The Official Highway Code: DVSA Safe Driving for Life Series

by Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency

For over 90 years, The Highway Code has been the official guide to using the roads safely and legally. It has contributed enormously to road safety. However, every day, on average, 4 people are killed and 60 people are seriously injured in road collisions. This edition of The Highway Code introduces new responsibilities towards vulnerable road users. So it’s important for everyone on the road, including drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians, to update their knowledge. The latest rules of the road also include changes about vulnerable road users (the new ‘hierarchy of road users’), about self-driving cars, and much more. A failure to observe any of the provisions of The Highway Code might be used as evidence in legal proceedings.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Travel, Education, British Literature, Self Help, How To

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1931

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

No attempt at style. No attempt at pace. No sense of atmosphere. No narrative or characterization, to speak of. From time to time the narrator adopts a shrillily hectoring tone which is particularly off putting rather than trusting the reader to form their own interpretations. Clearly has a lot to learn.

[Ivana - Diary of Difference · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only chose this one because it's essential for drivers.

Even though I have a Macedonian driving license, I need to do all the theory and practice tests again anyways. So here we go again...

Quite informative and everything you need to know about UK driving.

I will give it five stars after I pass all the tests!

2020 Update:

I have just noticed this old review of mine, even though I have passed the tests a while ago. As promised, here are my 5 stars 😊

[Russio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat lacking in plot but certainly not direction,this elevates itself above the usual level of instruction manual by setting itself against a backdrop of Orwellian dystopia and carnage. Compelling stuff, if a little repetitive.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic romp through british roads. I particularly enjoy how the character Amber Light’s plot line gets brighter throughout. I laughed and cried!

[William Gwynne]

Just finished The Highway Code, and I did not read it for fun! Could work on its plot a bit.......

[Olivia Sussex]

juicy stuff

[Helena (helenareadsxx) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for my driving test

[Alaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

just finished reading. will rate 5/5 if i pass my theory test wish me luck

UPDATE: 5/5 I PASSED TY HIGHWAY MAN <3
and to the people who told me i wouldn’t pass without the app lol i got 47/50 thank u next

[Nia Das · Rating 1 out of 5]

fucking hated reading this. Read it in four hours. 300 and something rules for what. it could be summarised into like maybe 3 pages

[Carolyn Pickering · Rating 1 out of 5]

So upsetting that this is one of 4 books I have completed this year! I am doing my moped training tomorrow for my vespa - yes I have a blue vespa in a very Lizzie McGuire- this is what dream are made of- goodbye home hello Rome way and am genuinely terrified to be allowed on the road, I know for a fact 14 year old Lizzie McGuire did not make it through the highway code, I fear she's sold me false promises, I fear the highway code has not prepared me, I fear for unsuspecting road users, and I fear for my self.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stay off the roads! I'm learning to drive. I started lessons years ago but had to stop for various personal reasons. In 2020, it was time to start again. Marking this as read as I won't be reading it linearly but in the months to come, I will be dipping in and out of this reference book to help me pass my driving test.

June 2021 update: I've passed my theory test! I am one step closer to finally being able to drive properly and legally. 🚗
Granted, I was using an app more than this to revise but I still think this is very useful to know the rules of the road. Actually, after seeing some idiots while out driving with my instructor, I think this should be compulsory reading for all drivers (even if you've passed your test years ago)

[Alice Pickersgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A certifiable modern classic tbh

[Tanzeel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good book. Details the laws of the road which I doubt anyone follows, especially in Birmingham!

[jess :£ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a bit dry? Very serious read but quite informative. A bit passive aggressive at times? Some of my favoruite extracts from the book are:

“Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn”
“Drive extremely carefully”
“Keep well away from the vehicle and do not be tempted to try to rescue casualties as you yourself could become one”

(This is a joke for all purposes 💀)

[Becca Madden · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a fun read.

Wouldn’t recommend.

Had nothing to do with the song Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts.

Overall disappointment.

[Chlo · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book, though seemingly easy to read due to its lack of thiccness, is incredibly boring. I felt as though it lacked plot, adequate characterisation, and intrigue. The level of depth they used left little to the imagination, and thus lacked the suspense needed to keep readers interested. Along with this, it used complex sentences that were far too hard for a simpleton such as myself to understand. Someone tell the author that bullet points are not meant to be that bulky...I mean have they never heard of sub bullet points? Additionally, some of the diagrams were hard to decipher. Too many arrows and symbols tbh. After having read this book cover to cover, I remain highly confused about the entire driving and road system and remain thoroughly scared to begin my driving lessons. However, I feel as though some of these shortfalls could potentially be the fault of the entire system of driving within this country, rather than the book itself, and therefore I propose the entire system be simplified. Bojo, feel free to contact me to discuss my ideas. Overall, though I do appreciate the handiness of this little book, and accept that it will probably be useful for me, and so regard it as an essential read for anyone wishing to learn to drive, I am mad that I am being forced to learn to drive despite the fact that I know I will be shit, and therefore will be giving this book only 1 star.

[Bee Tay · Rating 3 out of 5]

IT IS DONE. And no, I don't feel weird about adding this to my GR Challenge count haha

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

really boring

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I PASSED ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Catrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

a truly riveting read

[charlotte d :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

passed my theory test but i only read a total of 2 pages of this book so the credit does not go to it

[Zoe (Zthecapybara) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to keep in your car as a reference and to answer questions. But not in depth enough to be the only book read by learning drivers.

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cyclists can go in any direction

[cyanha]

Yes, I'm counting it.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

5 stars for infodumping. Unfortunately, I’m all about the plot. 0 stars

[Nicole Miles]

I have now read this thing cover to cover. It is mostly dry (with occasional unintentionally humorous wording), largely obvious and often repetitive, but an important reference work for road users in the UK.

:I

[Ell Iot · Rating 1 out of 5]

Useful but OMG Snooooooooze

[rachid idjiou · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Highway Code is essential reading for all road users, including pedestrians, mobility scooter users, cyclists, horse riders, drivers and motorcyclists.

[purplebeeia · Rating 1 out of 5]

You know what education isn’t for everyone!!!! 😝😜🤪

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not the most riveting read, lacking explanation. Presumes you know stuff you don’t know and explains in great depth extremely obvious things.