There are a lot of transport laws that might irritate drivers or new laws which are regularly put in place which we have to adapt to, but there are some really unusual ones too…

A lot of these UK laws still exist or once upon a time they existed and have yet to be crossed out of the law books. Of course, for the more ridiculous ones – such as the first one – you’re unlikely to get into real trouble from the boys in blue if you don’t follow it!

Unusual UK Transport Laws Still in Force

• Taxi drivers are required to ask all passengers if they have smallpox or the plague. [Source: BBC News]
• Windscreens must be clear, so make sure you make time for sufficient de-icing. Anyone caught driving with unclear windows can be fined up to £1000. [Source: Metro]
• To date the UK Licensing Act 1872 remains in force, meaning that anyone found ‘drunk while in charge of any horse, cattle, carriage or steam engine’ could find themselves imprisoned. [Source: Time Out London]
• No cows may be driven down the roadway between 10 AM and 7 PM unless there is prior approval from the Commissioner of Police. [Source: Dumb Laws]
• Those who unfortunately suffer a breakdown beside the motorway must leave their dog in the car. [Source: Metro]
• In England, it is illegal for a cab in the City of London to carry rabid dogs or corpses. [Daily Telegraph]
• It is illegal to sound your horn to tell somebody off, those who know their Highway Code will know it is to “alert others” of your presence. [Source: Show Plates Direct]
• A licence may be revoked if a new driver accumulates a total of six penalty points within two years of qualifying for a driving licence. The act was passed in 1995 and applies to every driver who passed their first full driving test after 1 June 1997. [Source: Insurance For Convicted Drivers]

Unusual Transport Laws From Around the World

• In Switzerland, it is illegal to wash your car on a Sunday. [Source: co.uk]
• Californians are legally allowed to leap from a moving vehicle – providing it is not going at more than 65mph – the national speed limit… [Source: co.uk]
• If you ever find yourself in Denmark, it is a legal requirement to check that there are no dead bodies wedged underneath your vehicle before you start driving – yes, really. [Source: co.uk]
• Sunny Cyprus has lots of us flocking to sunbathe, but if you hire a car make you sure you don’t drink behind the wheel. By drinking, we mean water! It is against the law to drink water while behind the while in Cyprus! [Source: co.uk]

What are your favourite unusual transport laws or barmy myths about old UK laws? Tweet them to us at @stanley_travel!

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