Traveling with a dog in the car: the law, safety tips and the best products

Avoid canine chaos and potential accidents by safely securing your dogs.

Since the 1970s, laws began to be introduced to make seat belts mandatory in passenger vehicles worldwide. Experts have proven the benefits of wearing a seat belt and that it massively reduces the risk of injury for passengers. It took a long time for this idea to catch on for pets, but it’s finally here. It is now almost mandatory to take special precautions when transporting pets and there is certainly a right and wrong way to travel with a dog in the car.

There are many reasons why it is important to keep an eye on your dogs, from pets being a distraction in the car to injuries in an accident. Regardless, failing to comply with regulations could result in a heavy fine, invalidate your insurance, and in the worst case, be fatal for your dog or for you.

Since our pets bring us so much joy, it is only fair that when we travel with a dog in the car, we provide them with the appropriate safety equipment to ensure they are as protected as we are. Here, we will give you all the best tips on the safest way to travel with a dog in the car.

WHY DO PETS NEED TO BE RESTRAINED IN THE CAR?

There are a ton of important reasons to keep your dog protected and secure while you are driving. This applies to all dogs; even the best-behaved dogs need some form of restraint and it should be used, whether you are going to the shops or taking a longer trip.

First, it is vital for their safety. Seat belts and airbags prevent humans from crashing into what is in front of them if the vehicle collides with another object. A pet seat belt or carrier will do the same and prevent them from sustaining serious injuries if you are in a car accident. Things like appropriate boot mats for cars also prevent pets from slipping while driving, which could also cause injuries. Aside from the physical pressure it could put on them, many dogs hate driving because it is so artificial. Having the right equipment limits the stress of the experience for them, even if it can be stressful to put them in the basket or carrier!

After an accident, an unrestrained dog may be frightened or even aggressive, especially if they are in pain and confused. Having them properly restrained will make accessing them safely to help much easier and reduce the risk of them running away or lashing out in fear.

Second, your safety is threatened if your pet is loose in the car. They could seriously injure you and your passengers in an accident if they are thrown onto you. A Border Collie may not seem that big compared to many other animals, but when traveling at 30 mph, the force is equivalent to the weight of a polar bear. Forget breaking the ice, that will break your bones.

Loose pets can not only be involved in accidents, they can also be the cause of accidents. Dogs can distract the driver from the road when they climb or try to get on your lap, or perhaps even interfere with the steering wheel or brake pedal, thereby increasing the risk of an accident. Even if they are not doing anything dangerous, pets making noise, moving around, or attacking car accessories can cause drivers to take their eyes off the road and become a deadly distraction. It only takes a few seconds for a situation on the road that could be potentially fatal to develop. Even with the best-behaved dogs, it is not worth taking the risk.

Dogs roaming in the car can also cause insurance headaches. The terms of many car insurance policies require that, when driving with pets, they are properly restrained at all times. A loose dog in the car could mean that you have violated your insurance policy, invalidated it, and left you with a huge bill to pay if you are involved in an accident. This can also invalidate your pet insurance if they are injured and need treatment.

WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?

It is not straightforward to determine precisely what the law is in the UK regarding restraining dogs, as there is no specific “dog in car law,” but it is always better to be on the right side. Rule 57 of the Highway Code states that drivers must “ensure that dogs or other animals are properly restrained so that they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or injure themselves, if you stop quickly.” It also recommends that “a seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage, or dog guard are ways to restrain animals in cars.”

The Highway Code is not technically enforceable by law, but if you do not follow the regulations, it could still cause you problems. If you have an accident with an unrestrained pet, or even if the police stop you, it may be considered that you are driving “without due care and attention.” If you are involved in an accident because you were distracted by your pet, it could be considered dangerous driving. Driving without due care or dangerous driving can result in fines of up to £2500, up to 9 penalty points on your license, and in extreme cases, a driving ban. Some insurance companies now warn customers that their car insurance could be invalid if they are involved in an accident with an unrestrained animal in their vehicle.

TIPS FOR TRAVELING SAFELY WITH A DOG IN THE CAR

Dogs can travel in the back seat if they are attached to the seat belts with a car dog harness and they can also travel in the boot in a crate or on foot if a dog mat is used; remember to remove the parcel shelf to give them enough space. The quality of the harness, crate, or guard is also very important. There are many different types on the market, so take a look at our recommendations below to know where to start.

Small dogs should be placed in a pet carrier and secured with a seat belt on the back seats or on the floor behind the passenger seat. It may seem like they don’t have a good view, but sometimes not being able to see the road can make them calmer and less anxious or excitable.

Always make sure you have enough water for your dogs in your car, especially on long trips. Also consider bringing food if you are traveling during their normal meal times and plan places to stop for your dog to go to the toilet. Even if they don’t end up going, they will certainly appreciate the fresh air. Just like humans, meeting their basic needs will ensure that pets are less likely to distract you while driving.

 

If you are traveling with more than one dog, make sure they are separated as much as possible. Even the best of friends can suddenly change behavior in unfamiliar situations and trying to break up a dog fight while navigating traffic or driving on country roads will never end happily.
Use sunshades to cover the windows when it is hot or very sunny to help protect your dog and never leave them alone in a hot car, even if it’s only for 5 minutes.

 

If you know you have a significant or long trip coming up, it is worth taking your dog on shorter trips first to get them used to being in the car. It is important that they feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible. Getting used to it at a young age will mean it is part of their “socialization” and will not seem strange to them. Plan longer trips and make sure they usually end with something fun like a treat or a walk. Make these experiences as positive as possible, with plenty of treats and fun days so that your dogs look forward to driving.

 

It is also important to drive to fun places. Just as children hate going to the dentist, dogs will not enjoy going to the vet. If they associate the sound of the boot opening with a vet visit, it will cause more distress than excitement.

 

Finally, ignore movies and car advertisements: never let dogs stick their heads out the window. They could bump their head on something, fall out the window, or distract other drivers.

BEST PRODUCTS AND BRANDS FOR TRANSPORTING DOGS

Some of the products you might want to think about for your dogs are pet seat belts, harnesses, crates, and carriers, as well as boot or trunk guards or mats. There is a wide variety of brands that stock these different products, so here are some of the best.

If you are looking for carriers or containers for small dogs, SAVIC and EBI both offer an excellent range. These are typically made of sturdy but lightweight plastic, making them ideal for carrying or transporting a dog to and from the car. There are plenty of ventilation holes and flaps depending on the model, so dogs have adequate ventilation and can see what is in front of them, but it can help if a dog is anxious or disoriented during the journey. This is probably the safest way for a dog to ride in the car.

EBI also offers a range of small dog baskets so they can be carried under the arm. These might not be as safe for long trips, however, and should be used with a dog harness. Both brands also offer larger boxes or cages for dogs that can often take up an entire boot but can also accommodate multiple dogs and are often made of metal, great for protecting your dogs in a collision.

Hunter offers a premium range of larger dog transport bags, which could be useful for carrying a dog or for walking in the city or countryside. Along with this, Hunter offers a variety of polyester, leather, and faux leather protective mats to put in your car boot and protect the boot floor from dogs. POLGUM offers a range of very effective protection that prevents dogs from slipping and gives them a firm footing in your boot.

Finally, for dog guards and barriers to prevent dogs from climbing from the boot to the back seat, both DBS or Animals & Car offer a good variety of metal or mesh guards, depending on your needs.