Motorhome drivers could face hefty fines for these simple mistakes

0
175
Image by Siggy Nowak from Pixabay

Motorhome owners warned of lesser-known rules to avoid fines of up to £2,500

Thousands of Brits have invested money in their motorhomes to enjoy the freedom of the road, whether it’s a budget-friendly staycation or a trip to the continent. While many will have winterised their motorhomes for the colder months, now is the perfect time to brush up on the rules of the road ahead of spring.

Here, experts from Ripe Motorhome Insurance share some of the lesser-known rules that motorhome owners need to know in order to avoid costly fines and even points on your licence.

Safe towing – up to £1,000 fine

If you’re planning to tow your car with your motorhome you need to follow a lower speed limit of 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways. Never use the outside lane on the motorway when towing. Be sure to invest in proper towing equipment and always check your motorhome’s towing capacity before doing so. If the vehicle you’re towing is wider than your motorhome, ensure you have towing mirrors or you could risk a fine of up to £1,000 and up to three points on your licence.

Having an alcoholic drink when parked – up to £2,500 fine

The beauty of motorhomes is their flexibility with many enjoying a glass of wine or a beer after a long day of driving, however there are some grey areas when it comes to drinking alcohol in your motorhome. Being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink can land you with up to three months in prison, up to £2,500 in fines and a potential ban. So how can you avoid this?

The important thing to remember is that you should be able to prove you have no intention of driving after drinking. Simple acts such as putting on your steering lock, popping your keys in a safe or putting your steadies down provides you with evidence to show your intention to stay put. Never sit behind the wheel when you’re having a drink and don’t start up the engine at any point after you’ve exceeded the legal limit.

Don’t confuse belts with berths – up to £300 fine

If you’re intending to enjoy your motorhome with the whole family, then be sure to check how many passengers you can legally carry to avoid a fine for “vehicle overloading” which can lead to points on your licence and fines of up to £300.

There is often a difference between the number of seat belts in the vehicle versus the number of beds, which can cause confusion. While side facing seats are not illegal, do not be tempted to fit additional belts to accommodate more passengers here as this can be dangerous and even break the law if you exceed the number of passengers your motorhome is licensed to carry. Always be sure to check your motorhomes V5 which will tell you how many passengers it is licensed to carry.

John Woosey, Founder of Ripe Motorhome Insurance says “Brushing up on your knowledge is vital to ensure you’re keeping passengers, other road users and yourself safe while enjoying your motorhome. While many of us might not be heading out during the winter, using this downtime to refresh your understanding of motorhome rules will put you in good stead once the warmer months roll around and this will help avoid any costly fines in the process.”

For more motorhome insights visit the Ripe Motorhome Insurance website.


Help keep news FREE for our readers

Supporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism, then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. Read More About Supporting The West Wales Chronicle