The short answer is yes, you can vape while driving in the UK, but only if it does not distract you or block your view of the road. There is no single law that bans vaping in private vehicles. Police can still stop you if your driving shows lack of proper control, or if dense vapour clouds obscure your vision. Treat vaping behind the wheel as a privilege that depends on safe judgement.
What the law means in practice
Careless or inconsiderate driving laws apply if you let vaping distract you. If you take your hands off the wheel for too long, fiddle with a device, or blow a cloud that fogs your field of view, you risk a fine and points. If an officer believes you were not in full control, penalties can follow. The standard is simple. You must maintain full control at all times and keep a clear view through the windscreen.
Vaping with passengers under 18
Smoking in cars with under-18s is illegal in the UK. Vaping is not included in that specific ban at the time of writing. Many families choose a no vaping policy in the car to avoid disputes and to keep focus on the road. If you transport children for work or in a company vehicle, follow the strictest rule set in your policy handbook.
Best practice for safe driving
Keep both hands free and eyes up. Take short, light puffs only when safe. Do not chase clouds in slow traffic or in busy town centres. Lower your device power to reduce vapour output in the car. Crack a window to vent residue so your windscreen does not film over. Never rebuild coils or refill on the move. Pull over somewhere safe if you need to fix a leak, change a coil, or refill a tank.
Windscreen clarity and ventilation
Large vapour clouds can mist glass. That can be enough for police to decide your view was impaired. Keep your climate control on a low fan with airflow to the screen. Use a microfibre cloth in the door pocket to wipe the inside glass when parked. If you notice film building up, clean the screen before your next drive.
Devices and settings that help
Mouth-to-lung pod kits create less vapour than sub ohm tanks, which makes them the better choice in a car. Choose tighter airflow and modest wattage. Avoid sweet heavy liquids during long drives since they can leave more residue on glass.
Company cars, taxis and work vehicles
Employers, taxi firms and fleet managers can prohibit vaping in vehicles. If your contract or licence conditions say no, you must follow that rule. Private hire and taxi drivers should expect a strict ban when carrying passengers.
Public transport and planes
You cannot vape on planes, trains, buses, trams or in most stations and airport buildings. Treat all public transport as no vaping unless a signed external area says otherwise.
Insurance and liability
If a collision occurs and vaping is shown to have distracted you, an insurer may argue that you failed to take reasonable care. That can complicate claims. The safe option is to vape only when the vehicle is stationary in a safe place, or to wait until the end of the journey.
Penalties you could face
You could receive a roadside warning, a fixed penalty, or a careless driving charge if your control is affected. More serious outcomes lead to higher fines, more points, or a court appearance. None of this is worth a quick puff in heavy traffic.
For adult vapers looking for value
When you are not driving and want larger bottles that stretch your budget, browse our full 100ml vape juice collection with flavours suited to everyday use.
Learn more about UK rules
For a wider look at UK vaping rules, including age of sale, TPD limits, MSDS basics and the 2026 vape duty, visit our Vape Regulations and Law hub which pulls our compliance guides into one place.
Final thoughts
Vaping while driving is not banned outright in the UK, but the moment it distracts you or blocks your view, it becomes a problem. Keep puffs light, keep windows cracked, and keep both hands ready for the road. If in doubt, wait until you can stop safely
For rules in buildings, pubs and stations, visit our guidance on is it illegal to vape indoors so you follow venue policy. For who can legally purchase and carry devices, visit what is the legal age to vape.