Quick answer: For car journeys with your dog, start with a suitable restraint: a seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard, as rule 57 of the Highway Code suggests. Then add seat protection, fresh water and a bowl, a towel and a way to clean paws before your dog gets in. Plan breaks on longer trips, and never leave your dog alone in a parked car.
Whether it is the drive to a favourite beach, a weekend away or a muddy Sunday walk twenty minutes up the road, most dogs spend a fair amount of time in the car. A small, well-packed kit makes those journeys safer for everyone and keeps the car in a fit state for the people who use it too.
This guide covers what the Highway Code says, how to choose a restraint, what to keep in the boot, and a few habits that make the journey easier.
What does the Highway Code say about dogs in cars?
Rule 57 of the Highway Code asks drivers to make sure dogs and other animals are suitably restrained, so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you have to stop quickly. It names a seat belt harness, a pet carrier, a dog cage or a dog guard as ways of restraining animals in cars.
The rule uses the word "should" rather than "must", so it is advice rather than a specific legal requirement in itself. However, the Highway Code explains that its advisory rules can be used as evidence in court to help establish liability, and driving while distracted by a loose dog could lead to a careless driving charge.
Seat covers and hammocks are not restraints
It is easy to assume that a dog on a seat cover is "set up" for the journey, but a seat cover, boot liner or hammock protects the car, not the dog. It will not hold your dog in place if you brake hard. Use one alongside a restraint, never instead of one.
How to choose a restraint that suits your dog
The right option depends on your dog's size, your car and where your dog travels:
- Seat belt harness: a common choice for dogs who travel on the back seat. It attaches to the car's seat belt system and should fit snugly without rubbing.
- Pet carrier: often used for small dogs and cats, secured so it cannot slide or tip.
- Dog cage or crate: a popular option for larger dogs in estate cars and hatchbacks, placed in the boot and secured so it cannot move.
- Dog guard: a barrier between the boot and the passenger area, which keeps your dog in the boot space.
Whatever you choose, follow the manufacturer's fitting instructions and check the fit regularly, especially for young dogs who are still growing. Most guidance suggests keeping dogs out of the front seat, where an airbag could injure them.
The car kit: what to keep in the boot
Once your dog is safely restrained, a few practical items make every journey easier. Keeping them together in a bag or box in the boot means they are always there when you need them.
Seat protection
If your dog travels on the back seat, a dog car seat cover hammock spans the seats and helps protect them, the footwell and the seat backs from mud, hair and claws. It straps around the headrests, the fabric is waterproof and scratch-resistant, and it wipes clean or can be removed and shaken out. Remember to use it with a harness that clips to the seat belt system.
Water and a bowl
Take a bottle of fresh water on every journey, not just the long ones. A collapsible travel bowl with a clip folds flat, holds about 350 ml when open and clips to a lead, bag or belt loop, so it takes up almost no room in the car.
A towel and a paw cleaner
Wet, sandy or muddy dogs are much easier to deal with before they get in. A quick-dry microfibre dog towel is highly absorbent and dries fast between uses, and a paw cleaner cup with a little lukewarm water loosens dirt from between pads and claws. Our muddy-walk checklist has a full routine for getting from the field back to the sofa.
A comfortable surface for a crate
If your dog travels in a crate, a mat makes the floor more comfortable and easier to keep clean. The washable dog crate mat has an anti-slip base and comes in 45 x 90 cm or 60 x 120 cm. Measure the inside of the crate floor before choosing; our dog bed size guide explains how.
The small extras
- Poo bags and a spare lead
- Your dog's usual food and any medication, for longer trips
- A familiar blanket that smells of home
- Kitchen roll and a bag for anything dirty
- Up-to-date contact details on your dog's ID tag and microchip record
Before you set off
A few minutes of preparation makes a real difference:
- Give your dog a chance to stretch their legs and go to the toilet before the journey
- Check the restraint is fitted and adjusted correctly
- Keep the car at a comfortable temperature, with good ventilation
- If your dog is new to car travel, build up gradually with short, easy trips
If your dog tends to feel unwell in the car, ask your vet for advice before a long journey.
On the journey
On longer drives, plan regular stops where your dog can stretch, have a drink and go to the toilet. Clip the lead on before you open the door or the boot, so your dog cannot jump out near traffic. Service stations and lay-bys can be busy, so take a moment to check the area is safe before letting your dog out.
Never leave your dog alone in a parked car
Cars can heat up very quickly, even on days that do not feel especially warm, and opening a window or parking in the shade does not make it safe. If you cannot take your dog with you when you leave the car, it is better to leave them at home.
A quick car checklist
- Restraint fitted: harness, carrier, crate or dog guard
- Seat cover or boot liner in place
- Water bottle and collapsible bowl packed
- Towel and paw cleaner by the boot
- Poo bags, spare lead and ID details checked
- Breaks planned for longer journeys
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to have a dog loose in the car in the UK?
Rule 57 of the Highway Code says dogs should be suitably restrained in vehicles. It is advice rather than a specific offence, but it can be used as evidence in court, and driving while distracted by an unrestrained dog could lead to a careless driving charge.
Is a car seat cover or hammock enough to restrain a dog?
No. Seat covers, boot liners and hammocks protect the car from mud and hair. They do not hold your dog in place, so use one alongside a seat belt harness, carrier, crate or dog guard.
Where should my dog sit in the car?
Most owners use the back seat with a seat belt harness, or the boot with a secured crate or a dog guard. Keeping dogs out of the front seat avoids the risk of injury from an airbag.
What should I do if my dog gets car sick?
Short, positive practice trips and good ventilation help some dogs get used to the car. If your dog is regularly unwell when travelling, ask your vet, who can advise on what is right for your dog.
You will find the seat cover, travel bowl, towel and paw cleaner mentioned here in our Walks & Car collection.