Rules and laws in the United Kingdom (2026)
Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Every topic we cover for the United Kingdom. Each rule links to its official source.
Driving
Car insurance and green cards
Using a motor vehicle on a road in Great Britain requires insurance. Cars insured in the EU should carry a green card or other proof of insurance issued by the insurer.
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Car speed limits
The limit on lit roads is 30 mph, or 20 mph in Wales. It is 60 mph on single carriageways and 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.
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Distinguishing sign on cars
A UK-registered car with the UK identifier and the Union flag on its plate needs no UK sticker abroad, except in Spain, Cyprus and Malta. The UK recognises the sign on the left of an EU plate.
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Drink-driving limits
England, Wales and Northern Ireland use a limit of 0.08% blood alcohol; Scotland uses 0.05%. Police need a reason to require a preliminary breath test. Driving over the limit can bring up to 6 months in prison and a ban of at least 1 year.
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Driving after drugs
In England and Wales it is an offence to drive with more than 2 µg/l THC in the blood. A medical defence exists for drugs taken as prescribed and as directed.
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E-bikes and speed pedelecs
An electrically assisted pedal cycle (250 W, assistance to 15.5 mph) can be ridden from 14 without licence, registration, tax or insurance, and on cycle paths. A faster e-bike is classed as a motorcycle or moped, with licence, registration, tax, insurance and helmet required.
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E-scooters
Private e-scooters are illegal on public land. Rental e-scooters are allowed only in official trial areas.
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Foreign driving licences
Visitors may drive on a non-UK licence without an International Driving Permit. A new resident with a non-European Community licence may drive on it for 12 months.
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Minimum age for a car driving licence
A car licence is available from 17 in Great Britain, or 16 for certain recipients of the enhanced PIP mobility component. A provisional licence can be applied for from 15 years and 9 months.
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Mopeds
A moped needs a category AM licence from age 16, a protective helmet and motor insurance. Learners must complete compulsory basic training.
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Motorcycles: helmets and licences
Riders and passengers must wear a helmet in Great Britain, and daytime dipped headlights are not required. Minimum ages are 17 (A1), 19 (A2) and 24 for category A with direct access, or 21 with progressive access.
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Road tolls and vignettes
There is no general motorway toll; GOV.UK lists named toll roads, bridges and tunnels, such as the M6 Toll and the Dartford Crossing. The Dartford Crossing charge is due by midnight the day after crossing.
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Seat belts and child seats
A seat belt must be worn in any seat that has one. Children need a child car seat until age 12 or 135 cm, whichever comes first.
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Towing trailers and caravans
A car towing a trailer or caravan is limited to 60 mph on motorways. Towing mirrors must be fitted if the trailer is wider than the rear of the car.
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Using a mobile phone while driving
Using a hand-held phone or similar device while driving is banned, including at traffic lights. Hands-free use is allowed if the device is never held.
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Travel
Air passenger rights
UK261, the version of Regulation 261/2004 retained in UK law, applies to flights departing from the United Kingdom, with compensation of GBP 220, 350 or 520 by distance. The Civil Aviation Authority is the designated enforcement body.
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Customs allowances for tobacco and alcohol
Great Britain applies one set of personal allowances to goods arriving from outside the UK: 200 cigarettes, 4 litres of spirits over 22% ABV, 18 litres of wine and 42 litres of beer and cider. Northern Ireland has separate rules.
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Health cover for temporary visitors
In England, visitors from EU countries can use an EHIC for treatment that becomes medically necessary during a temporary stay. It does not cover private care, repatriation or planned treatment.
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Identity documents
The Identity Cards Act 2006 was repealed in 2010. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens generally cannot use a national ID card to enter, with listed exceptions.
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Meat and dairy imports
Since 12 April 2025 most meat and all dairy are banned from EU countries, with 2 kg of infant milk and special foods allowed. From outside the EU, meat and milk products are banned.
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Minors travelling: documents
Permission is needed from everyone with parental responsibility, and a letter is usually enough as evidence. Whether a child needs their own passport could not be confirmed from the official pages read.
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Rail passenger rights
The National Rail Conditions of Travel form part of the contract with the train company. Complaints go to the train company first, then the Rail Ombudsman.
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Short stays (90/180-day rule)
Visitors from EU countries, except Irish citizens, need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK without a visa. A visit can last up to 6 months.
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Tax-free shopping for visitors
The VAT Retail Export Scheme ended in England, Scotland and Wales on 31 December 2020. It continues in Northern Ireland for visitors who live outside Northern Ireland and the EU.
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Travelling with personal medicines
Up to a 3-month supply of schedule 2 to 4 (part I) controlled drugs prescribed in the traveller's country of residence can be brought in without a licence. Schedule 1 drugs cannot be imported without a licence.
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Travelling with pets
Pets need a microchip, a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel and a pet travel document, and must use an approved route. Dogs need tapeworm treatment before arrival, except from a few countries. Banned dog breeds cannot be brought in, and no more than 5 pets may travel unless attending an event.
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Living
Deposit return schemes and plastic bags
The deposit scheme for England and Northern Ireland comes into force on 1 October 2027 and covers PET bottles and steel or aluminium cans. In England sellers must charge at least 10 pence per single use carrier bag.
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Dual nationality
British naturalisation does not require giving up another nationality. Acquiring another nationality does not cause loss of British citizenship.
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Home education
In England and Wales parents must secure full-time education by attendance at school or otherwise. Rules on notification and consent differ by nation.
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Maximum working time
The average working week may not exceed 48 hours over 17 weeks unless the worker agrees in writing to opt out. Workers are entitled to 11 hours of daily rest and 24 hours of weekly rest, or 48 hours per fortnight.
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Naturalisation by residence
Naturalisation as a British citizen needs five years of residence, English at level B1 or above and knowledge of life in the UK. Dual citizenship is allowed.
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Paid holiday
The statutory minimum is 5.6 weeks of paid leave a year, which is at least 28 days for most workers on a 5-day week. Employers may count bank holidays as part of that leave but do not have to.
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Registering residence for longer stays
The police registration scheme ended on 4 August 2022 and the police need not be told of an address. The sources read do not state any other duty to register residence.
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Smoke alarms in homes
In England landlords of rented homes must fit smoke alarms on each storey used as living space and check them at the start of a tenancy. In Scotland all homes must have interlinked alarms, and the owner is responsible.
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State pension age
State Pension age is rising from 66 to 67 for people born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961, and from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046 under the law now in force. The State Pension cannot be claimed before State Pension age.
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Statutory minimum wage
The adult rate (age 21 and over) is £12.71 per hour from April 2026. Lower rates apply at ages 18 to 20, under 18 and for apprentices.
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Restrictions
Cannabis
Cannabis is a Class B drug, and possessing, growing or supplying it is an offence. The maximum penalty for possession is 5 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.
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Drinking age and alcohol sales
In England and Wales it is an offence to sell alcohol to anyone under 18. People aged 16 or 17 may drink beer, wine or cider with a table meal on licensed premises if an adult aged 18 or over is with them. Rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland were not checked.
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Drones
The UK has its own drone rules, run by the CAA. Pilots need a Flyer ID; the person responsible for the drone needs an Operator ID (18+).
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Fireworks
Adult fireworks may not be sold to anyone under 18 and may be bought from registered sellers only in set periods around Bonfire Night, New Year, Diwali and Chinese New Year. They may not be let off between 11pm and 7am except on certain nights, nor in the street or other public places.
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Knives and pepper spray
In England and Wales a non-locking folding knife with a cutting edge of 3 inches or less may be carried. Other bladed articles need good reason, and pepper spray is a prohibited weapon.
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Tobacco and nicotine age limits
In England and Wales the age of sale for tobacco and nicotine inhaling products is 18. England has a smoke-free premises rule for enclosed public places and workplaces.
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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.