Rules for all types of road users have been updated in The Highway Code to improve the safety of people walking, cycling and riding horses.

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Guidance for Northern Ireland

The changes follow a public consultation on a review of The Highway Code to improve road safety for people walking, cycling and riding horses. It ran from July to October 2020, and received more than 20,000 responses from the public, businesses and other organisations. Most people who responded were in favour of all the changes.

The changes were made to The Highway Code on Saturday 29 January 2022.

Here are 8 of the changes that you need to know about.

1. Hierarchy of road users

The introduction section of The Highway Code has been updated to include 3 new rules about the new ‘hierarchy of road users’.

The hierarchy places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy. It does not remove the need for everyone to behave responsibly.

It’s important that all road users:

The 3 new rules are numbered H1, H2, and H3.

Read the new rules

2. People crossing the road at junctions

The updated code clarifies that:

A parallel crossing is similar to a zebra crossing, but includes a cycle route alongside the black and white stripes.

Read the updated rules

Rule H2 (Introduction)

Rule 8 (Rules for pedestrians)

Rule 19 (Rules for pedestrians)

Rule 170 (Using the road)

Rule 195 (Using the road)

Rule 206 (Road users requiring extra care)

3. Walking, cycling or riding in shared spaces

There is new guidance in the code about routes and spaces which are shared by people walking, cycling and riding horses.

People cycling, riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle should respect the safety of people walking in these spaces, but people walking should also take care not to obstruct or endanger them.

People cycling are asked to:

Read the updated rules

Rule H1 (Introduction)

Rule 13 (Rules for pedestrians)

Rule 62 (Rules for cyclists)

Rule 63 (Rules for cyclists)

4. Positioning in the road when cycling

There is updated guidance for people cycling about positioning themselves which includes:

People cycling in groups

The updated code explains that people cycling in groups:

People cycling are asked to be aware of people driving behind them and allow them to overtake (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when it’s safe to do so.

People cycling passing parked vehicles

The updated code explains that people cycling should:

Read the updated rules

Rule 67 (Rules for cyclists)

Rule 213 (Road users requiring extra care)

5. Overtaking when driving or cycling

You may cross a double-white line if necessary (provided the road is clear) to overtake someone cycling or riding a horse if they are travelling at 10 mph or less (Rule 129).

There is updated guidance on safe passing distances and speeds for people driving or riding a motorcycle when overtaking vulnerable road users, including:

Wait behind them and do not overtake if it’s unsafe or not possible to meet these clearances.

People cycling passing slower-moving or stationary traffic

The updated code confirms that people cycling may pass slower-moving or stationary traffic on their right or left.

They should proceed with caution as people driving may not be able to see them. This is particularly important:

Read the updated rules

Rule 67 (Rules for cyclists)

Rule 76 (Rules for cyclists)

Rule 163 (Using the road)

Rule 212 (Road users requiring extra care)

Rule 215 (Road users requiring extra care)

6. People cycling at junctions

The code has been updated to clarify that when turning into or out of a side road, people cycling should give way to people walking who are crossing or waiting to cross.

There is new advice about new special cycle facilities at some junctions.

Some junctions now include small cycle traffic lights at eye-level height, which may allow cyclists to move separately from or before other traffic. People cycling are encouraged to use these facilities where they make their journey safer and easier.

There is also new guidance for people cycling at junctions with no separate facilities.

The code recommends that people cycling should proceed as if they were driving a vehicle where there are no separate cyclist facilities. This includes positioning themselves in the centre of their chosen lane, where they feel able to do this safely. This is to:

People cycling turning right

The code now includes advice for people cycling using junctions where signs and markings tell them to turn right in 2 stages. These are:

People cycling have priority when going straight ahead at junctions

The code clarifies that when people cycling are going straight ahead at a junction, they have priority over traffic waiting to turn into or out of a side road, unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise.

People cycling are asked to watch out for people driving intending to turn across their path, as people driving ahead may not be able to see them.

Read the updated rules

Rule H2 (Introduction)

Rule H3 (Introduction)

Rule 73 (Rules for cyclists)

Rule 74 (Rules for cyclists)

Rule 75 (Rules for cyclists)

Rule 76 (Rules for cyclists)

Rule 167 (Using the road)

Rule 170 (Using the road)

Rule 211 (Road users requiring extra care)

7. People cycling, riding a horse and driving horse-drawn vehicles on roundabouts

The code has been updated to clarify that people driving or riding a motorcycle should give priority to people cycling on roundabouts. The new guidance will say people driving and or riding a motorcycle should:

The code already explained that people cycling, riding a horse and driving a horse-drawn vehicle may stay in the left-hand lane of a roundabout when they intend to continue across or around the roundabout.

Guidance has been added to explain that people driving should take extra care when entering a roundabout to make sure they do not cut across people cycling, riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle who are continuing around the roundabout in the left-hand lane.

Read the updated rules

Rule 79 (Rules for cyclists)

Rule 167 (Using the road)

Rule 186 (Using the road)

8. Parking, charging and leaving vehicles

The code recommends a new technique when leaving vehicles. It’s sometimes called the ‘Dutch Reach’.

Where people driving or passengers in a vehicle are able to do so, they should open the door using their hand on the opposite side to the door they are opening. For example, using their left hand to open a door on their right-hand side.

This will make them turn their head to look over their shoulder behind them. They’re then less likely to cause injury to:

Using an electric vehicle charge point

For the first time, the code includes guidance about using electric vehicle charging points.

When using one, people should:

Read the updated rule

Rule 239 (Waiting and parking)

Find out about all the changes

In total, 10 sections of The Highway Code have been updated, with 50 rules being added or updated.

You can find a summary of all the changes in The Highway Code updates list on GOV.UK.

Stay up to date

The Highway Code is essential reading for everyone. It’s updated regularly, so it’s important that everyone reads it – not just learner drivers.

Many of the rules in the code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you’re committing a criminal offence.

If you do not follow the other rules in the code, it can be used in evidence in court proceedings to establish liability.

You can:

The book has a new cover design so it’s easy to recognise.

Other ways to stay up to date

To stay up to date, you can also: