Driving a Motor Vehicle in a Dangerous State

The Law. 

Driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition occurs when a driver’s vehicle, or its use is unsafe and could cause harm to him and other road users such as cars, vans and motorcycles because it falls below the standard and guidelines

Penalties for Driving a Dangerous Vehicle. 

You can be charged with driving a dangerous vehicle for different reasons, such as:
• Faulty lights, which in some cases, the driver is not unaware of. Driving with faulty lights, such as a blown headlight or brake light, can result in a fixed penalty notice, a fine, and potential penalty points on your license. You could also receive a vehicle defect rectification notice, which requires you to fix the problem and provide proof of the repair within 14 days. If the police deem it too dangerous to continue driving, your vehicle may be taken off the road immediately.
• Tyres. This can include under-inflated or below the tread tyres. In the UK, driving with underinflated or illegal tyres can result in a £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre. Additionally, you could be banned from driving if your tyres are deemed unsafe.
The minimum legal tread depth for car tyres is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, and around the entire circumference. It is essential to keep the tyre tread to a reasonable level. Depending on how poor the state of the tyre is, you might be given a VDRS. If the tyre is in a genuinely poor state and below the legal tread limit, you can face up to 3 points per tyre, with 12 points for the whole vehicle. That can result in totting up and losing your licence.
• Brakes. Driving a vehicle with defective brakes in the UK can result in a fine and penalty points on your license. You could face a fine of up to £5,000 and 3 points on your license. Additionally, if your vehicle has defective brakes during a roadside check, you may receive a Fixed Penalty Notice, which could include a £100 fine and 3 points.
• Altering your vehicle. Any alterations to your vehicle can be dangerous and therefore illegal; it is essential to always double-check if the changes you are making are safe. Things like faulty tyres and car parts can class your vehicle as dangerous.
If your car has been altered from their original specification since it was manufactured, it’s considered modified. It is important to inform the DVLA of significant modifications to your vehicle such as lowering suspensions, adding spoilers, tinting windows and other modifications like a new exhaust, colour change or bodywork alterations. Modifying your vehicle without informing the DVLA can result in significant fines, potentially reaching £5,060 for certain modifications. Failing to notify the DVLA about modifications like lowering suspension, adding spoilers, or tinting windows can lead to hefty penalties. For example, illegally modifying suspension can result in a £2,500 fine and three penalty points on your license. Additionally, failing to notify the DVLA about vehicle changes can also lead to a fine of £1,000.
• Weight limit. Exceeding a vehicle's weight limit can lead to significant penalties, including fines and potential court summons. The severity of the penalty depends on the level of overload, with fines ranging from £100 to £300 for fixed penalties and potentially much higher fines and legal fees for more serious cases.
• Overloading a car with passengers. In the UK, there isn't a specific law that prevents you from carrying more passengers than your car has seatbelts, but overloading a vehicle with passengers can lead to penalties and legal action. Overloading can be considered careless or dangerous driving, potentially resulting in penalty points, fines, or even vehicle impoundment.
• Carrying heavy items incorrectly in a vehicle can lead to fines, penalty points on your license, and potentially disqualification, depending on the severity of the offense and whether the vehicle is a commercial vehicle.
• Loading insecure items. Driving with an insecure load can lead to significant penalties, including fines and potential disqualification. Drivers can face fixed penalties, potentially up to £2,500, and three penalty points on their license. In severe cases, especially if an accident results, fines could be higher, and there's a risk of disqualification.
Driving an LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) or PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) in a dangerous condition can result in severe consequences, including fines, points on your license, and even a potential prison sentence. The penalties can be substantial, ranging from a £2,500 fine to unlimited fines. In addition to legal repercussions, driving a dangerous vehicle can also lead to accidents and potentially serious injuries.