Warning for drivers over rule that could cost you a £1,000 fine

DRIVERS have been warned over a little-known driving rule that could cost them a £1,000 fine and a potential driving ban.

Most drivers know that if they were to take to the road while under the influence of alcohol, then they would be facing a severe penalty.

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However, Charlotte Rennox, medical negligence expert at , has revealed a little-known driving law that could also cost drivers dearly.

She has highlighted that it's illegal for a passenger to use a phone while they're supervising a learner driver.

And if the police caught you making this mistake, you could be fined £1,000.

The expert told the : "We know that driving whilst using a phone is illegal and extremely dangerous, but did you know that a passenger using their phone could get you fined?

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"If a passenger uses their phone when supervising a learner driver, you could be hit with a fine of up to £1,000 and six points on your license.

"As the person aiding the learner driver, you are expected to also have full visibility and attention on the road, as if you were the actual driver."

The expert also shared other mistakes that could cost drivers a fine - for example, if you have too many passengers in your car.

The expert continued: "Ultimately, cars shouldn't be carrying more people than they are designed for.

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"Having too many passengers can cause a multitude of distractions for the drivers, like not being able to see your wing mirrors and creating blind spots, increasing the risk of collision."

The medical negligence expert also revealed that it's illegal to smoke in a car if one of the passengers is under 18, and it could cost both the driver and the smoker a £50 fine.

Charlotte added: "The financial implications of this are significant, but more importantly, smoking in a car can cause children to inhale toxins and chemicals from the cigarettes, potentially creating major respiratory problems in the future.

Lastly, any pets travelling in your car should be suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you're driving - failure to do this can cost the driver a £5,000 fine.