Built-up areas

The phrase ‘built-up area’ refers to areas such as town centres and residential streets. These areas also have regularly spaced street lighting. Unless signs show otherwise, this would normally mean that there’s a 30 mph (48 km/h) speed limit (see rules 113 and 124, as well as the speed limits table in the ‘General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders’ section of The Highway Code).

Always use dipped headlights, or dim–dip if fitted, in built-up areas at night. It helps others to see you. In areas where street lights cause patches of shadow, watch out for pedestrians, especially those in dark clothes, who can be difficult to see.

Remember to

• be on the alert for pedestrians
• approach pedestrian crossings at a speed at which you can stop safely if necessary
• watch out for cyclists and joggers.

Noise at night

Keep all noise to a minimum.

• Don’t rev your engine.
• Close your car doors quietly.

Remember that neighbours and children may be asleep. Take extra care setting and disarming the anti-theft alarm on your vehicle.

Using the horn at night

You MUST NOT use your horn between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am in a built-up area (except to avoid danger from a moving vehicle).

If you need to warn other road users of your presence at night, flash your headlights.