Is it illegal to drive with my dog in the boot? Car rules explained

MANY people are left in a pickle when needing to travel somewhere with their dog.

Drivers should take special precautions before setting off on their journey. Here's everything you need to know.

1

Is it illegal to drive with my dog in the boot?

No, it isn't illegal to drive with your dog in the boot.

Drivers can receive penalty points or a fine if judged by police to be driving "without due care and attention" due to an unrestrained animal in the car.

So it is always important to have your dog suitably restrained,

This means you can travel with your pets in the boot if you use a headrest dog guard between the boot and the rear passenger seats.

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This allows them to move around without affecting your driving.

However, mesh or metal guards will not protect your pooch in the event of an accident.

Restraining an animal in the boot can also mean using a dog crate, pet carrier, or dog harness.

Where should my dog be in the car?

The safest option when driving is to place your dog in the boot or secured in the rear passenger seat.

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This is so the animal can't interfere with the driver or their controls, limiting the risk of causing an accident.

Dogs can sit in the front passenger seat, but it is illegal to drive with your pets unrestrained in the car, wherever they may be.

If your hound is in the front seat, remember to turn off the passenger airbag and move the seat as far back as possible.

This is to limit the risk of injury to the dog.

It is important to remember to reactivate the airbag when human passengers are travelling in the front seat.

What is the law on dogs in cars in the UK?

Under rule 57 of the Highway Code, all dogs or other animals must be suitably restrained when travelling in a vehicle.

There are ways in which a dog can comfortably travel.

Ways include a seat belt harness, which is specially designed for canines, a dog cage, a pet carrier or dog guard, which separates the dog from the occupants of the vehicle.

The harnesses are designed so that they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves.

Most Common Illegal Driving Activities

Here's a list of reckless driving behaviour and the fines and penalties you risk getting from it.

• Using phone while driving
  Cheeky glance at a phone screen will result in six penalty points on your licence and a £200 fine
  New drivers might lose their licence if caught doing so within two years of obtaining it
• Speeding
  Lovers of fast and furious will end up with minimum three points and £100 fine
• Running a red light
  This offence will incur three points and £100 fine
• Middle lane hogging
  It constitutes careless driving and police will hand you out a £100 fine with three penalty points
• Undertaking
  This could possibly result in three points on your license and a £100 fine