Is it Legal To Use Walkie-Talkies Whilst Driving?

[Clivew]

We have to transport eleven horses from Central Scotland to the south of England later in the week and it will involve two of us driving them in two lorries. So we can keep in touch as we drive is it legal for us to talk using hand held radios, or is this illegal? They are not CB radios but genuine approved units. I have noticed other truckers using them, for instance, abnormal loads where drivers have to stay in contact with escort vehicles.

[Scousefella]

I would assume not when you consider that a hand is not committed to driving whilst operating the walkie-talkie. I am sure one of the BiB on the forum will confirm.

[Nigel Worc's]

It is perfectly legal to use anything hand held except mobile phones, usual driving without due care & attention rules apply etc.

Something is only illegal here if there is a law saying so.

[PHlL]

I'd think not as a sort of mobile device.

However, Police do it so maybe it's okay.

I use them when doing long road trips with friends. I personally don't see anything bad with it as you don't have to look at the thing, just press a single button and job done. Keeps you awake when on a late 12 hour drive having someone to talk to

[kambites]

It's legal although you could still be got under various carelessness type offenses.

IIRC the law is explicitly against holding a device which is capable of transmitting on whatever frequency range it is that mobile phones use.

[BFG TERRANO]

Yes you can use them whilst driving on public roads

[22Rgt]

But why would you really need to?? Both going to the same destination,one truck stops where the other one does, simple...

[jas xjr]

When I worked in construction some of us used to use Motorola walkie talkies, and I am sure they were available with v o x. Voice operated transmission.

[Nigel Worc's]

22Rgt said:

But why would you really need to?? Both going to the same destination,one truck stops where the other one does, simple...

Perhaps because he clearly wishes too ?

Why should he not use them ?

[Jonny_]

The cheap Motorolas I use at work came with wired headsets and are capable of VOX operation (i.e. voice activated).

[seopher]

It's legal (hence being so popular with taxi drivers), but as the other posters have said, you'll be subject to the usual "due care and attention" business.

But no, it doesn't seem like there's an outright ban, no.

[Mroad]

'Two Way Radios' are specifically mentioned as not being classed as a 'hand held device' for legislation purposes.
They are perfect legal to use while driving a motor vehicle.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/2695/pdfs/...

[Clivew]

22Rgt said:

But why would you really need to?? Both going to the same destination,one truck stops where the other one does, simple...

If the horses start acting up or some other problem it would benefit if we can communicate especially if it is in the rearmost lorry.