Did you know you could be breaking the law if your dog isn’t suitably restrained when travelling by car?
Whether you are just popping to a relative’s house or going on a long road trip, ensuring your dog is comfortable and secure will provide safe travel for all. The highway code states that motorists need to ensure that dogs are suitably restrained while travelling, with many of these rules ending in a law being broken if not followed.
If you are looking for an answer to ‘Do dogs have to be restrained in cars?’ for any vehicle journey you will be making in the UK, here is what you need to know.
UK Laws And Advice Around Having Your Dog In The Car
The laws in the UK have recently changed in terms of travelling with your dog in the car. Rules 57 of the Highway Code states that dogs should be suitably restrained so they can’t distract drivers or cause injury. If it’s found that a dog is unsuitable restrained and an accident occurs, this can lead to a fine of up to £5000. This code also advises against allowing dogs to travel in the front passenger seat.
Although there is no specific law surrounding dogs wearing seatbelts or harnesses, it is advised that owners use a proper harness or dog seat belt attached to secure the dog and prevent movement. There are a number of specific dog accessories that can be bought to ensure they are safe and comfortable whilst travelling.
Furthermore, your car insurance could also be affected if you are involved in an accident and your dog was unrestrained. Your insurer may refuse to pay out on the grounds that you were not in proper control of the vehicle.
How To Safely Travel With A Dog In Your Car
There are a number of reasons as to why restraining your dog in a car is necessary. If dogs are not secured properly, this could result in safety hazards towards passengers, the driver, other drivers and the dog itself.
- Restraints: make sure to invest in a good quality harness, crate or guard which can keep your dog and the rest of the passengers safe. All three of these accessories will ensure your dog can’t move around whilst travelling but they are also secure in case any road accidents occur.
- Carrying water and refreshments: cars can get overheated quickly, especially during warmer months, meaning even if you’re travelling a small distance, your dog might still need some water when you’ve arrived at your destination. If you’re travelling for a long period of time, you will also want to consider taking their normal meals to keep them hydrated and fed along the way.
- Making regular stops: dogs aren’t used to being cooped up in small spaces and will need to be let out regularly in order to stretch their legs and go to the toilet. Many dogs might also suffer from motion sickness so regular stops can help calm this.
- Remember their name tag: if you’re leaving home, your dog should always have their name tag on, especially if you’re travelling or going somewhere you or they aren’t familiar with.
- Ensure your car is ready for travel: by thoroughly checking before setting off including the tyre pressure, insurance, brakes, windows and top up liquids.
Things To Avoid When Travelling With A Dog
- Don’t let your dog hang out the window
- Having your airbags switched off
- Opening windows the full way
- Feeding your dog before you travel
- Leaving your dog alone in the car
- Forgetting snacks and any medication
Why Cabin Air Filters Matter When Your Dog Travels With You
Dogs bring in more than muddy paws. Fur, dander and outdoor allergens get pulled straight into your car’s ventilation system every time the air conditioning or heating is running, and a worn cabin air filter cannot keep up with the extra load.
A clogged cabin filter has a knock on effect for both of you. Airflow drops, windows mist up more easily on wet walks home and allergens that would normally be trapped end up circulating around the cabin instead. If you or a passenger have allergies, a tired filter can make journeys with your dog considerably less comfortable.
Most manufacturers recommend replacing your cabin air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, but if your dog travels with you regularly it is worth checking it more often. Filter Services stock cabin and pollen filters for a wide range of vehicles, making it straightforward to keep the air your dog and your passengers breathe as clean as possible.
Keeping Your Car Clean and Filtered After Every Trip
Between the fur, the wet weather and the odd muddy paw print, dogs put a car’s interior through more wear than most passengers. A few small habits can help keep things under control between deep cleans:
- Vacuum regularly: fur works its way into seat fabric and carpets quickly, so a weekly vacuum with a pet hair attachment stops it building up
- Check your air vents: fur and dander can settle around vent grilles, so wipe these down when you clean the interior
- Replace your cabin filter on schedule: this is your car’s main defence against fur and allergens reaching the air you breathe, so don’t leave it until airflow noticeably drops
- Air the car out: a few minutes with the doors and windows open after a trip helps clear lingering pet odours before they set into the upholstery
A well maintained filtration system does a lot of the hard work here. If you are not sure which cabin filter fits your vehicle, Filter Services can help you find the right part by registration or vehicle model.
Car Filters – Serving Drivers Across The UK
Filter services have a selection of car filters, ranging from air filters to oil filters, used to create a safe and clean driving experience. Our range of filters comes with some of the best quality features and brand names, used for a number of different vehicle types and industries including construction, car filters, lorries, agriculture, tractors, energy, mining and more.
Filter Services provide top-of-the-range filters for a number of industries, teaming up with brands such as Donaldson, Mann, Hifi, Baldwin and Fleetgaurd. You can be sure that the filters we provide a clean and safe driving experience.
Find out more about our car filter selection