Drivers face £200 fines from today for forgetting 'small but important' task

Millions of drivers could be slapped with a £200 fine and points on their licence next week for failing to carry out a "small" but "important" task. As the clocks go back one hour at 2am on Sunday, October 27, motorists are being warned to ensure their car clocks are up-to-date.

Shockingly, new research reveals that nearly a quarter of drivers don't adjust the time in their vehicles, equating to around 11.5 million drivers across the UK. Those who can't be bothered to change their car clocks might opt to check the time on their phones instead, but this could result in hefty fines and penalty points.

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A spokesperson for Group 1 Automotive emphasised: "Ensuring the time in your car is correct is a small but important task that can have a huge impact on the way we drive. Having the correct time shown on your car clock can contribute to better timekeeping and a stress-free environment, and as the nights get darker, and more people drive during these hours, it's so important to ensure full safety."

They further explained: "In most cases, the time can be changed via the car 'settings' button on the dashboard, where you can find options to access the date and time settings. If you don't know how to do this, or can't find this option, consult the manufacturers' guide, and this should provide easy to follow steps on how to do this."

They also warned that drivers could face six penalty points on their licence and a £200 fine if they use a hand-held phone when driving. Furthermore, if you accumulate six points within two years of passing your test, you will lose your licence.

You can also receive three penalty points if you don't have a full view of the road and traffic ahead or proper control of the vehicle.