PassengerUnited Kingdom

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Traffic signs

Traffic rules

United Kingdom

92. Passenger

A passenger is a person travelling in or on a vehicle without being responsible for driving or controlling it. Passengers may travel in cars, buses, motorcycles, trains and other forms of transport, provided the vehicle is designed and permitted to carry them.

Passengers must use the seats, seat belts, child-restraint systems, helmets or other safety equipment required for the vehicle and by local law. A vehicle must not carry more passengers than its approved seating or passenger capacity allows.

Motorcycle rider carrying a passenger on a Honda CB600F Hornet. (Yate, England, United Kingdom)
Wikimedia.org • Arpingstone • CC0

What is a passenger?

A passenger is a person travelling in or on a vehicle without being the person responsible for driving or controlling it.

Is a passenger the same as an occupant?

Not exactly. An occupant can include both the driver and passengers, while a passenger normally means an occupant who is not driving the vehicle.

Must passengers wear seat belts?

Where seat belts are provided and their use is required, passengers must wear them correctly. Exact requirements and exemptions vary between countries.

Can a vehicle carry more passengers than it has seats?

Normally no. Vehicles must not carry more people than the number or capacity for which they are designed and legally approved.

Do children count as passengers?

Yes. Children travelling in a vehicle are passengers, but additional rules may require an appropriate child-restraint system depending on their age, height or weight.

Can a passenger travel without a proper seat?

Generally no. Passengers should travel only in positions designed and approved for carrying people and use any required restraint system.

Can passengers ride on the outside of a vehicle?

This is generally prohibited except for specialised vehicles and circumstances specifically permitted by local law. Passengers should normally remain in the designated passenger compartment or seating position.

Can a motorcycle carry a passenger?

Yes, if the motorcycle is designed and equipped for one. The passenger may be required to use a proper seat, footrests, helmet and other protective equipment.

Can a bicycle carry a passenger?

Only when the bicycle or an approved passenger-carrying device is designed and legally permitted to carry that passenger. Local rules may contain special requirements for children and trailers.

Should passengers avoid distracting the driver?

Yes. Passengers should avoid behaviour that interferes with the driver's ability to observe the road, operate the controls or concentrate on traffic.

Four-wheel drive

Bicycle

1 United Kingdom 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Bike path 5 Pedestrian warning 6 Bridge 7 Speed bump 8 Toll road 9 One-way traffic 10 Quay 11 Slope 12 Bus lane 13 Bus stop 14 Dead end 15 Stop sign 16 Give way 17 Roundabout 18 Road narrowing 19 Priority over oncoming traffic 20 Give way to oncoming traffic 21 Pedestrian crossing 22 Railway crossing 23 Mandatory direction 24 Turn prohibition 25 School area 26 Crossing animals 27 Slippery road 28 Rockfall 29 Aircraft 30 Curve 31 Chevron 32 Wrong-way driving 33 Roadworks 34 Height limit 35 Radar speed sign 36 Selective barriers 37 Low-emission zone 38 Priority at the next junction 39 Traffic lights 40 Traffic lights warning 41 Road markings 42 Climbing lane 43 Bike box 44 Left-hand traffic 45 Speed feedback 46 Driving licence 47 Cycling route 48 Parking 49 No parking 50 Park and ride 51 Disabled parking 52 Reversing 53 Detour 54 Road surface 55 Verge 56 Traffic calming 57 Horse riding 58 Emergency exit 59 City limit 60 Tourist attraction 61 Licence plate 62 Charging station 63 Dangers 64 Dip 65 Tram lane 66 Cyclist 67 Bus 68 Police 69 Ambulance 70 Roadway 71 Street 72 Pothole 73 Private road 74 Path 75 Particulates 76 Air pollution 77 Rush hour 78 Road code 79 Two-way traffic 80 Tram stop 81 Street gutter 82 Cargo bike 83 Forestry vehicle 84 Construction vehicle 85 Semi-trailer truck 86 Trolleybus 87 Speed pedelec 88 Delivery vehicle 89 Idling 90 Tow truck 91 Four-wheel drive 92 Passenger 93 Bicycle 94 Motorcycle equipment 95 Tram 96 Rail track 97 Public transport 98 Caravan 99 Trailer 100 Tow hitch ...