Are there limits on how far we can drive now?

[Poniesandgin]

Just that really. Can we drive as long as we want?
I know that the rules say you can drive as far as you want for exercise but are there distance limits? Are you still at risk of being stopped and fined if you are say 3 hours from home?

Disclaimer- Not me but my sister who wants to collect a much wanted, planned and waited for puppy who is currently 7 weeks overdue collection due to my sister not wanting to break any rules. Please don’t comment regarding ‘lockdown puppies’ as this isn’t the case at all

You can drive as far as you want for exercise, I don't know if collecting a puppy is allowed, it certainly wasn't last week, I saw a news item about someone being stopped while driving to do exactly that

Thanks Terrapin, I don’t think it’s essential sadly for her Most people must have just been breaking rules as she’s waited 7 weeks longer than it was due to leave. The breeder is struggling as it’s a huge litter!

I supposed she could just say she was driving for excersise, if there’s no limit on driving but she is more honest than me and won’t do that

The limit is up to the border (you can't go to Scotland or Wales) and you can't stay overnight at your destination so it needs to be somewhere that you can travel there and back in a day

Pick up it’s 3 hours there and 3 back so roughly 6 hours in total.
The breeder is happy to arrange a non contact collection and all documents have been signed electronically.

My sister just does not want to get stopped halfway there and fined but the rules are so unclear. If you can drive 3 hours to walk then what’s the difference

There was a thread about this a few weeks ago, and someone posted about the existence of Puppy taxi companies, that basically exist for these handovers. And the OP booked one.

I realise this sounds bonkers written down, but I really did read it.

@HotWatBot she has looked into one and the cheapest price was £400 for a 6 hour trip! Obviously if there’s no other way that will have to be the case but it’s so expensive when it would cost less than £100 diesel!

Sadly within England there is not as from tomorrow. Thanks to the incompetent government.

The Belgians have the sensible idea that you walk or cycle for your daily exercise, unless you have pre-school children or a disability.

Yes, that's quite expensive! I'd probably pay rather than drive all day 😄.

It doesn’t stand up anymore - you can’t make a non-essential journey to fetch a puppy but you can spend the day at a beach three hours away or go fishing for the day? It’s mad.

But how would the police know unless you told them? Where are you going? Home. Where have you been? Shops. It’s not like they’re going to follow her 100 miles to verify her claim.

I know someone through work who just did a 10 round trip to collect a puppy.... I wouldn't do that even in 'normal' times. What about driving halfway then exercising and then the same on the way back.... Bending the rules?

How do you pee?

Service stations open?

I suppose they could check where the car is registered to and ask why you are 3 hours away? I’m not sure.
I’ve never stopped on a car journey to wee although I presume side of road or quiet lane

Would the police even bother stopping since you can drive wherever anyway, probably not now!

It’s an exceptionally well bred rare breed puppy with hardly any breeders in the UK, that journey is short in comparison to some! It’s already 14 weeks old so reaching the point it needs to get to its new home for training and welfare reasons really.

Anywhere up to Wales and Scottish borders

Motorway services are open for fuel, toilets and takeaway food always have been; the cafe bits are shut for sitting down
think of lorries delivering food PPE etc people going to work etc