Motorists have been told to remove one thing from their cars ahead of the weekend to avoid a hefty £2.500 fine. Bryn Brooker, Head of Road Safety at Nextbase, stressed road users must remove snow and ice from their vehicles before setting off.
The Met Office has predicted snowfall to hit parts of the UK on Friday and Saturday in the first big freeze of 2026. Meteorologists have issued amber and yellow weather warnings for snow and ice with parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and central and southern England all affected. Driving in snow is perfectly fine if motorists take precautions, but leaving any to build up on car roofs, windscreens and windows could be a blow.
Bryn said: “Before embarking on your journey, take the time to remove all snow and ice from your vehicle’s windows. This includes the windshield, side windows, and rear window. A clear line of sight is crucial for safely navigating wintry conditions and will keep you from a £2,500 fine and three penalty points on your licence for ‘using a vehicle in a dangerous condition’.”
The Met Office has warned that amber warnings for snow will cover parts of northern and eastern Scotland from 12 noon on Friday until 12pm Saturday. Experts have claimed that around 30-40cm of snow could cover the hills if temporary blizzard conditions hit over the 24-hour period.
However, the Met Office’s Chief Forecaster, Neil Armstrong, stressed the cold weather is unlikely to end there. He suggested that wintry hazards will continue with the cold spell likely to last well into next week.
Meanwhile, Transport Scotland has warned that cold weather will “impact driving conditions in the areas covered by the yellow warning”.
Bryn added: “As you clear your vehicle, don’t forget about the top! Remove all accumulated snow from the roof to prevent it from falling off onto the road, creating hazards for other drivers.
“Driving with snow on your car is not explicitly illegal, but if the police catch you driving with snow on your vehicle, you could face a £60 fine and three penalty points. This penalty is in accordance with section 229 of the Highway Code, which sets guidelines for driving in adverse weather conditions.”
