England fans warned of five 'little known' Euro rules - or risk £1k fine and prison

Andrew Nuttall
·3-min read
Patriotic flags, and other car decorations, that block the view or affect control of the vehicle can see drivers fined up to £1,000 fine and hit with three penalty points.
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Ahead of the clash between England and Denmark, many Brits are preparing to cheer on their home nation. While driving fines might be far from the minds of most footie fans, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and make simple motoring mistakes.

Some of these rules can be innocently broken but that can still lead to hefty fines or penalty points. In extreme cases, it could result in a stint behind bars.

To help drivers avoid the wrong kind of penalties this summer, the car insurance team at Compare the Market has compiled a list of driving do's and don'ts for the football celebrations.

Don't drink and drive (Highway Code: Rule 95):

Plenty of fans will be watching the game at their local pub, but regardless of the situation, drivers should never take the wheel if they're over the limit. If caught drink driving, motorists could face up to six months in jail, an unlimited fine, and a driving ban of at least one year.

Risk of using football decorations (Highway Code: Rule 229):

A lot of motorists will want to show their support by adorning their cars with St. George's flags and Three Lions merchandise, but they need to ensure any decorations don't block their view or affect their control of the vehicle. Failure to do so could result in a £1,000 fine and three penalty points.

Keep music at a safe volume (Highway Code: Rule 148):

While belting out 'It's Coming Home' in the lead-up to the match or blasting 'Sweet Caroline' after a victory might seem like a good idea, it could result in a hefty fine. Getting swept up in the excitement is easy, but safe driving requires focus.

If a driver is found to be playing music too loudly or not paying proper attention to the road, they could face a dangerous driving charge. This could lead to a two-year prison sentence, an unlimited fine, or a mandatory driving ban.

Honking your horn to celebrate an England victory could cost you up to £1,000
Honking your horn to celebrate an England victory could cost you up to £1,000 -Credit:Getty Images

Avoid unnecessary horn honking (Highway Code: Rule 112):

The Highway Code stipulates that drivers should only use their horn to make other road users aware of their presence, and only when the vehicle is moving. So, even if the horn is being used to celebrate an England victory, drivers could end up with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £30 if deemed to be using it incorrectly. This could rise to £1,000 if the FPN is contested.

Avoid parking on double yellow lines (Highway Code: Rule 238):

Whether you're off to a mate's house or trying to nab a spot at the pub before the game, drivers must never park (or wait) on double yellow lines. Doing so could result in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) and a fine of either £70 or £50, depending on the severity of the offence.

Julie Daniels from Compare the Market's car insurance team issued a warning to football fans. She said: "There's nothing quite like a football match to bring the nation together, and while England fans will be looking to celebrate this summer, we also need to be mindful of the rules of the road to keep each other safe during the celebrations.

"If you're planning to have a drink while watching any of the games, make sure to walk, get a lift, or book a taxi home. Never get behind the wheel if you've been drinking, and this goes for the next day too, as driving while hungover could still see you over the limit."

"Don't get too carried away with decorations and flags, and always keep your music down to a minimum, so your full attention is on the road. And, for those lucky enough to be heading to Germany to catch the game in person, make sure to do your research and follow the driving regulations in any of the countries you might be travelling to."

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