While the legal system in the UK may derive from a familiar common law framework, there are certainly some weird UK laws that we immigrants didn’t have back home.
From odd antiquated rules that have never been repealed to television licenses, it’s important to educate ourselves on the legal quirks of our new home to avoid accidentally running afoul as newcomers.
In this article, I’ll highlight some unusual UK laws and regulations that often catch expats off guard but are important to know to stay above board as we settle into British society.
Table of Contents
Tax Compliance
Before I came to the UK, I knew this was a country stringent in taxes as it relied very heavily on taxation as an income. BUT, I didn’t know it was that stringent and had so many weird UK laws in taxation…
TV License
Do you know that watching TV in the UK is a right that only comes with when you pay for it? I didn’t know this beforehand and was utterly SHOCKED. A TV license costs £159 a year, and if you don’t pay the fee, it is illegal to watch any livestream TV shows on your television, AND other electronic devices (that means you can’t watch live TV on your laptop and smartphone too!). In addition, you must have a license to watch the BBC player.
The UK government explains that this weird law is used to cover the expense of the BBC, the most famous British national channel that opt not to receive a penny from advertisers to maintain its unbiased status. Do you agree with that claim? I personally would prefer the BBC to be funded by adverts rather than end users paying the sum.
Therefore, don’t be surprised when you receive a dozens of letter claiming that some random people are going to come to your home for inspection as you haven’t paid for the TV license. Just follow the letter’s instructions and go to the TV licensing site to declare that you don’t need a license.
To avoid paying that extra sum and comply with the law, I adjusted my lifestyle by not watching live TV shows anymore. I tend to watch Youtube for catch-up TV shows instead, which is allowed even without a license.
National Insurance Number
This is the one thing that you should get as soon as possible when you arrive the UK. Because without a national insurance number, you would not be able to work! This is very weird to me as I only had to submit my ID to work in the past…
Some jobs allow you to apply for it while you are interviewing for a job. However, the process of national insurance took me around a week and a half, it is much better to have it earlier than later.
The National Insurance Number basically is a reference number used by the government in the Pay As You Earn System (it is interesting how everything in the UK is referred to as Pay As You …). It is an important reference number that you will use throughout your life (if you decide to continue staying in the UK), but cannot be used as proving your identity.
A UK citizen usually automatically receive their National Insurance Number at the age of 16 if their parents filled out a Child Benefit Form for them, but for us expats, we need to apply it manually.
Luckily, the process is pretty simple and can be done all online. The real difficulty lies into STORING your number. After successful application, the government will send you a physical letter containing your National Insurance Number. STORE IT PROPERLY, as finding it later after you lost it is troublesome. You LITERALLY have to use it every time later in life when you apply for a new job. I saved mine in my phone.
Worldwide Taxation
This may or may not be weird to you depending on where you come from. The UK requires that all residents have to self-report their foreign income each year with a deadline of 31 Jan. As its tax system is residence-based, you do not need to do so until you officially become a UK resident (you can check out your residency status here).
International taxation is also perhaps why some of us are hesitant to move to the UK permanently. Once we qualify as a UK resident, we have have to pay foreign income tax the same way as we pay for our UK income tax, this does not only include money from employment, but also includes those from self-employed, pensions, rental income, and interest on savings.
In addition, you may owe capital gains tax when selling a UK or foreign property, or inheritance tax above certain thresholds. Some people I knew sold their overseas property before they moved to the UK to avoid paying the tax.
Traffic Laws
In addition to taxes, there are also some weird UK laws in its traffic rules. Many of these are particularly important to note if you are a driver in the UK.
Congestion Charge
This is not joking, but you can be fined for driving in certain places in London known as the Congestion Charge Zone!
The Congestion Charge is £15 daily. It primarily aims to reduce traffic, lower air and noise pollution in Central London and raise funds for the London’s transport system. You can check on the Transport for London site to see if you need to pay the charge.
Apart from the Congestion Charge, Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is another unique traffic zone in London aiming to improve the air quality. If you car does not meet the ULEZ emission standard, you will have to pay an additional £12.50 daily charge!
I know, you might start considering not having a car now after realising that there are so much more you need to pay…
Using Your Horn
Coming from a busy metropolitan city, I’m used to hearing the sounds of horn from day to night even when asleep. It seems to be the perfect tool to remind, alert others, or even help express anger.
However, using your horn relentlessly is not OK in the UK.
During my time here, I have only seen the horn being used for under 5 times, mostly because some reckless drivers decided to rush forward when it was unsafe. Most of them press the horn so lightly that I can only hear a slight beep.
And this is exactly how the horn is supposed to be used. You can only beep to alert others of your presence, when flashing your headlights isn’t sufficient.
Indeed, there are traffic laws to govern this. If you abuse the horn, you can face a fine of up to £1,000!
MOT
Not all countries require drivers to get their car regularly checked up by law, but the UK is one of those that have such requirements. MOT, or Ministry of Transport, is a test introduced in 1960 to check for different car parts and exhaust emissions.
All cars need to get a MOT test at the third year of its registration, then every one year after as each MOT only lasts for 1 year. If you drive a car without a valid MOT, you can get fined up to £1,000! Always make sure to do the MOT test before it expires, you are allowed to do it in advance for up to a month and keep the same renewal date.
Don’t leave it too late or you can get prosecuted for that!
Home and Garden
Owning a home doesn’t mean that you have full control over it. If you have bought a property in the UK, you might soon realise that things aren’t as simple as you thought it could be, particularly as there are rules that you were not aware of.
Home Improvements
Be careful when you are trying to do any work on your home! The building regulations in the UK set standards to ensure building works are done in a way that promote safety, energy efficiency and healthy living. New buildings, renovations, extensions, alterations and conversations are often subjected to such control.
You might need to get approval from the local council before carrying out any work, always seek advice from professionals like the builder that you hire when you are unsure! It is always better to play safe than to ignore the rules.
Similarly, it is often illegal to install an aerial or satellite dish on the front of your property and requires permission, be really careful if that’s what you are planning to do! I bought a house with illegally installed satellite dish facing the streets and was required to purchase an additional insurance just to keep me safe if the council questions us in the future.
Garden Trees
You might not be aware of this until your tree grows so tall that requires removal.
The fact is that you can’t just call someone and remove it. You have to ask for permission from the local council to prune or fell trees over a certain size on private property, and infringement may risk paying a huge fine.
I called a tree expert once to remove my tree and he advised me to contact the local council for permission before he carries out the work. Again, it is hard to know every single rule and law in the UK, and the best way is really to consult someone that has an expertise, and in this case, it is the tree expert!
The Weird UK Laws that Probably No One Knows
And lastly, just for your interest, here are some downright peculiar outdated laws still in effect but probably no one knows or follows:
- Wearing Armour – It remains illegal to enter Parliament while wearing a suit of armour. Yes, really.
- Cash Sales – Any cash purchase over £10,000 must be reported to HMRC anti money laundering authorities.
- Fortune Telling – Practicing fortune telling, witchcraft, or occult magic is still technically illegal.
- Salmon Suspicion – It’s an offence for someone to be found handling salmon under “suspicious circumstances.” Seriously?
- Dying in Parliament – You cannot die in the Houses of Parliament. Very much frowned upon!
- Taxi Troubles – All London cabs must carry a bale of hay at all times. And a rope. Plus the driver must know London like the back of their hand.
While these absurd laws aren’t heavily enforced, obey them to amuse any Brits impressed by your obscure legal knowledge as a newcomer!
I hope this primer helps expats adjust to the many peculiarities of UK law. While we weren’t raised memorising all these technicalities, brushing up can help avoid expensive fines or even jail time! When in Rome, know as the Romans do. Let me know if you found other weird UK laws that surprised you!
