The Highway Code change catching out drivers with a £200 fine and six penalty points

A Highway Code rule change that cracked down on using mobile phones behind the wheel has caught out thousands of drivers.

In March 2022, existing rules on phone use were tightened, making it illegal to use devices under most circumstances. Drivers were banned from touching their mobile "for any reason" even if you're stopped at a light or caught in traffic.

Breaking the rule can get you three to six penalty points. Data from Cuvva shows that between January and March this year 7,135 drivers breached requirements around control of the vehicle, such as using a mobile phone, as reported by MyLondon.

Using devices hands-free is permitted, but the DVLA says it's illegal to use your phone under the following circumstances:

The consequence for breaking the rule means you can get six penalty points and a £200 fine if you hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send and receive data while driving or riding a motorcycle.

The latest data from the DVLA shows that speeding remains the most common offence on British roads. Almost 200,000 people were hit with penalty points for exceeding the limit on public roads and speeding on motorways. This could get you between three to six points on your licence too.

The third most common offence is driving uninsured - a legal requirement that 10,286 drivers were found not to have. If you are caught driving a car uninsured in the UK, you could be faced with a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points. If the case goes to court, you could get an unlimited fine or even lose your driving licence.

Darryl Bowman from Cuvva said: "Driving uninsured is a big concern. Unfortunately, it's often the motorists who abide by the rules on the road that end up having to pay more for their