Every driver has to go through rigorous training before they're allowed to go solo.
Aside from actually having to learn how to physically move a car, there are countless rules you also have to memorise so you can safely operate the vehicle on the road with everyone else.
Once you know what all the road signs mean, the speeds you should be driving at on certain roads and you've passed your test, you're a bona fide driver, right?
Unless you're speeding or texting behind the wheel, there's nothing we can be doing on the roads that would get us points on our licence or fines, surely?
Well, there are several things many drivers do which are actually illegal - although they might not know it.
Law firm Slater and Gordon have listed the minor offences drivers do without even realising.
1. Splashing pedestrians with puddlesLiving in the UK, you're never too far away from a puddle.
And anyone who's ever stood at a bus stop on a rainy day will have felt the wrath of lorry drivers when an icy cold wave of water comes in your direction.
But what you probably don't realise is it's actually against the law to splash pedestrians by driving through puddles at speed.
You can get a fixed penalty notice for doing so. In a few cases people have been handed tickets for public order offences after deliberately driving through puddles to target pedestrians.
2. Taking prescription drugs before drivingIn March 2015 new road-side drug screening devices were introduced, along with new driving limits for a string of prescription drugs .
Over-the-counter drugs including codeine, for example, could see you banned from driving. While many other drugs could potentially cause problems because they induce drowsiness.
3. Tooting your horn in angerWe're all taught that the horn should be used to warn other drivers of your presence - particularly when driving over bridges or around corners where visibility from the other direction is limited.
But if you beep in a moment of anger or frustration with another road user, you're breaking the law.
You also can’t sound your horn between 11.30pm and 7am unless in an emergency situation.
4. Getting out of the car on a single yellow lineYou're taught that you can't park on single yellow lines, so naturally you'd expect that the driver shouldn't really get out of the vehicle.
Single yellows are fine for dropping people off or picking people up, but the driver should not get out of the vehicle at any time.
5. SmokingSince October 2015 it has been illegal to smoke in your car if any passenger is under the age of 18.
As the driver, you are also responsible for other passengers who choose to smoke if there is a child in the vehicle.
6. Taking your pet out of the car if you break downBreak down on a motorway and you're told you should exit the vehicle and get to a safe place .
What you're not allowed to do is take your pet out of the car - sorry, but they've got to stay put.
7. Having a dirty number plateRegistration plates must be visible at all times when a car is on the road.
If you've been driving down country lanes and splashing mud everywhere and yours is too dirty to read one or more of the numbers/letters on your plate, then you're breaking the law.
8. EatingAlthough eating itself is not an offence, eating a snack behind the wheel could cause you to be driving without due care and attention - and could get you into serious trouble.
Think twice before you grab an apple on the way out of the door.
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