Rule 149 (General advice (rules 144 to 158)) You MUST exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. You MUST NOT use a hand-held mobile phone, or similar device, capable of interactive communication (such as a tablet) for any purpose when driving or when supervising a learner driver. This ban covers all use of a hand-held interactive communication device and it applies even when the interactive communication capability is turned off or unavailable. You MUST NOT pick up the phone or similar device while driving to dial a number and then put it in the cradle for the duration of the conversation. You MUST NOT pick up and use your hand-held phone or similar device while stationary in traffic. There is an exception to call 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop. There is also an exception if you are using a hand-held mobile phone or similar device to make a contactless payment at a contactless payment terminal. Your vehicle MUST be stationary, and the goods or services MUST be received at the same time as, or after, the contactless payment. Never use a hand-held microphone when driving. Using hands-free equipment is also likely to distract your attention from the road. It is far safer not to use any telephone or similar device while you are driving or riding - find a safe place to stop first or use the voicemail facility and listen to messages later. You may park your vehicle using a handheld remote control app or device. The app or device MUST be legal, and you should not put other people in danger when you use it. Laws RTA 1988 sects 2 & 3, & CUR regs 104 & 110
Highway Code Rule 149
General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158). A legal requirement (MUST / MUST NOT).
- General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders
- Legal requirement
- OGL v3.0
What the rule says
Law · MUSTRule text reproduced verbatim from the official Highway Code (Crown copyright) under the Open Government Licence v3.0, see the attribution at the foot of this page.
In plain English
Stripped of the formal wording, Rule 149 comes down to one idea: rule 149 (General advice (rules 144 to 158)) You MUST exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. Because it is written with “MUST” or “MUST NOT”, it carries the force of law, ignore it and you are committing an offence, not simply driving badly.
It belongs to the general rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders part of the Code, the habits a confident, considerate driver builds until they are automatic. The aim is not to memorise the sentence word for word, but to understand the hazard it protects you from, so you apply it without having to think when it counts.
If you are learning, treat this rule as one piece of a connected set rather than an isolated fact. The related rules below sit in the same section and reinforce each other, reading them together is how the general rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders part of the Code starts to feel like common sense rather than a list to revise.
Because this is a legal rule, the consequences of ignoring it reach beyond the test: a “MUST” or “MUST NOT” breach can mean a fixed penalty, points on your licence, or in serious cases prosecution. Either way, the safe move is to build the habit early, while a driving instructor can correct it, rather than relearning it under test pressure. That is exactly what the practice routes and coaching in the DriveRoutes app are designed to help with, turning the rules below into the way you naturally drive.
Why rule 149 matters on the road
These are the foundations every other skill builds on. Solid mirror work, sensible speed and good lighting habits quietly prevent the situations the rest of the Code has to deal with.
Common faults examiners record
In the general rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders part of the Code, the faults most often written on the marking sheet tend to be the same handful. Knowing them in advance is the quickest way to drive them out of your own habits:
- Skipping or rushing mirror checks before a manoeuvre.
- Carrying an unsuitable speed for the road and conditions.
- Reacting late because hazards were spotted too close.
On the day
On the day, applying Rule 149 is about doing the safe, deliberate thing slightly earlier than feels necessary: read the situation in good time, observe fully, and act smoothly. The examiner is looking for planned driving, not perfection, and good habits formed in lessons carry you through.
Quick checklist
- Read the situation early and plan your response.
- Observe fully before you commit to anything.
- Keep your speed suitable for the road and conditions.
More from General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders
Related Highway Code rules
- Rule 148Highway Code Rule 148Rule 148 (General advice (rules 144 to 158)) Safe driving and riding needs concentration.
- Rule 150Highway Code Rule 150Rule 150 (General advice (rules 144 to 158)) There is a danger of driver distraction being caused by in-vehicle systems such as satellite navigation systems, congestion warning systems, PCs, multi-me…
- Rule 147Highway Code Rule 147Rule 147 (General advice (rules 144 to 158)) Be considerate.
- Rule 151Highway Code Rule 151Rule 151 (General advice (rules 144 to 158)) In slow-moving traffic.
- Rule 146Highway Code Rule 146Rule 146 (General advice (rules 144 to 158)) Adapt your driving to the appropriate type and condition of road you are on.
- Rule 152Highway Code Rule 152Rule 152 (General advice (rules 144 to 158)) Residential streets.
Rule 149, your questions
Rule 149 (General advice (rules 144 to 158)) You MUST exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. It is a legal requirement, it uses “MUST” or “MUST NOT”, so breaking it is a criminal offence that can mean a fine, penalty points, or disqualification.
DriveRoutes is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).