Motorists stung by little-known driving law for when entering a drive-thru

19 November 2023 , 07:27

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Driving laws relating to phone usage were toughened last year (Image: Getty Images)

Motorists have been warned they could face hefty fines over a little-known driving law when using a drive-thru.

Many of us regularly pull into drive-thrus at our favourite fast food restaurants to grab a tasty treat, be it McDonald's, KFC or Burger King. And with the rise of smartphones and contactless systems, more people now use their phones to make payments.

So how does that tally with driving laws which state you shouldn't touch your phone at all while behind the wheel? Laws have been updated in recent years to reflect advancing technology meaning it is legal to use your phone to pay while at the wheel.

However, motorists could still find themselves in trouble while doing anything else with their phone while sat in the driving seat, which may prove tempting if sat stationary and you have your phone within reach waiting to pay. Anyone who is caught could face a fine of up to £200 and six licence penalty points, reports Birmingham Mail.

Driving laws relating to phone usage were toughened last year, making it illegal to even touch a phone or tablet while at the wheel. It resulted in many more motorists being fined for using phones.

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And it's not just phones which can get drivers into trouble at fast food restaurants. Eating on the go is also a motoring offence and anyone spotted stuffing food into their mouths while on the road could be done for driving without due care and attention, bringing with it a potential fine of up to £5,000, so it's always best to park up before starting to eat or taking the meal home.

Louise Thomas, motor insurance expert at Confused.com explained: "According to mobile phone laws, you can pay with your mobile phone but shouldn’t use it for any other reason while waiting in a drive-thru queue. This law is specifically for any activity where you're holding your phone.”

She added: "As eating often requires the use of your hands, you could land yourself a fine of up to £5,000 and points on your licence. This is because you would be driving without due care and attention in the case of an accident.”

Richard Guttridge