Millions of drivers risk £200 fine and licence points next week for not doing 'small but important task'

New research has found that almost a quarter of drivers do not change the time in their car, which works out to around 11.5 million drivers across the UK.

While many drivers will have the benefit of not having to change the times and instead relying on digital systems, some may have to change the time before they set off.

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Those who do not have the patience to change the clocks in their car may instead choose to look at their phone to check the time.

However, this could lead to drivers facing severe consequences including a £200 fine and six penalty points on their licence.

Motorists who have been on the road for under two years could face an instant ban if they receive six penalty points.

Rules were tightened in 2022 to ensure that all road users are aware of the consequences they face when on the road as they would likely be distracted.

The definition of "using" a phone can include illuminating the screen, checking the time, unlocking the device, sending texts or receiving calls.

A spokesperson for Group 1 Automotive said: "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."

The research also found that 77 per cent of people who do make the effort to change their clocks, although can take an average of 13 days to do this.

Experts are calling on drivers to make sure they change the clocks in their vehicles in a safe and stress-free environment to avoid being slapped with fines.

Drivers could also deal with further issues as if they fail to make the change to their clocks, they could end up being late for work or other appointments.

The spokesperson clarified that all motorists should be able to change the time in a simple manner, regardless of the make or model.

They added: "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.

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"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."