Seven surprising fines van drivers face

Van drivers are being urged to be vigilant and avoid unnecessary fines and points on their licence.

The motoring experts at StressFreeCarRental.com have looked at the rules and regulations which could hit them hard.

Driving too many hours and failing to take the required number of breaks could leave drivers facing a fine. Overloading a van can see a fine of up to £300.

Drivers can also be fined for mobile phone use, breaking the speed limit, smoking in the van and leaving the engine running while stationary.

John Charnock, CEO of StressFreeCarRental.com said: “Van drivers can face significant motoring fines for various offences from speeding to overloading their vehicles, all of which compromise road safety.

“Overloading a van, speeding, loading and unloading, leaving the engine running while stationary could all see you land a fine or penalty points, which is the last thing any van driver wants.

“The fines aren’t just about punishment, they should be seen as a deterrent, encouraging drivers to stick to the rules of the road. It’s not just about their safety, but the safety of other road users too."

Here StressFreeCarRental.com highlights motoring rules and regulations:

1 Overloading the vehicle

An overloaded van can leave you with a fine of up to £300 or penalty points. Weights will vary based on the make and model of the van. Overloading will impact the safety of the van by increasing stopping distances and causing deterioration of tyres and suspension. 

2 Driving too many hours

If a driver exceeds the number of permitted driving hours or doesn’t take the required number of breaks, they could be slapped with a fine. By law, you must not drive for more than ten hours a day and you must take breaks from driving. 

3 Speeding

Get caught speeding while driving your van and you will face a fine and penalty points. Check the speed limits and follow them. Remember they are lower for van drivers in certain areas.

4 Mobile phone use

If you get caught using your mobile phone while driving you could face a fine and points on your licence. If you need to make a call, pull over somewhere safe, turn the engine off and make your call.  It’s worth investing in hands free if you don’t have it already so you can use the time you have in the van and stay out of trouble. 

5 Smoking in the van

Lighting up in a commercial vehicle used by more than one person is against the law and can result in an on the spot fine. You also need to make sure a no smoking sign is displayed.

6 Leaving the engine running

If you leave the engine running while stationary, you could be hit with an on the spot fine. Always turn the engine off if you're making a delivery, picking up a colleague or stopping to make a call.

7 Loading and unloading

Be aware of where you can load and unload your vehicle or you could face penalty points. Look out for designated loading bays and use them when you can. A single yellow line will mean loading at certain times, double yellow means no loading. If you’re new to the area, it’s worth checking with the local council first.