All UK drivers told to check under their car and tap on bonnet before driving off

All UK drivers told to check under their car and tap on bonnet before driving off As mornings turn colder and darker, the one small habit before setting off can help reduce the risk of harm Drivers across the country are being urged to do a quick check every time they're about to drive off. It comes as the weather is turning cooler and the mornings are getting darker. Autumn mornings are starting to feel very different. There's a chill in the air windscreens are misting up, and the light is arriving later every day. On October 1, the sun won't rise in London until just after 7am, and by October 24, the day before the clocks go back, it won't be up until around 7.40am. That means plenty of drivers heading off to work or on the school run will be setting out in low light, from cars that have been parked outside all night. And for a cat looking for somewhere dry and sheltered, the space underneath a car, inside a wheel arch or tucked into the engine bay can be very hard to resist. Natalie Surtees, COO and co-founder of Tedaisy Insurance Group, the company behind Perfect Pet, said: "As the nights get colder, cats naturally look for somewhere warm and out of the weather. A parked car ticks every box. It keeps off the wind and rain, and there are lots of snug little gaps a cat can squeeze into. "Most drivers never give it a second thought. But that's exactly why it's worth making a quick check part of your morning routine at this time of year." Does the same apply to EV drivers? It's a familiar risk with petrol and diesel cars, where the engine stays warm long after the car has been parked. With more than two million zero-emission cars now licensed in the UK, according to Department for Transport figures for the second quarter of 2026, Natalie said many EV drivers wrongly assume the problem doesn't apply to them. She added: "It's easy to think that because there's no hot engine, cats won't bother with an electric car. But a car doesn't need to be warm to be appealing. Shelter is often what a cat is really after. "Electric cars are also much quieter than petrol or diesel when they pull away, so a cat dozing underneath gets far less warning than it would from an engine starting up." How can you reduce the risk of harm? However, there are a few simple steps drivers can take to avoid putting cats at risk. Natalie also says: "Give the bonnet a firm tap, have a look around the wheels and tyres, and then wait a few seconds before you drive off. That gives any cat plenty of time to hop out." Cat owners can help from their side as well. Natalie said: "If your cat likes to be out at night, a cosy bed indoors or in a sheltered spot at home can make a parked car far less tempting when the temperature drops. It's also a good time to check your cat's microchip details are up to date. A cat that gets a fright can bolt and end up a long way from home, and an accurate microchip is often how lost cats are reunited with their owners. Since June 2024, it has been a legal requirement in England for pet cats to be microchipped by 20 weeks old, and owners must keep their contact details on the microchip database up to date. If a cat is found without a microchip, the owner has 21 days to get one fitted or could face a fine of up to £500. Natalie said: "None of this means worrying every time you get in the car. A tap on the bonnet and a quick look round the wheels is all it takes, and it soon becomes second nature, whatever you drive."