog, as full beams can reflect back and make it harder to see.”

2. A dirty number plate could land you with a £1,000 fine

“Winter road spray, mud and salt can build up quickly, making your number plates hard to read. If your registration is obscured, you could face a fine of up to £1,000. Get into the habit of wiping both plates when you stop to refuel or charge, and brush off any snow before setting off. If you’re carrying bikes on a rear rack, check that your rear plate is still clearly visible.”

3. Driving with a frosted-over windscreen could cost you £100 and three points

“Rule 229 of the Highway Code says you must be able to see clearly before setting off. However, clearing only the area directly in front of the steering wheel can leave pedestrians and cyclists hidden from view. Driving with an obscured view could be considered careless driving and result in a £100 fixed penalty and three points on your licence. If you’re convicted in court, careless driving can carry three to nine points and an unlimited fine.

Allow an extra five to ten minutes on frosty mornings to clear debris, snow and ice from all your windows and make sure your mirrors and lights are clear. Brush snow off the roof too, so it can’t slide onto your windscreen when you brake or fall into another driver’s path.”

4. Leaving your engine running to de-ice could cost £20 and invalidate your insurance

“Leaving a parked car unattended with the engine running on a public road is illegal. Councils can also issue a £20 fixed penalty for unnecessary idling if you fail to switch off when asked by an authorised officer. 

What’s more, leaving a car running unattended makes it easier to steal, and your insurer may decline a theft claim depending on your policy.”

5. Check your tyre tread before the next cold snap – one illegal tyre could cost you £2,500 and three points

“On wet winter roads, tyre tread helps channel water away so your tyres can grip the surface. Before setting off in heavy rain or sleet, take a few minutes to check all four tyres. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of each tyre and around its full circumference. If worn tyres make your car unsafe to drive, you could face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

“Insert a 20p coin into the main tread grooves at several points around each tyre. If you can see any of the coin’s outer band above the tread, the tread may be below the legal minimum of 1.6mm. Use a tread-depth gauge to measure it or ask a garage to check the tread depth.”

6. Soaking a pedestrian could cost you £100 and three penalty points

“Driving through a puddle and soaking a pedestrian or cyclist can, depending on the circumstances, amount to driving without reasonable consideration for other road users under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Here, police can issue a £100 fixed penalty and three points. However, if you’re convicted in court, the fine can rise up to £5,000. 

“After heavy rain, look out for standing water near pavements, crossings and bus stops. Slow down before you reach it, and take another route if you can’t judge how deep it is.”

1.  Parking in an EV charging bay without charging can lead to a penalty, even with a Blue Badge

Check the signs before you park. Councils can issue a penalty charge notice for using a restricted EV charging bay without charging, and a Blue Badge doesn’t automatically exempt you. Check the maximum stay and any separate parking charges, then move your car once you’ve finished charging.

2. A busy Tesla Supercharger can charge 50p a minute if you linger

At busy Supercharger sites, Tesla can apply a congestion fee when your battery reaches the site’s specified threshold or your charging session ends. Tesla lists the UK fee at 50p per minute after a five-minute grace period. If the fee is triggered when your session ends, staying connected for another 15 minutes could add £5 to your bill. Turn on app notifications and check the fee shown for your site before walking away.