Can I really be fined for honking my car's horn when I pick my friend up?
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I pick a friend up once a week to play football and pull up on the road outside his house and honk my car horn to let him know I am there waiting.
Last week, he got in the car and said to me: 'You know you could be fined thousands of pounds for doing that?’ He claimed that there is a law that says you can’t honk a car’s horn when it’s not moving. Is this true?
I honk my car horn to let my mate know I'm outside his house for football - is it true that I could be fined for doing this?
Daily Mail and This is Money Motoring Reporter Freda Lewis-Stempel replies: I'm afraid that your friend is correct. Well mainly. While I don't want to pour cold water on your selfless weekly act of giving your mate a lift to football, honking your horn to let him know his chauffeur has arrived isn't a good idea.
If the car is stationary then using the horn can land you a fine but your (somewhat dramatic sounding) friend is wrong when he says you'll be fined thousands.
However, regardless of the legalities, we'd point out for the sake of your mate's neighbours that honking your horn is quite anti-social - let's hope you don't go to football at 7am.
But to settle your concerns, here's what the Highway Code says about honking your car horn.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: 'Drivers should not use the horn in stationary traffic to express frustration or get the attention of other road users, except when there’s a danger'
There is indeed an obscure Highway Code rule regarding the use of the car horn when stationary: Rule 112 focuses on vehicle horn use.
The rule states: 'Use only [the horn] while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn while stationary on the road or when driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am.'
The exception is when another road user poses a danger.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson comments: 'An essential part of learning to drive is knowing when it’s appropriate to sound your car horn. Drivers should not use the horn in stationary traffic to express frustration or get the attention of other road users, except when there’s a danger.
'It’s a safety device and misuse can result in fines for both the driver and vehicle owner.'
Freda Lewis-Stempel adds: So, unless your friend suddenly poses a danger to you or anyone else you can't honk your horn to get him to hurry up.
Stationary applies to waiting outside his house - honking at him to let you know you're there clearly violates rule 112.
Rule 112 of the Highway Code clearly states that you can only use your car horn when the vehicle is moving - tooting when stationary is NOT allowed
Freda Lewis-Stempel says: This is where your friend is slightly off the mark.
Using a car horn when stationary in traffic jams or at traffic lights - both illegal - can lead to a Penalty Charge Notice, but of up to £1,000. So, the fine is not, as your friend said, 'thousands'.
But it's still enough to get you to stop honking your horn - unless you're rolling up in a Rolls-Royce to give him a lift and then £1,000 might be small change.
You could be forgiven for thinking that it is highly unlikely you would be fined for a one off use of the horn. But beware, in theory, you could be.
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