The Green Lane Association Drivers and Riders Code of Conduct

Be legal: use only public vehicular roads with known vehicular rights

Know that not all green roads have vehicular rights.
Ask locally, or check with your local authority if the route, or its status is not obvious on the ground.
Observe lawful closure signage.
Report any unlawful obstructions to the highway authority.
Keep to the defined track – beyond the road there is no public right to drive on common land, moorland, sand dunes, or beaches.
Ensure your vehicle and yourself are fully road-legal, green roads are subject to the same laws as tarmac roads.

Be wise: pay attention to the Four Ws

Weather – Do not travel on unsealed roads when they risk surface impact beyond a point of natural recovery when the weather improves.
Weight – Do not use roads which may be damaged by the wheel pressure applied by your vehicle.
Width – Do not use roads that are too narrow for your vehicle. Avoid damage to trees, hedgerows and boundaries.
Winches – The use of winches on public roads is inappropriate and should not be required.

Be eco: respect the countryside and observe the Countryside Code

Close all gates unless instructed otherwise.
Guard against all risks of fire.
Take your litter home and that left by others if you can
– plastic bags can suffocate livestock if swallowed.
Be aware that wildlife faces many threats and many species are in serious decline. Green roads are valuable habitats so avoid driving on the margins.
Take special care in spring and early summer when breeding, migration and flowering are at their height.

Be good: an ambassador for motorists

Make responsible motoring a form of quiet enjoyment of the countryside.
Avoid disturbing the tranquillity of National Parks and peaceful areas of the countryside.
Make as little noise as possible and aim to leave no trace.
Expect to meet walkers, cyclists and horses being led, ridden, or pulling carts. They have as much right to be there as you do and they should be respected, as you would wish to be respected by them.
Take particular care with horses, children and dogs. Best practice is to stop your vehicle and engine to let others pass.
Thank those who choose to give way to you and acknowledge others with a friendly smile and wave.
Travel at a quiet and unobtrusive pace of no more than 20mph according to conditions.
Choose and use only tyres that are road-legal, not aggressive in appearance, and not destructive in use.
When travelling in groups keep to a small number, four 4x4s or six motorcycles – less in sensitive areas – in other areas up to six 4x4s MAY be acceptable or up to eight motorcycles.
Be considerate of group sizes at meeting points or food stops.
Remember that these routes are public roads, not moto-cross or safari courses. Use of roads by rallies, classic trials, etc, is governed within the law of the land by the requirements of the event authorising bodies (Motorsport UK, AMCA, ACU).
Only by working together can the various and different users ensure safe and trouble-free continuation of access to these routes.

This Code is revised and reissued periodically. This version revised March 2025.