United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Drive on the left and normally overtake on the right.

Call 999 or 112 for emergency police, ambulance, fire or other emergency assistance. For non-emergency police matters, 101 can be used.

The blood-alcohol limit is 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland has a lower limit of 50 mg per 100 ml of blood.

On roads with street lighting, the general limit is 30 mph in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, unless signs indicate otherwise. In Wales, the default limit on restricted roads is 20 mph, although some roads have different signed limits.

For cars and motorcycles, the national speed limit on a single carriageway is generally 60 mph, unless signs indicate a lower limit. Lower limits apply to certain other vehicle types.

For cars and motorcycles, the national speed limit on a dual carriageway is generally 70 mph, unless signs indicate a lower limit.

For cars and motorcycles, the general maximum speed on motorways is 70 mph, unless a lower limit is displayed. Different limits apply to some vehicle types and vehicles towing trailers.

Speed limits in the United Kingdom are shown in miles per hour (mph), and road distances are normally shown in miles rather than kilometres.

No. There is no nationwide motorway vignette for private cars. Most roads are free to use, although some roads, bridges, tunnels and urban charging zones require payment.

Seat belts must generally be worn where they are fitted, subject to specific legal exemptions. Drivers are responsible for ensuring that children under 14 are correctly restrained.

Children must normally use an appropriate child car seat until they are 12 years old or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first. After that, they must use an adult seat belt where one is fitted.

Motorcycle and moped riders and passengers must wear an approved protective helmet, subject to a limited religious exemption for Sikh riders wearing a turban.

There is no general legal requirement for ordinary cyclists to wear a bicycle helmet, although the Highway Code strongly recommends wearing one that fits correctly and meets an appropriate safety standard.

No. It is illegal to hold and use a phone, sat-nav, tablet or other device that can send or receive data while driving. The restriction also applies when stopped in traffic, except for specific legal exemptions.

No. Unlike in many continental European countries, the United Kingdom has no general priority-from-the-right rule at ordinary unmarked junctions. Drivers must approach carefully and follow any signs, road markings and applicable priority rules.

When entering a roundabout, drivers should normally give priority to traffic approaching from the right, unless signs, road markings or traffic lights indicate otherwise. Traffic circulates clockwise.

Drivers must give way to pedestrians who are on a zebra crossing and should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross. Drivers must also take particular care when approaching the zig-zag markings around a crossing.

Drivers turning into or out of a road should give way to pedestrians who are crossing or waiting to cross that road. If pedestrians have already started crossing, they have priority.

The Highway Code advises drivers to leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30 mph and to leave more space at higher speeds.

Drivers should normally use the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. The other lanes are primarily for overtaking, and drivers should return to the left after completing an overtake.

A red X means the lane is closed. Drivers must move safely into an open lane and must not drive in a lane displaying a red X.

Normally, no. The hard shoulder must not be used as a normal traffic lane unless signs specifically indicate that it is open to traffic or an authorised person directs you to use it. It may be used in an emergency where appropriate.

No. Never place a warning triangle on a motorway. On other roads, if you have one and it is safe to do so, the Highway Code advises placing it at least 45 metres behind the vehicle.

There is no general fixed winter-tyre season for private cars. Drivers remain responsible for ensuring that their tyres are legal and suitable for safe driving, and should take additional precautions in snow and ice.

Yes. Although most roads are free to use, some roads, bridges and tunnels charge tolls. Urban road-charging and emission schemes also operate in some places, including London's ULEZ and Congestion Charge, Clean Air Zones in parts of England and Low Emission Zones in several Scottish cities.

Yes. Many basic driving rules are similar, but some traffic laws and policies differ between the four parts of the UK. Examples include the lower drink-driving limit in Scotland and the 20 mph default speed limit on many restricted roads in Wales. Northern Ireland also has its own Highway Code and separate road-traffic legislation.