Vehicles in the countryside

You might meet vehicles being driven

• Responsibly on a byway open to all traffic
• By a person with a private right
• Illegally/irresponsibly

Except in a few situations, it is a criminal offence to drive a car or motorcycle on a footpath, bridleway or restricted byway.

For further information on Hampshire County Council's policy on the use and management of motor vehicles on rights of way and unsurfaced roads in the countryside see our Policy statement

If you want to drive along a byway open to all traffic

• Follow the countryside code
• Plan your route using our online maps . Check that the byways that you want to use are not subject to traffic regulation orders
• Your vehicle must be road legal (with tax, mot etc)
• Avoid routes which are vulnerable in wet weather
• Report any instances of irresponsible or illegal use.

The Trail Riders Fellowship and LARA provide useful tips and codes of conduct.

If you have a private right of access along a public right of way

• People are probably not expecting to meet vehicles on footpaths, bridleways and restricted byways, so travel at a safe speed, and with consideration to others.
• It is an offence to damage the surface of a public right of way.

Illegal or irresponsible use

• If you have come across an example of illegal use of vehicles in the countryside, this is a police matter.  Inform the police on 0845 045 45 45 with details of where and when the offence took place
• If irresponsible use of a byway is causing problems, please let us know

You can look at our online maps to identify the path in question.