Van Driver Mistakes That Could Instantly Invalidate Your Van Insurance

By now you should know what you can and can’t do whilst driving a vehicle.

Any vehicle, not just a van.

It does seem though, that some folks need to be constantly reminded of these facts, as some of our weekly stories illustrate.

Hands-Free Or Not At All

Holding your mobile phone whilst driving is a definite no-no; especially more so since the recent changes to the Highway Code.

However, one driver in Pembrokeshire was recently fined £220 plus costs of £90.

He also had the privilege of having 3 points on his driving licence.

Police charged the driver with “not being in proper control of a vehicle,” a Transit van.

They had spotted him using his phone while driving.

The driver also failed to attend the court hearing!

Dangerous Driving

Thames Valley Police recently sentenced another van driver to 18 months in prison after chasing and finally catching him.

The driver had been speeding at 90mph on the M40 and continued at this speed on the A40 after leaving the motorway.

Driving erratically and endangering other road users, the driver tested positive for drugs.

He also lacked a valid driving licence and van insurance.

Motorists Keeping North Yorkshire Police Busy

A team of officers in an unmarked police vehicle observed a van driver.

They were there to target lawbreakers on the roads, in this case, the A1M near Wetherby.

Not only was the driver in question not wearing a seatbelt, but he was also using his mobile phone.

When he saw the officers filming him, he reacted by sticking two fingers up at them.

Unsurprisingly, authorities fined him £200 and added 6 penalty points to his licence.

On Patrol In Harrogate

North Yorkshire Police recently patrolled and decided to investigate a white van and its driver at a roadside stop.

One officer instinctively sensed something was off, although they initially stopped the van for defective lights.

They investigated further and discovered the vehicle lacked tax, had no valid MOT, and the driver’s licence was revoked.

A definite case of “you’re nicked, sunshine”.

Don’t take any chances, and don’t get caught out without insurance.

Have a quick check for the best and cheapest van insurance quotes for your van.

Simply begin by completing this quick 3-minute form.

Driver Caught On M4 Driving Van Without Tyres Blames Covid And Alcohol

Ever Seen A Van Missing Tyres?

Imagine this:

You’re driving along the motorway at night.

Suddenly, you spot a van… with missing tyres.

That’s exactly what happened on the M4 recently.

A Night Out Gone Wrong

The driver?

He’d been out with friends, had a few drinks (maybe a few too many), and then decided to drive home.

Where did my tyres go?

How do you not notice you’re driving on rims?

We can only guess.

The driver was, in fact, almost twice over the legal alcohol limit.

So, perhaps that had a little something to do with it.

Driving on Rims? No Problem, Apparently…

But this driver didn’t stop.

Instead, he kept going.

Ten miles on the rims!

A concerned driver eventually noticed and promptly alerted the police.

Fortunately, since it was the early hours, the roads were quiet with far less traffic around.

Pulled Over by Police

When police pulled him over, they gave him a breathalyser test.

The result?

Almost twice the legal limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

Blaming Covid for Poor Judgement

The driver admitted the charge, but he had an excuse.

He blamed his poor awareness on Covid.

He tested positive the next day, claiming it “clouded” his mind.

So he wasn’t fully aware of his decisions.

“Trying to Reach Safety” as a Defence?

His defence argued he was just trying to reach safety, as recommended by the Highway Code.

But what does it say about drinking and driving with two blown tyres?

Maybe common sense would have been a better guide.

The Prosecutor’s Response

The prosecutor wasn’t convinced.

They argued it was the alcohol, not Covid, clouding his judgment.

Nice try, though.

Make sure you have the best and cheapest van insurance quotes for your van. Simply begin by completing this quick 3-minute form, and you’ll be on your way.

 

The Hidden Dangers Of A Messy Van: Why Clutter Could Cost You Big

How many drivers have messy vans?

It probably didn’t start that way.

But over time, life gets busy, and you’ll “tidy up next time.”

We all know “next time” rarely comes.

Suddenly, you’ve got cans, coffee cups, and wrappers piling up in the cab.

Sound familiar?

But is it really a problem?

Actually, yes—it can be.

Imagine something on the floor rolling over to the driver’s compartment.

What could happen then?

Two things are likely.

You need to brake, but there’s something lodged under the pedals.

Or, you decide to move it—and now, you’re distracted.

Both situations can lead to serious consequences.

If your van’s too messy, you could even face fines and points on your licence.

Did you know?

While there’s no specific law against a messy van, Rules 117-121 and 144 of the Highway Code might still apply.

Law enforcement, for instance, could easily notice you struggling with clutter.

As a result, depending on the severity, you might face a fine of up to £5000.

And in the unfortunate case where a fatality occurs due to distraction?

A prison sentence may inevitably follow.

Think it’s rare?

Apparently, millions of drivers leave rubbish in their vehicles.

But if your van looks more like a skip, it’s time to clean up.

Take it home.

But don’t throw rubbish out of the window.

Rule 147 of the Highway Code prohibits that too.

This includes cigarette ends and all that clutter.

Remember, it’s about consideration for others—especially cyclists and motorcyclists.

Is your insurance up to date?

Now’s a good time to check.

Use our quick 3-minute form form to find the cheapest options online.

When Good Manners On The Road Backfire: The Surprising Fines Of Courteous Driving

Did you know that simple acts of courtesy on the road could cost you points on your licence?

Or even lead to a fine?

It’s surprising, but trying to be polite to fellow drivers might land you in hot water.

Let’s dig into why these gestures can be riskier than they seem.

Helpful Honking

You probably think honking to alert other drivers is a good thing.

After all, you’re just trying to keep people safe, right?

But here’s the catch—there are strict rules around when you can legally use your van’s horn.

Imagine this:

You’re stuck behind a car at a traffic light. The light turns green, but they’re not moving.

Your instinct might be to honk to get their attention.

But in this case, that’s actually illegal.

Why?

Because the law considers this type of honking “aggressive” and a form of harassment.

Breaking this rule could leave you facing a fine.

And it’s not just pocket change.

If you honk without a valid reason, authorities can fine you £30 on the spot.

If you take it to court, the fine could go up to a staggering £1000.

So, think twice before reaching for that horn. Only use it when absolutely necessary, and only if it’s to alert others to a true hazard.

Waving

Ever waved to thank another driver for letting you merge?

Or maybe to apologize for accidentally cutting someone off?

While it feels like a polite gesture, it might also be a risky move.

Why?

Waving can distract you and take your hands off the wheel, which the law doesn’t take lightly.

In fact, any gesture that pulls your hands from the wheel, even for a split second, means you’re not fully in control of your vehicle.

During our research, we found that opinions vary on this topic.

The general rule?

If you keep your palm on the wheel and give a small raise of your fingers, that’s probably acceptable.

But raising your entire hand to wave?

That could lead to trouble if spotted by law enforcement.

No Flashing Please

We’re not talking about anything inappropriate here—just headlights and hazard lights.

It’s tempting to give a quick flash of the headlights or a tap of the hazard lights to say thank you.

But did you know this could get you fined?

Hazard lights are for emergencies only.

For instance, if you’re parked on the roadside due to a breakdown, or if traffic ahead suddenly stops.

However, if you use them to say “thank you” or as a way to excuse stopping on double yellow lines, you’re risking a fine.

And flashing your headlights?

The Highway Code specifically discourages using headlights for anything other than alerting other drivers of your presence.

So, while a quick flash might seem friendly, it could be seen as a misuse of lights.

Getting caught misusing lights could not only result in a fine, but could also affect your driving record.

Stay Covered

After considering all these rules, there’s one last thing to keep in mind.

Is your insurance all up to date?

It’s always wise to ensure you have the best coverage, just in case.

Fortunately, checking for affordable rates only takes a few minutes.

Simply use our quick 3-minute form form to compare options and secure the best price.

In the end, simple courtesy could cost you big, but staying aware of these rules—and keeping your insurance in order—could make all the difference on the road.


 

Dogs, A Van Driver’s Best Friend

Man’s Best Friend

Dogs…

Or, in this case, a van driver’s best friend.

Recently, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles conducted a very important study.

It concluded that a whopping 41% of you would rather take your loyal canine buddies to work with you.

This is instead of leaving them at home (potentially alone) or even with a trusted dog-sitter.

The Importance Of Restraining Your Dogs

Unfortunately, 29% of you also confessed to not securing them safely in your vans, meaning your pooch may not be restrained properly.

Big deal?

Well actually, yes.

If you plan to take pets on work journeys, you must restrain them properly.

This rule comes from the Highway Code (Rule 57).

This is to avoid accidents that could consequently be caused by your dog (or other pet) distracting you.

You could also be looking at a fine, and above all, potentially nullify your van insurance.

This means that, as much as we might love our goofball pups up in the front seat with us, it’s best to safely secure our dogs in an alternative fashion.

Safe Restraint Options

There are a few options you could try if you haven’t already done so.

For example, use a harness that doubles as a seatbelt or a secure cage or carrier.

Or the ever-popular method of using the boot (as long as you’re able to use a dog-guard).

It goes without saying that whichever choice you make, ensure your dog is as comfortable as possible.

A Cautionary Tale

In other van and dog-related news…

There have been reports of an unfortunate case of a delivery driver spending time at a police station (approximately five hours!) because of dogs.

The police arrested the delivery driver from Wales after someone wrongfully accused him.

Authorities suspected him of stealing a couple of sheepdogs.

In reality, the hard-working driver was actually carrying out his deliveries and found the dogs on the road.

Following this, he tried to get them to safety.

Be Mindful On The Road

So, whether you’re out and about in your van with your beloved dog as a companion,

or if you’ve found a stray and you’re trying to help it, be careful not to be mistaken as a dog thief!

Conclusion

Safety First

Secondly, and most importantly, secure your furry companions safely and keep your van insurance policy valid.

It’s as simple as that.

Whilst you’re here, why not prepare for renewing your premium and have a browse for cheap van insurance quotes?

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