As the August bank holiday approaches, millions of Brits are preparing for one final summer escape before the new school year begins. With over 19 million cars estimated to hit the roads this weekend, and traffic officers out in full force, you’ll want to stay on the right side of the law when you’re out and about.

Sandals and sunglasses in tow, to help drivers avoid sunny bank holiday driving habits that can result in unwanted hefty fines and points on your licence, Cuvva, the UK’s leading temporary car insurance provider, highlights lesser-known laws that you might not be aware of but want to steer clear of before setting off on your journey.

Wear flip flops with caution
Driving in flip flops is not illegal, but driving with loose shoes on can lead to more serious offences like, “Driving without due care and attention,” which carries a maximum fine of £5,000 and nine penalty points.

Sandals are backless, making it easy for them to get caught under pedals and potentially leading to loss of control. The Highway Code’s Rule 97 advises that your footwear should not prevent you from driving properly.

Wearing flip flops, sandals, high heels, or even wellies could result in an on-the-spot fine of £100 and three points on your licence if deemed inappropriate. In court, this fine could escalate to £5,000.

Cuvva suggests driving with closed shoes on and popping your flip flops on when you arrive, instead.

Check your sunglasses
While wearing sunglasses is sometimes the only way to stop the glare from the sun blocking your view of the road, shades that are too dark can also make it difficult to spot potential hazards.

Category 4 sunglasses are so heavily tinted that they transmit just 3-7% of light, making them unsuitable for driving. In fact, if you have an accident while wearing Category 4 sunglasses, you could be charged with dangerous driving.

Before getting behind the wheel, experts at Cuvva suggest you check the category of your sunglasses. It’s usually printed on the arm of your shades. Category 1-3 sunglasses are ideal for driving.

Avoid using your phone at a drive-through
During your bank holiday adventure you are bound to get hungry and stop at a drive-through. While it’s convenient to use your phone for payments at drive-throughs, handling your device while the car is in motion is illegal.

Unless your car is completely stationary with the handbrake on and the engine off, reaching for your phone could result in a whopping £200 fine and six points on your licence.

Don’t risk driving uninsured
Darryl Bowman from Cuvva said “Driving uninsured is another mistake to watch out for. Even if you’re just helping a friend out, borrowing a car or dropping something off around the corner, driving without insurance, regardless of the time and distance, is illegal and can result in a £300 penalty and six points on your licence.

“Being able to get short-term car insurance on any car that you need to drive, means there is no need to ever drive uninsured.”

If you’re heading out over the bank holiday weekend, Cuvva advises setting off early in the morning or later in the afternoon, when the roads are typically quieter on bank holiday weekends. The car insurance app also recommends planning journeys carefully, staying informed about any potential travel disruptions and sharing the driving.

Bowman said: “It’s always a good idea to share the long drive with a passenger. They can easily get a short-term car insurance policy to drive your car for a couple of quid, ensuring a smoother and safer trip for everyone.”