No, applying makeup while driving is illegal in the UK under the Road Traffic Act 1988, as it constitutes “driving without due care and attention” or “dangerous driving.” Police may prosecute if the act distracts the driver, risking collisions. Courts treat it as a serious offence, with fines up to £2,500 and 9 penalty points.
Key Regulations for Applying Makeup While Driving in United Kingdom
- Road Traffic Act 1988 (Section 2): Prohibits driving “without due care and attention,” which includes any activity diverting attention from the road, such as applying cosmetics.
- The Highway Code (Rule 147): Explicitly states that drivers must remain in full control of their vehicle, with distractions like grooming or makeup application breaching this duty.
- Sentencing Council Guidelines (2024): Classify makeup application as a “distraction offence,” potentially escalating penalties to disqualification if deemed dangerous driving under the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.
Local enforcement agencies, including the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), prioritise such offences under their 2026 “Distraction-Free Driving” initiative, targeting behaviours that compromise road safety. Drivers caught may face immediate licence endorsement or prosecution under Section 2B of the Road Traffic Act, which addresses careless driving.