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Reversing
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Somebody told me that it is illegal to reverse out of your drive onto the road. Is this correct?
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It is not illegal to reverse into a main road but it is not advisable.
If an accident occurred due to you reversing onto a main road from a driveway or minor road then there may be the possibility of you being prosecuted for driving without due care and attention.
The only laws in relation to reversing refer to distance:
"You MUST NOT reverse your vehicle further than necessary"
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport /Highwaycode/DG_070340
and motorway driving:
"You MUST NOT reverse, cross the central reservation, or drive against the traffic flow. If you have missed your exit, or have taken the wrong route, carry on to the next exit."
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport /Highwaycode/DG_069862
If an accident occurred due to you reversing onto a main road from a driveway or minor road then there may be the possibility of you being prosecuted for driving without due care and attention.
The only laws in relation to reversing refer to distance:
"You MUST NOT reverse your vehicle further than necessary"
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport /Highwaycode/DG_070340
and motorway driving:
"You MUST NOT reverse, cross the central reservation, or drive against the traffic flow. If you have missed your exit, or have taken the wrong route, carry on to the next exit."
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport /Highwaycode/DG_069862
Others have basically answered your question but I'll just add that very few specific actions are, per se, illegal under motoring laws.
For example, if you look for a law which specifically states that you can't drive on the 'wrong' side of the road, you won't find one. If the police see you doing it, they (together with the Crown Prosecution Service) would have to look through the list of general motoring offences (such as 'driving without due care and attention' or 'dangerous driving') and decide what the appropriate charge should be.
Similarly, reversing out of your drive isn't illegal per se but, under certain circumstances, the police (& CPS) might consider a charge such as 'driving without due consideration for other road users'.
As anyone who has ever read the Highway Code should know, the best practice is always to reverse into a drive, rather than out of it.
Chris
For example, if you look for a law which specifically states that you can't drive on the 'wrong' side of the road, you won't find one. If the police see you doing it, they (together with the Crown Prosecution Service) would have to look through the list of general motoring offences (such as 'driving without due care and attention' or 'dangerous driving') and decide what the appropriate charge should be.
Similarly, reversing out of your drive isn't illegal per se but, under certain circumstances, the police (& CPS) might consider a charge such as 'driving without due consideration for other road users'.
As anyone who has ever read the Highway Code should know, the best practice is always to reverse into a drive, rather than out of it.
Chris
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