Expert warns taking a Christmas tree home incorrectly could lead to fines of up to £5,000 and invalidated insurance

Bringing home a freshly cut Christmas tree is a festive tradition, but temporary car insurance expert Claire Wills-McKissick at Tempcover warns motorists that failing to secure a seasonal haul correctly could result in hefty fines of up to £5,000, penalty points and invalidated insurance.

With up to 8 million* freshly cut Christmas trees sold in the UK each year, the risks stem from two core breaches of the Highway Code: an insecure load and obstructed vision.

Failing to properly secure any load, including a Christmas tree, can be deemed careless driving or dangerous driving and a breach of the Highway Code and the Road Traffic Act 1988. This can lead to significant penalties, such as 3 penalty points, fines of up to £5,000 and also invalidated insurance if a loose tree contributes to a collision.

Driving home with the tree

• On the roof: Secure the tree tightly to a proper roof rack using strong ratchet straps, placing the trunk end facing the bonnet. This critical positioning prevents the branches from catching the wind, which can cause the tree to act like a parachute and loosen the straps at speed.
• Inside the car: If wedged into the boot or pushed through the seats, ensure the trunk end is facing the front of the car. The tree must be tied down using the vehicle's anchor points (or even secure the load using the seatbelts if anchor points are unavailable) to prevent it from shifting dangerously during sudden braking.

All I Want For Christmas Is...A Good View

Regardless of the method chosen to get the tree home, it cannot obstruct the driver’s view of the road. Obstruction of the windscreen, rearview, or side mirrors carries fixed penalties of up to £100 and 3 points on your license. In more serious cases, especially if an accident occurs, this penalty can increase dramatically, resulting in higher fines and invalidation of the driver’s insurance policy.

And a Partridge In An Overhung Tree

It’s also important to consider the weight and size of your tree. Overloading a car - by exceeding the Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) listed in the vehicle’s manual - can affect steering, braking, and overall handling. This significantly increases the risk of an accident and can result in fines ranging from a fixed penalty up to £1,000 for serious breaches, 2-6 penalty points, and could cause insurers to legally refuse claims if an accident occurs. If any part of your tree overhangs the rear of the vehicle by more than 1.0 metre, the driver must ensure it is fitted with a brightly coloured or reflective flag to alert other road users.

Claire Wills-McKissick, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover says: “The spirit of Christmas is priceless, but the penalty for an insecure tree isn’t. Our advice is simple: ensure your tree is secured to legal standards and your vision is unobstructed. By doing so, you maintain the validity of your insurance, protecting your financial peace of mind. And if your vehicle isn’t up to the task, use temporary insurance to legally borrow a suitable van or larger vehicle that can handle the load safely.”

Safety tips:

• Netting is essential: Always have the tree wrapped in netting (most tree lots offer this). This compresses the branches, dramatically reduces wind resistance, and makes the tree easier to handle.
• Trunk Forward: Always load the tree with the heavy, cut end (trunk) facing the front of the car, whether on the roof or inside. This prevents the branches from acting like a parachute and helps secure the densest part of the tree.
• Use strong materials: Do not rely on the thinner twine. Use strong ratchet straps that are far superior to rope for achieving and maintaining high tension.
• Plan and slow down: Anticipate driving slower than usual, especially on highways or when cornering. A heavy, wind-resistant load significantly increases your stopping distance and affects handling.

*https://diygarden.co.uk/statistics/christmas-tree-statistics