Is it illegal to leave snow on my car roof?
WAKING up to a fresh fall of snow can provide a picturesque view out the windows of your home.
But while a crisp layer of powder may be aesthetically pleasing, it can cause trouble for motorists if they don't take care of their cars properly.
Is it illegal to have snow on your car roof?
There is no law stating it is illegal to drive with snow on your car but there is a risk of it obstructing your vision - or impacting other drivers.
If you are caught driving with snow on your car (even on the roof) by police, you can be given a £60 fine and have three penalty points added to your licence.
The same applies if an officer sees snow fall on to the road from your vehicle.
The fine falls in line with section 229 of the Highway code, which outlines correct guidelines for driving in adverse weather conditions.
The rule states that drivers must "remove all snow that might fall off into the path of other road users" as it could pose a potential hazard for other drivers.
Can I drive with snow on my windscreen?
Drivers should clean snow from their windscreen before setting off as it could be dangerous for themselves and others.
A representative from the AA has warned that drivers could suffer harsher penalties if snow falls from their car on to another vehicle as they could then be charged with "driving without reasonable consideration for other road users".
This road law carries a £100 fine and as many as nine penalty points if an accident is caused.
Jack Cousens, Head of Roads Policy for the AA, said: "If snow on the roof of your car falls off on to your windscreen, or flies into the path of another car, then you could find yourself in trouble which was completely avoidable.
"With the help of a soft brush and very little effort, you can avoid any penalties by sweeping the snow away."
Storing your car under a roof can help - and it's got a nice side benefit, too.
“If you can, parking in a garage or somewhere undercover can save you time as well as keeping you in the warm a bit longer," Cousens said.
How much can I get fined?
You can receive a £60 fine if you are caught by police driving with snow on your car, or if snow falls from your vehicle.
If snow falls from your car on to another vehicle, you could be fined £100.
In an extreme case where an incident has ended up in court, the consequences could be even more severe.
A driver could be charged with "careless driving" and face a sanction of between 3-9 points and a fine capped at £5,000.
You can also be fined for failing to clear frost entirely from the windscreen and de-icing with your engine running could void your car insurance.