Drivers face massive £5,000 fine for travelling with a bike rack this summer

Over the next few months, millions of people will be driving up and down the UK to go on holiday or enjoy a short staycation while the weather is nice.

Some may even drive to Europe to indulge in a longer holiday when schools are shut and people have more time off with their families.

However, motorists are being warned of huge fines and licence points for installing a common holiday feature on their vehicles.

When fitting a bike rack to the back of a vehicle, motorists must ensure that the number plate and brake lights are still fully visible to the drivers behind them.

Drivers can be fined £1,000 and fail their MOT test if they drive with an incorrectly displayed number plate.

Drivers can purchase number plates that can be fitted to the bike racks if they have no option but to cover the car’s number plate.

At the same time, motorists risk covering their brake lights, which can turn into a major safety issue if cars travelling behind cannot see when they are stopping.

This could see motorists charged with dangerous driving, which comes with a fine of £5,000 and up to nine penalty points on their licences.

In some extreme cases in which an accident occurs or someone is injured, motorists could have their licence taken off them or face a temporary driving ban.

The International Drivers Association tells drivers to be aware of the laws and safety concerns when using bike racks and roof boxes.

It added: “It is your responsibility to ensure the weight of your rack is suitable for your vehicle, and that what you are transporting is securely fastened in. 

“The rack should not hinder you while driving, so make sure your vision is not obstructed in any way and everything is secured. 

“It is also important not to impact other drivers around you, so make sure nothing is sticking out in a dangerous manner.”

The IDA added that motorists are recommended to take out supplementary insurance if they are not already covered by existing policy.

Roof boxes can also cause issues for motorists, with the Highway Code instructing drivers to ensure it is properly secured and is not sticking out dangerously.

Motorists should also check their vehicle manual or with the manufacturer to see the permissible roof weight, which should not be exceeded.

A large Volkswagen T5 has a maximum roof weight of 50kg which is the equivalent of two mountain bikes or two medium-sized suitcases, with family cars having a much lower overall weight.