Is Santa's sleigh road legal?
The sleigh has few practical advantages over the modern automobile, but even our resolutely pragmatic motoring desk understands the importance of tradition at this time of year. Father Christmas would be significantly better off in a Volvo V90, or perhaps a Skoda Superb estate in L&K 4x4 trim, though we concede that there's more romance to the sound of bells than the hum of a 268bhp 2.0-litre TSI.
Accepting, for now, that Santa has ignored our advice for yet another year, he will need to follow several different laws when he and his vehicle arrive in Britain. The Highway Code in general applies to vehicles being used on our public roads, but there are sections worth highlighting in particular. And while there is little by way of reindeer-specific legislation in this country, many regulations are very vague in the animals that they apply to – a sleigh user, to some extent, is likely to have to comply with horse and carriage laws.
Can I drive a sleigh on an ordinary car licence?
A horse-drawn vehicle can generally be driven without a car licence. If you have a full driving licence, however, you’ll be at a significant advantage over those who attempt to use the public road on a horse and cart (or reindeer and sleigh) without one.
Furthermore, if you plan to take paying passengers in your sleigh, you may be required to apply to local authorities before doing so. A council may stipulate that you need a driver’s licence in order to obtain the requisite hackney carriage licence. There may also be further checks needed – including veterinary inspection of your reindeer – before plying for trade.
Is there a test?
You may be required to attend a “road driving assessment” before using your sleigh on a commercial basis. This can take place at your premises (it’s unclear whether travel to Lapland will be considered reasonable) and will take into account your control of the horse- or reindeer-drawn carriage.
Correct fitting of the harness and other animal-related procedures will be assessed. Additionally, you’ll be expected to demonstrate that you’re capable in all road conditions, and that obstacles are suitably managed in a safe and calm way.
How fast can I go?
Driving your sleigh “furiously” could land you in a special type of Victorian trouble under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847. It’s a vague term, but if you’re going faster than the conditions allow or are causing a nuisance to passers by, you may be in contravention of this law. A reindeer has a real-world maximum speed of between 10mph and 15mph, however, which won’t set off any speed cameras.
We’ve previously calculated that Father Christmas needs to travel at approximately 1,800 miles per second to complete his rounds on Christmas Eve. At this speed, your greatest worry is your relativistic increase of mass rather than speeding tickets.
Can I drink sherry?
Being drunk while in control of a group of large animals is inadvisable as well as illegal. Several pieces of legislation are in place, some drafted centuries ago, that outlaw drunkenness at the reins. Prosecutions under the 1872 Licensing Act, for example, still do occur when people ride horses, drive cattle, or attempt to use a horse and carriage while under the influence of alcohol.
Riding a horse while drunk may be dangerous and illegal, but reindeer arguably pose even more of a threat due to their antlers. The implications of even a low-speed frontal impact are severe, so we’d recommend against consuming any intoxicants in the 24 hours leading up to Christmas Eve.
What lights must I display?
Almost any vehicle being used at night should display a white light to the front and a red light to the rear. This is the case of bicycles, cars, even groups of sheep being herded. It is also advisable – though not always mandatory – to fit high-visibility reflectors to any vehicle being used at night, and for passengers and drivers to wear fluorescent vests.
What if my reindeer has a glowing red nose?
The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations, 1989, clearly state that “No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which is capable of showing a red light to the front”, with the exceptions of some emergency service vehicles. That means that deploying a reindeer that has the capability of emitting red light from its face is likely to be illegal, unless said reindeer is capable of turning off its iridescent nose or you find a way of covering it.
N.B. An aftermarket cover for your reindeer’s red nose will also be advantageous in UK air space, where flying with a forward-facing static red light is also likely to cause confusion.
