The Highway Code
1. Contents
Introduction
Rules for pedestrians (1 to 35)
Rules for users of powered wheelchairs and powered mobility scooters (36 to 46)
Rules about animals (47 to 58)
Rules for cyclists (59 to 82)
Rules for motorcyclists (83 to 88)
Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (89 to 102)
General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)
Using the road (159 to 203)
Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)
Driving in adverse weather conditions (226 to 237)
Waiting and parking (238 to 252)
Motorways (253 to 273)
Breakdowns and incidents (274 to 287)
Road works (288 to 307)
Level crossings (291 to 299)
Tramways (300 to 307)
Direction signs on roads and motorways
Information signs
Light signals controlling traffic
Road markings
Road signs giving orders
Road works signs
Signals by authorised persons
Signals to other road users
Traffic signs
Vehicle markings
Warning signs
Annexes
You and your bicycle
Motorcycle licence requirements
Motor vehicle documentation and learner driver requirements
The road user and the law
Penalties
Vehicle maintenance, safety and security
First aid on the road
Safety Code for new drivers
Conversions and further reading
2. Introduction
This Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales. The Highway Code is essential reading for everyone.
The most vulnerable road users are pedestrians, particularly children, older or disabled people, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders. It is important that all road users are aware of The Highway Code and are considerate towards each other. This applies to pedestrians as much as to drivers and riders.
Many of the rules in The Highway Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence. You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to prison. Such rules are identified by the use of the words 'MUST/MUST NOT'. In addition, the rule includes an abbreviated reference to the legislation which creates the offence. See an explanation of the abbreviations.
Although failure to comply with the other rules of The Highway Code will not, in itself, cause a person to be prosecuted, The Highway Code may be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts (see The road user and the law) to establish liability. This includes rules which use advisory wording such as 'should/should not' or 'do/do not'.
Knowing and applying the rules contained in The Highway Code could significantly reduce road casualties. Cutting the number of deaths and injuries that occur on our roads every day is a responsibility we all share. The Highway Code can help us discharge that responsibility. Further information on driving/riding techniques can be found in ‘The Official DSA Guide to Driving  the essential skills’ and ‘The Official DSA Guide to Riding  the essential skills’.