Fast food folly…
It’s a scene many UK drivers know all too well, you’re in a drive-thru queue, hungry, bored, and waiting for your order. You instinctively reach for your phone maybe to reply to a quick text or scroll through social media. But what seems like a harmless habit could actually cost you far more than your meal.
Motoring experts at Show Plates World, a trusted number plate supplier in the UK, are warning drivers that a simple mistake at the drive-thru window could void your car insurance and even land you a hefty fine or points on your licence.
Most drivers aren’t aware that using a mobile phone while stationary including in a drive-thru queue can still be considered illegal under current UK mobile phone laws. According to the rules, you are only allowed to use your mobile phone to make a payment, such as with Apple Pay or Google Pay, while your car is stationary. But if you use it for anything else – checking messages, scrolling, or taking photos – you could be in violation of the law.
“This law is specifically for any activity where you’re holding your phone,” said Show Plates World, who launched this warning after a sharp rise in customer questions around mobile usage at drive-thrus.
Getting caught using your phone for non-payment purposes, even while not moving, could mean:
- A £200 fine
- 6 points on your licence
- Potentially invalidated insurance if you’re involved in an accident
Worse still, insurers may view this kind of offence as negligence or reckless behaviour, making it difficult to claim or renew cover. Ellie Hargreaves, a car insurance specialist with over a decade in the industry, to shed more light on how this small mistake can spiral.
“Many drivers don’t realise how closely insurers now monitor driving offences,” Ellie shared. “If you’re caught using your phone illegally at a drive-thru, some insurers will treat this the same as being caught texting at traffic lights. It shows a lack of attention – and insurers take that seriously.”
Ellie explained that a claim could be denied if the driver was found to be at fault and using their phone illegally at the time of the incident – even if they weren’t moving. To help drivers avoid the trap, here are some quick tips:
Use hands-free
If you absolutely need to check something on your phone while in the car – for example, navigating to your next stop or confirming an order – make sure you’re doing it legally. The safest and smartest option is to use a hands-free setup. That means securing your phone in a dashboard mount or cradle where you don’t need to physically hold it. Pair this with your phone’s voice assistant – like Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa – to issue voice commands instead of tapping the screen.
Put your phone away
The easiest way to avoid accidentally breaking the law at a drive-thru is to remove temptation altogether. Keep your phone out of reach – tuck it into your glove box, centre console, or handbag before joining the queue. This helps you stay focused on the road (even if you’re not moving) and avoids the urge to quickly check a message, scroll through social media, or snap a photo of your meal.
Consider Paying with a Card Instead
If you don’t need your phone to pay, it’s even better to use a physical bank card instead. It’s quick, easy, and keeps you completely in the clear with mobile phone laws. Remember: even a split-second glance at your screen could land you a fine or points on your licence. So play it safe – if you’re not paying, put it away.
