Rules about animals (47 to 58)
Rules about animals, including horse-drawn vehicles, horse riders and other animals.
Horse-drawn vehicles (rules 47 to 48)
Rule 47
Horse-drawn vehicles used on the highway should be operated and maintained in accordance with standards set out in the Department for Transport’s Code of Practice for Horse-Drawn Vehicles. This Code lays down the requirements for a road driving assessment and includes a comprehensive list of safety checks to ensure that a carriage and its fittings are safe and in good working order. The standards set out in the Road Driving Assessment may be required to be met by a Local Authority if an operator wishes to obtain a local authority licence to operate a passenger-carrying service.
Rule 48
Safety equipment and clothing. All horse-drawn vehicles should have two red rear reflectors. It is safer not to drive at night but if you do, a light showing white to the front and red to the rear MUST be fitted.
Horse riders (rules 49 to 55)
Rule 49
Safety equipment. Children under the age of 14 MUST wear a helmet which complies with the Regulations. It MUST be fastened securely. Other riders should also follow these requirements. These requirements do not apply to a child who is a follower of the Sikh religion while wearing a turban.
Rule 50
Other clothing. You should wear
- boots or shoes with hard soles and heels
- light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight
- reflective clothing if you have to ride at night or in poor visibility.
Rule 50: Help yourself to be seen
Rule 51
At night. It is safer not to ride on the road at night or in poor visibility, but if you do, make sure you wear reflective clothing and your horse has reflective bands above the fetlock joints. A light which shows white to the front and red to the rear should be fitted, with a band, to the rider’s right arm and/or leg/riding boot. If you are leading a horse at night, carry a light in your right hand, showing white to the front and red to the rear, and wear reflective clothing on both you and your horse. It is strongly recommended that a fluorescent/reflective tail guard is also worn by your horse.
Riding
Rule 52
Before you take a horse or horse drawn vehicle on to the road, you should
- ensure all tack fits well and is in good condition
- make sure you can control the horse.
If you are an inexperienced horse rider or have not ridden for a while, consider taking the Ride Safe Award from the British Horse Society. The Ride Safe Award provides a foundation for any horse rider to be safe and knowledgeable when riding in all environments but particularly on the road. For more information, see www.bhs.org.uk
Always ride with other, less nervous horses if you think that your horse will be nervous of traffic. Never ride a horse without both a saddle and bridle.
Rule 53
Before riding off or turning, look behind you to make sure it is safe, then give a clear arm signal.
When riding on the road, you should
- keep to the left
- keep both hands on the reins unless you are signalling
- keep both feet in the stirrups
- not carry another person
- not carry anything which might affect your balance or get tangled up with the reins
- keep a horse you are leading to your left
- move in the direction of the traffic flow in a one-way street
- never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends.
Rule 54
You MUST NOT take a horse onto a footpath or pavement, and you should not take a horse onto a cycle track. Use a bridleway where possible. Equestrian crossings may be provided for horse riders to cross the road and you should use these where available (see Rule 27). You should dismount at level crossings where a ‘horse rider dismount’ sign is displayed.
Rule 55
Avoid roundabouts wherever possible. If you use them, you should
- keep to the left and watch out for vehicles crossing your path to leave or join the roundabout
- signal right when riding across exits to show you are not leaving
- signal left just before you leave the roundabout.
Other animals (rules 56 to 58)
Rule 56
Dogs. Do not let a dog out on the road on its own. Keep it on a short lead when walking on the pavement, road or path shared with cyclists or horse riders.
Rule 57
When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.
Rule 58
Animals being herded. These should be kept under control at all times. You should, if possible, send another person along the road in front to warn other road users, especially at a bend or the brow of a hill. It is safer not to move animals after dark, but if you do, then wear reflective clothing and ensure that lights are carried (white at the front and red at the rear of the herd).
Rules About Animals: What You Need to Know for the Theory Test
The key themes are visibility, control, safe positioning and giving animals enough space. Theory Test questions often focus on how riders, drivers and other road users should respond around animals.
Horse-drawn vehicles need proper safety equipment
Horse-drawn vehicles used on the highway should be properly maintained. They should have rear reflectors, and if used at night, the required front and rear lights must be fitted.
Think visibility first
Around horse-drawn vehicles and riders, visibility is especially important. Reflective clothing and appropriate lighting help other road users recognise them in darkness or poor visibility.
What matters at night?
Remember the principle: make the rider, horse or vehicle visible from the front and rear using the appropriate reflective equipment and lights.
Horse riders should be easy to see
Riders should use suitable protective equipment and clothing. In daylight, light-coloured or fluorescent clothing improves visibility; in darkness or poor visibility, reflective clothing and appropriate lights are important.
Prepare before entering the road
Before riding, make sure the tack is suitable and in good condition and that the horse can be controlled. A nervous horse should be managed with extra care around traffic.
What should you check before riding?
A common test principle is control and equipment before movement: check the tack and make sure you can safely control the horse.
Horse riders follow the traffic flow
Horse riders should keep to the left, signal clearly before turning or moving off, and follow the direction of traffic on one-way streets. They should use extra care on narrow or busy roads and around bends.
Position safely and stay predictable
Look behind before changing direction, signal clearly and avoid riding in a way that could surprise other road users. On narrow, busy roads and bends, riders should move into single file.
What is the key positioning rule?
Remember: keep left, check behind, signal clearly and adapt your formation to the road. This is especially important on narrow or busy roads.
Know where horses should not go
Horses must not be taken onto a footpath or pavement, and should not be taken onto a cycle track. Use a bridleway where possible and use an equestrian crossing where one is provided.
Follow the route provided for horses
Do not treat every pedestrian or cycle route as suitable for a horse. Look for an appropriate bridleway or equestrian crossing and follow signs at level crossings.
What does an equestrian crossing tell you?
It is a crossing specifically intended to help horse riders cross the road. Also remember the separate instruction to dismount at a level crossing when the relevant sign is displayed.
Roundabouts need extra care for riders
Horse riders should avoid roundabouts where possible. If using one, keep left, watch for vehicles crossing the rider's path and use clear signals when travelling across exits or leaving.
Make your intentions obvious
At a roundabout, clear signalling helps drivers understand whether the rider is continuing around it or leaving. Watch carefully for vehicles joining or leaving across your path.
What should riders remember at roundabouts?
The key idea is avoid where possible; if using one, keep left, watch for crossing traffic and signal your intentions clearly.
Keep other animals under control
Dogs should not be allowed onto the road on their own and should be kept on a short lead on shared routes. Animals travelling in vehicles should be suitably restrained, while herded animals must remain under control.
Prevent distraction and sudden movement
In a vehicle, secure animals so they cannot distract the driver or be thrown around if the vehicle stops suddenly. When herding animals, use suitable warnings to alert approaching road users.
What is the safest approach around animals?
Think control, visibility and warning. Animals can behave unpredictably, so road users should be prepared for sudden movement and avoid creating unnecessary risk.
Remember Before the Theory Test
Don't Mix These Up on the Theory Test
Rules about animals contain several similar-looking situations where the correct action depends on the road, the animal and the rider's position.
Rules About Animals: Theory Test FAQ
What should horse riders check before going onto the road?
They should make sure the tack fits properly and is in good condition and that they can control the horse. A horse should not be ridden without both a saddle and bridle.
What should horse riders wear to improve visibility?
Light-coloured or fluorescent clothing helps in daylight. Reflective clothing should be used when riding at night or in poor visibility, together with the appropriate lighting and reflective equipment for the horse.
Which side of the road should a horse rider use?
Horse riders should keep to the left and follow the direction of traffic on a one-way street. They should check behind and give a clear signal before riding off or turning.
Should horse riders ride two abreast?
They should not ride more than two abreast. On narrow or busy roads and when riding around bends, they should ride in single file.
Can horses be taken onto pavements or footpaths?
No. Horses must not be taken onto a footpath or pavement. They should not be taken onto a cycle track either. Where possible, use a suitable bridleway.
What should horse riders remember about roundabouts?
Roundabouts should be avoided where possible. If a rider uses one, they should keep left, watch for vehicles crossing their path and signal clearly when continuing across exits or leaving.
How should dogs be controlled on roads and shared paths?
A dog should not be allowed onto the road on its own. When walking on a pavement, road or path shared with cyclists or horse riders, it should be kept on a short lead.
How should animals be restrained in a vehicle?
Dogs and other animals should be suitably restrained so they cannot distract the driver or be injured, or injure themselves, if the vehicle stops suddenly. Suitable options include a harness, carrier, cage or guard.
What should you do when animals are being herded on the road?
Herded animals should be kept under control. Where possible, another person should travel ahead to warn approaching road users, particularly near bends or the brow of a hill.
What should you remember about animals being moved after dark?
It is safer not to move animals after dark. If this cannot be avoided, reflective clothing should be used and the appropriate lights should make the herd visible from the front and rear.
What does the Theory Test usually focus on in the animal rules?
Focus on the core safety principles: control, visibility, correct positioning, clear signalling and extra care around animals. Questions may also test where horses can travel and how animals should be secured in vehicles.