Using a phone while in the car passenger seat could land you a £200 fine and six points

USING your mobile phone while sitting in the passenger seat of a car could land you a fine and penalty points in certain circumstances.

According to information on Gov.uk if you are supervising a learner driver on a lesson, then that means that you are legally responsible for the car, therefore could land a fine for committing offences - This means it is illegal for the instructor to touch their phone while sitting in the passenger seat.

Offending drivers could be handed a £200 fine and penalty points while in the passenger seat in certain circumstances.

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Research, said: "Supervising a learner actually puts you in the driving seat so legally you must treat it in the same way as if you were behind the wheel.

"Learning to drive is stressful enough without a passenger beside you who is more worried about posting than parking."

Mobile phone driving laws were introduced in December 2003 which saw motorists handed a £60 fine for an offence before rising to £100 in 2013.

Fine increased to £100 and penalty points endorsements doubled in 2017, to act as a further deterrent.

Drivers could face a maximum fine of up to £1,000 of a phone driving law offence.

The law still applies to you if you’re stopped at traffic lights and queuing in traffic.

To be able to use a phone while driving it must be mounted to a hands-free device and not touched while on the road.

Hands-free devices include:

• a bluetooth headset
• voice command
• a dashboard holder or mat
• a windscreen mount
• a built-in sat nav

Source: https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1161051/Phone-driving-laws-passenger-seat-fine-penalty-points-UK

NEW Apple Software Feature ‘do not disturb while driving’

Apple has announced that its next iPhone software update will feature a ‘do not disturb while driving’ mode.

The iOS 11 update due out later this year, will provide all iPhones with the function, which is designed to address the dangers associated with smartphones and distraction.

The software will be able to sense when a person is driving, and when activated will block notifications from calls and texts as well as social media. The user won't even be able to access the phone’s homescreen to open apps.

The driver will be able to set a personalised automatic text response to notify anyone attempting to make contact that they’re currently behind the wheel.

The new feature will assume a person is driving if their phone is connected to the car via Bluetooth. Alternatively, it will use a phone's WiFi antenna to sense when it’s moving at car speeds.

Passengers will be able to override the feature by turning on the screen with the iPhone power button and then clicking on a button marked ‘I'm not driving’.

Once the update has taken place, Apple will prompt drivers to use the new feature on the first occasion that they drive with an iOS 11-powered iPhone.


The move has been welcomed by the RAC, who are encouraging motorists through their campaign  #BePhoneSmart to make a personal pledge to not use their handheld phone while driving.

It has also been welcomed by Brake, who describes mobile phone use behind the wheel as a 'growing menace'.

Source: roadsafetygb

Drivers caught using phones for first time now face points

Under new government plans drivers in England, Scotland and Wales caught using a mobile phone for the first time will automatically receive penalty points.
Previously, motorists in some police force areas could avoid points by taking a remedial driving course. However ministers believe it is not a tough enough measure to deter people from using a hand-held phone while driving.

They have also confirmed plans to raise fines for offences from £100 to £200 and penalty points from three to six.

The scrapping of the driving course option is among several measures announced in a government response to a consultation on punishments for drivers caught using hand-held phones.
The government first announced that it was going to increase fines and double penalty points in September.

The new measures, which are due to take effect next year, follow the jailing last month of lorry driver Tomasz Kroker, who killed a mother and three children while distracted by his phone.

Fine numbers plummet

The number of fines issued for motorists caught using a mobile phone illegally has plummeted by 84% since 2011.

Some 16,900 drivers were handed fixed-penalty notices in England and Wales last year, compared with 123,100 in 2011, Home Office data shows.

Motoring groups believe the decline is due to a 27% fall in the number of full-time dedicated roads policing officers in England and Wales (excluding London) between 2010 and 2015.

Department for Transport figures show that a driver being impaired or distracted by their phone had been a contributory factor in 440 accidents in Britain last year, including 22 which were fatal and 75 classed as serious.

Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, said: "By ruling out courses and doubling the fine, ministers are reflecting public concern and showing they want to stamp out a potentially lethal activity before it becomes entrenched behaviour for a growing number of drivers."

The measures will not affect Northern Ireland, where drivers are currently given three penalty points and a £60 fine for the offence.

The Department for Infrastructure has said there are no plans to change this, but it "will continue to monitor changes being made in Britain to see what can be learned".

Source BBC

How Do I Renew My Car Tax Disc Using DVLA's New System 2014

Are you one of those who are currently looking to renew your car tax disc and a little confused now that there is no paper Disc involved? 

The last thing you want is to get a hefty fine because you didnt comply!

There are a few options for getting your car tax renewed under the new system:

• Online
• Phone
• In person

OnlineThe new GOV.UK renewal service is now live, though officially still in beta.

Phone0300 123 4321.  charges may apply.

In personRenew at the local Post Office. Take your completed V11 reminder (or your V5C), an MOT test certificate if required (must be valid when the tax starts), and the payment shown on the reminder

Rumour as it that the website and phone lines are struggling with a surge or eager beavers so unusually you may actually find that doing it in person is quickest! Have you already applied? what was your experience?