Highway Code warning for drivers between 11.30pm and 7am
Drivers are being cautioned about a little-known Highway Code rule over the use of their car horn that could result in them being issued with a penalty charge notice (PCN).
Rule 112 of the Highway Code specifies over horns that drivers must "use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence." It further states: "You MUST NOT use your horn while stationary on the road".
This means that drivers who sound their horn while stuck in traffic, or those who honk upon arrival when they pick someone up, could be breaching the regulations. This rule is applicable even when using the horn in your own driveway.
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The Highway Code also advises motorists to "never sound your horn aggressively" and to refrain from using it "when driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am". But there is an exception that allows the use of the horn "when another road user poses a danger."
So if it's an emergency situation, such as warning others of a potential hazard, you may use your horn even if your vehicle is stationary or during the early morning hours.
PCNs, or Penalty Charge Notices, are not just issued for parking violations but can also be applied to motorists breaking traffic rules such as the misuse of car horns. The cost of a PCN varies depending on the offence's severity and the location.
In Devon, for instance, the charges are set at £50 or £70, with an option for a 50% discount if the fine is paid within 14 days. Ignoring a PCN, however, could result in a court case and potentially escalate the cost into the thousands.
Before taking their vehicle for an MOT, drivers should make sure their horn is functioning correctly. The MOT inspection manual states that the audible warning device, or horn, "must be loud enough to be heard by other road users". A broken horn could lead to a major fault being recorded during an MOT, which would cause the vehicle to fail the test.
Additionally, there are specific guidelines regarding the sound of a car horn. To prevent confusion with emergency vehicles, the use of gongs, bells, and sirens is prohibited, except for classic cars dated before 1906. The horn's sound must be continuous, uniform, and not "harsh or grating", ruling out novelty horns.