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Highway Code · Rule 99

Highway Code Rule 99

Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (89 to 102). A legal requirement (MUST / MUST NOT).

  • Rules for drivers and motorcyclists
  • Legal requirement
  • OGL v3.0

What the rule says

Law · MUST

Rule 99 (Seat belts and child restraints (rules 99 to 102)) You MUST wear a seat belt in cars, vans and other goods vehicles if one is fitted (see table below). Adults, and children aged 14 years and over, MUST use a seat belt or child restraint, where fitted, when seated in minibuses, buses and coaches. Exemptions are allowed for the holders of medical exemption certificates and those making deliveries or collections in goods vehicles when travelling less than 50 metres (approx 162 feet). Laws RTA 1988 sects 14 & 15, MV(WSB)R, MV(WSBCFS)R & MV(WSB)(A)R 2005 & 2006 Seat belt requirements. This table summarises the main legal requirements for wearing seat belts in cars, vans and other goods vehicles. Front seat Rear seat Who is responsible? Driver Seat belt MUST be worn if fitted

Driver Child under 3 years of age Correct child restraint MUST be used Correct child restraint MUST be used. If one is not available in a taxi, may travel unrestrained. Driver Child from 3rd birthday up to 1.35 metres in height (or 12th birthday, whichever they reach first) Correct child restraint MUST be used Correct child restraint MUST be used where seat belts fitted. MUST use adult belt if correct child restraint is not available in a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle, or for reasons of unexpected necessity over a short distance, or if two occupied restraints prevent fitment of a third. Driver Child over 1.35 metres (approx 4ft 5ins) in height or 12 or 13 years Seat belt MUST be worn if available Seat belt MUST be worn if available Driver Adult passengers aged 14 and over Seat belt MUST be worn if available Seat belt MUST be worn if available Passenger

Rule 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 99 comes down to one idea: rule 99 (Seat belts and child restraints (rules 99 to 102)) You MUST wear a seat belt in cars, vans and other goods vehicles if one is fitted (see table below). 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 rules for drivers and motorcyclists 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 rules for drivers and motorcyclists 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 99 matters on the road

Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders have little protection in a collision, so a moment of inattention from a driver can cause serious harm. Anticipating and giving them room is one of the clearest signs of a safe, considerate driver.

Common faults examiners record

In the rules for drivers and motorcyclists 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:

  • Passing cyclists or horses too closely or too fast.
  • Failing to anticipate a pedestrian stepping out near a crossing or parked cars.
  • Not giving way at a crossing when someone is clearly waiting.

On the day

Imagine approaching a cyclist on a narrow stretch during the drive. Applying Rule 99 means easing off early, holding back until you can see it is genuinely safe, then passing wide and slow before returning to your line. The examiner is watching for exactly that anticipation, not a squeeze past at speed.

Quick checklist

  • Scan ahead for pedestrians, cyclists and riders well before you reach them.
  • Give them room and time, pass wide and slow.
  • Be ready to stop at crossings and side roads.

More from Rules for drivers and motorcyclists

Related Highway Code rules

Rule 99, your questions

Rule 99 (Seat belts and child restraints (rules 99 to 102)) You MUST wear a seat belt in cars, vans and other goods vehicles if one is fitted (see table below). 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).