Is it illegal to use your phone to pay for fast food at a drivethrough? Fines for using contactless Pay at McDonald’s

EVERYONE enjoys a quick drive-thru stop for takeaway meals, but it could leave you in trouble for drivers.

Here is a look at some of the UK’s lesser known driving rules.

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Using your phone at a drive-through could land you with a hefty fine[/caption]

Is it illegal use your phone to pay for food at a drive-through?

Using your phone to pay for food at a drive-through in the UK is illegal under current laws.

Once behind the wheel, any use of a mobile phone, even while stationary with the engine running, is prohibited.

Violators face penalties that include six penalty points on their licence and a £200 fine.

This stricter enforcement, doubling the previous penalty of £100 and three points, applies regardless of whether the vehicle is moving.

For drivers who have held their licence for less than two years, accumulating six points leads to automatic licence revocation and a requirement to retake their driving test.

These measures are in place to prioritise road safety by minimising distractions and ensuring drivers focus on the road at all times.

What does the law say about using your food to pay for fast food when driving?

Rule 149 states: “You MUST exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times.

“You MUST NOT use a hand-held mobile phone, or similar device, when driving or when supervising a learner driver, except to call 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop.”

That means, using your card on your phone is something to think about when you’re on your next fast food run.

The law still applies to you if you’re:

• stopped at traffic lights
• queuing in traffic
• supervising a learner driver
• driving a car that turns off the engine when you stop moving
• holding and using a device that’s offline or in flight mode

How should you pay for fast food at a drive-through?

Motorists are advised to carry cash or a card instead of relying on Apple Pay or any similar mobile payment apps.

That’s because the app is installed on a phone – which can’t be used at all by a driver when the engine is running.