Over half of British motorists were not aware of a range of common mistakes that could leave motorists caught out. Accidentally splashing a pedestrian while driving or making a rude hand gesture to another driver in anger are just some of the reasons why motorists can be caught out under strict road rules.
Being caught intentionally doing this can lead to a £1,000 fine and up to three penalty points issued on a driving licence.
CarParts4Less revealed that 32 percent did not know that using your smartphone as a sat nav without hands-free access can lead to a £200 fine.
Navigation tools can be used behind the wheel but these must be hands-free and not positioned in areas which can block road vision.
Under tougher measures, drivers can now be punished for even touching their phones for non-communicative reasons meaning motorists can be easily caught out.
Twenty four percent were also unaware that driving with a dirty number plate is a major driving offence.
Road users can be fined up to £1,000 for failing to keep their plate clean as this could be seen as trying to evade the law.
Number plates are crucial to detect who is behind the wheel and identify those who have committed offences.
Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) tools also scan cars to determine whether they have paid insurance and tax but covering up a plate means these checks cannot take place.
A spokesperson for the firm said it was vital that drivers “stay up to date” with the laws to avoid being hit with “unnecessary” penalties.
They said: “It’s not uncommon for drivers to develop bad habits over time and while most people will swear out of frustration or play their music loud.
“It’s important to be aware that this behaviour can land you in trouble if it goes too far.
“We advise that all motorists stay up to date with the laws of the road to avoid any unnecessary penalty points or hefty fines.
“Make sure your smartphone is correctly secured if using it as a sat-nav, be careful when driving through puddles and most importantly, be kind and considerate to other road users.”