Little-known rule that can mean £100 fine and 3 penalty points when running out of petrol

Little-known rule that can mean £100 fine and 3 penalty points when running out of petrol Running out of fuel can not only be frustrating but can leave you with a fine and penalty points on your driving licence Many motorists know the feeling of driving to the petrol station as the fuel gauge falls and warning lights glow on the dashboard. However, while not only massively inconvenient, running out of fuel can also mean a £100 fine and three penalty points on your driving licence, depending on the circumstances. Under Rule 97 of the Highway Code motorists are warned they must "have sufficient fuel or charge for your journey, especially if it includes motorway driving". Getting it wrong could prove costly for while running out of fuel isn’t itself illegal drivers can be fined a minimum of £100 and three penalty points if their car obstructs the road as a result of an avoidable breakdown or if running out of fuel results in what is ruled to be careless or dangerous driving. If a vehicle causing an obstruction is found to be at fault for a collision, the penalty can be more serious. AA figures from 2022 showed they attended more than 10,500 breakdowns as a result of members running out of fuel or electrical charge with many of these on motorways or fast-moving roads. Speaking previously, Edmund King, AA president said: “There can be some genuine reasons for running out of fuel such as a faulty gauge or undetected fuel leak. On occasions cars may get stuck in jams for hours due to bad winter weather or miles of disruption leading to Channel ports which could result in running out of fuel. Hence we advise to always have at least one quarter of a tank of fuel. Likewise, some EV drivers might run low or out of charge if several chargers aren’t working. “One would hope that police officers would be reasonable in those circumstances. But where drivers negligently run on fumes, leaving themselves and others in danger on the road, the weight of the law can be brought to bear on them. Don’t be a fuel gambler by running on fumes. “Most of the out-of-fuel cases the AA sees are a result of driver misjudgement, and the police have the power to give a warning or a penalty if it is deemed to be careless driving or causes an obstruction. If you are running low, you can use the AA route planner to find the closest and cheapest fuel." The RAC also had a warning for motorists. It said: "While running out of fuel isn’t illegal in itself, any careless or dangerous driving that results from it could see you punished by law. You could receive a penalty of £100 and three points on your licence if you are forced to stop in the road and cause an obstruction. "In cases where your empty fuel tank leads to an accident, as well as putting yourself and other road users at extreme risk, you could be taken to court, or issued with 9 points and an unlimited fine." What should I do if I run out of petrol? According to vehicle insurance firm tempcover one of the most important things to do after running out of petrol is to ensure you stay safe. It advises: - As soon as it is safe to do so, pull over and turn on your hazard lights - Once parked, you should contact your breakdown service provider or a friend or family member who is able to bring you fuel in a jerry can - If you have stopped in a dangerous location or are obstructing traffic, contact the emergency services - If you’ve stopped on a motorway, leave the vehicle on the side away from the traffic and walk to a safe place. Stay near the car, but on the other side of the barrier - Don’t attempt to walk to a petrol station, especially if on a motorway It added: "You should also try to avoid restarting the vehicle if you’re out of fuel. This is because it could cause more damage to your engine. Check your breakdown policy to see if running out of fuel is covered. Some breakdown providers may charge separately to help you get to a petrol station."