The Highway Code

by Driving Standards Agency

The Highway Code rules are essential reading for anyone who uses the road. This edition contains%3A new rules and details of changes in the law%3B expanded sections giving advice to cyclists and horseriders%3B and a section on traffic law, its effect on road users and penalties for the main offences. It includes a 16-page supplement on "The Theory of Safe and Responsible Driving", which contains additional information for the theory element of the driving test.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Travel, Education, British Literature, Self Help, How To

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1931

About the author

We improve road safety in Great Britain by setting standards for driving and motorcycling, and for the education and training of drivers and riders. We also carry out theory and practical driving and riding tests. We will merge with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency into a single agency in 2014.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

No attempt at style. No attempt at pace. No sense of atmosphere. No narrative or characterization, to speak of. From time to time the narrator adopts a shrillily hectoring tone which is particularly off putting rather than trusting the reader to form their own interpretations. Clearly has a lot to learn.

[Ivana - Diary of Difference · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only chose this one because it's essential for drivers.

Even though I have a Macedonian driving license, I need to do all the theory and practice tests again anyways. So here we go again...

Quite informative and everything you need to know about UK driving.

I will give it five stars after I pass all the tests!

2020 Update:

I have just noticed this old review of mine, even though I have passed the tests a while ago. As promised, here are my 5 stars 😊

[Russio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat lacking in plot but certainly not direction,this elevates itself above the usual level of instruction manual by setting itself against a backdrop of Orwellian dystopia and carnage. Compelling stuff, if a little repetitive.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic romp through british roads. I particularly enjoy how the character Amber Light’s plot line gets brighter throughout. I laughed and cried!

[William Gwynne]

Just finished The Highway Code, and I did not read it for fun! Could work on its plot a bit.......

[Olivia Sussex]

juicy stuff

[Helena (helenareadsxx) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for my driving test

[Alaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

just finished reading. will rate 5/5 if i pass my theory test wish me luck

UPDATE: 5/5 I PASSED TY HIGHWAY MAN <3
and to the people who told me i wouldn’t pass without the app lol i got 47/50 thank u next

[Nia Das · Rating 1 out of 5]

fucking hated reading this. Read it in four hours. 300 and something rules for what. it could be summarised into like maybe 3 pages

[Carolyn Pickering · Rating 1 out of 5]

So upsetting that this is one of 4 books I have completed this year! I am doing my moped training tomorrow for my vespa - yes I have a blue vespa in a very Lizzie McGuire- this is what dream are made of- goodbye home hello Rome way and am genuinely terrified to be allowed on the road, I know for a fact 14 year old Lizzie McGuire did not make it through the highway code, I fear she's sold me false promises, I fear the highway code has not prepared me, I fear for unsuspecting road users, and I fear for my self.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stay off the roads! I'm learning to drive. I started lessons years ago but had to stop for various personal reasons. In 2020, it was time to start again. Marking this as read as I won't be reading it linearly but in the months to come, I will be dipping in and out of this reference book to help me pass my driving test.

June 2021 update: I've passed my theory test! I am one step closer to finally being able to drive properly and legally. 🚗
Granted, I was using an app more than this to revise but I still think this is very useful to know the rules of the road. Actually, after seeing some idiots while out driving with my instructor, I think this should be compulsory reading for all drivers (even if you've passed your test years ago)

[Alice Pickersgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A certifiable modern classic tbh

[Tanzeel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good book. Details the laws of the road which I doubt anyone follows, especially in Birmingham!

[jess :£ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a bit dry? Very serious read but quite informative. A bit passive aggressive at times? Some of my favoruite extracts from the book are:

“Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn”
“Drive extremely carefully”
“Keep well away from the vehicle and do not be tempted to try to rescue casualties as you yourself could become one”

(This is a joke for all purposes 💀)

[Becca Madden · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a fun read.

Wouldn’t recommend.

Had nothing to do with the song Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts.

Overall disappointment.

[Chlo · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book, though seemingly easy to read due to its lack of thiccness, is incredibly boring. I felt as though it lacked plot, adequate characterisation, and intrigue. The level of depth they used left little to the imagination, and thus lacked the suspense needed to keep readers interested. Along with this, it used complex sentences that were far too hard for a simpleton such as myself to understand. Someone tell the author that bullet points are not meant to be that bulky...I mean have they never heard of sub bullet points? Additionally, some of the diagrams were hard to decipher. Too many arrows and symbols tbh. After having read this book cover to cover, I remain highly confused about the entire driving and road system and remain thoroughly scared to begin my driving lessons. However, I feel as though some of these shortfalls could potentially be the fault of the entire system of driving within this country, rather than the book itself, and therefore I propose the entire system be simplified. Bojo, feel free to contact me to discuss my ideas. Overall, though I do appreciate the handiness of this little book, and accept that it will probably be useful for me, and so regard it as an essential read for anyone wishing to learn to drive, I am mad that I am being forced to learn to drive despite the fact that I know I will be shit, and therefore will be giving this book only 1 star.

[Bee Tay · Rating 3 out of 5]

IT IS DONE. And no, I don't feel weird about adding this to my GR Challenge count haha

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

really boring

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I PASSED ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Catrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

a truly riveting read

[charlotte d :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

passed my theory test but i only read a total of 2 pages of this book so the credit does not go to it

[Zoe (Zthecapybara) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to keep in your car as a reference and to answer questions. But not in depth enough to be the only book read by learning drivers.

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cyclists can go in any direction

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

5 stars for infodumping. Unfortunately, I’m all about the plot. 0 stars

[Nicole Miles]

I have now read this thing cover to cover. It is mostly dry (with occasional unintentionally humorous wording), largely obvious and often repetitive, but an important reference work for road users in the UK.

:I

[Ell Iot · Rating 1 out of 5]

Useful but OMG Snooooooooze

[rachid idjiou · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Highway Code is essential reading for all road users, including pedestrians, mobility scooter users, cyclists, horse riders, drivers and motorcyclists.

[purplebeeia · Rating 1 out of 5]

You know what education isn’t for everyone!!!! 😝😜🤪

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not the most riveting read, lacking explanation. Presumes you know stuff you don’t know and explains in great depth extremely obvious things.

[Stuart Aken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subtitled ‘This guide is for all road users’ this 2022 edition is the 8th revision. I read the 1969 version after learning to drive and taking my test when I was 19. I’m sure there must have been an earlier edition as I recall reading one before that test. Subsequently, I read the 1978 edition, but not the 1987, 1993, 1999, 2007, or 2015 versions. And I suspect I’m by no means alone in that neglect.
We learn to drive, pass our driving test, and hopefully gain experience of what does and does not constitute good driving as we journey through life. However, with changes in technology, increases in the speed of vehicles, adjustments to road design, and many other alterations over the years, we really should keep up to date with the rules of the road.
Any motor vehicle, whether two-wheeled or more, is an effective killing machine in the hands of the irresponsible, uncaring, inconsistent, daydreaming, speeding, selfish or inexperienced operator. Yet many treat such machines with little of the respect they require.
The Highway Code is drawn up by the government’s Department for Transport and is full of advice, commands, and information relating to everyone who uses the roads in the UK. It details those aspects of road usage that MUST be followed, those that will result in prosecution if they’re not followed, those that are only advisory but recommended, and those that are downright dangerous to other road users.
There have been several changes to the advice and regulation contained in this book and everyone should be aware of these.
In fact, returning to that subtitle, ‘This guide is for all road users’, I feel I must ask a pretty basic question: Why is it not distributed freely? We pay our taxes and, as citizens, are required to follow the advice provided by our leaders. The book is promoted as an essential guide to ensure the safety of all citizens as they use the roads. That must include almost everyone. Doesn’t it make simple sense to make this book freely available to all by giving it to every household, rather than leaving it to the individual whether or not to bother with it?