The Great Britain version, available in English and Welsh, applies to England, Scotland and Wales, but regional specific signs such as driver location signs in England or bilingual signs in Scotland and Wales are not covered. In 2004, for example, over one million copies of the Highway Code were sold. Most copies are bought by learner drivers preparing for their driving test. It is prepared by the Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, and is published by The Stationery Office in electronic form and as a printed book. The highway code was first published in 1931 as a booklet and has been regularly updated to reflect current practices. The mandatory rules reflect the Statute Law, which may (and usually does) provide a separate penalty. The annexes include information on vehicle maintenance, licence requirements, documentation, penalties, and vehicle security.Īny failure to comply with the Code is not an offence in itself, but can be taken into account by a court. The Highway Code gives information on road signs, road markings, vehicle markings, and road safety. The 2004 version, for example, contained 307 numbered rules and 9 annexes. The Highway Code applies to drivers of animals, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers. The Highway Code is a set of information, advice, guides and mandatory rules for all road users in the United Kingdom.
