The 5 common driving mistakes that could see you fined, jailed or insurance voided

Some are breaking the law without even realising it, especially when it comes to travelling with pets

Many motorists are making mistakes that could see them face a £5,000 fine - or even prison. Some are breaking the law without even realising it, especially when it comes to travelling with pets.

While it's common knowledge that speeding and running red lights can land drivers in hot water, there are some rules of the road that people fall foul of. Driving recklessly through puddles or warning other drivers about speed cameras can both come at a hefty price.

Forgetting to wear your specs can also lead to a financially penalty, or even points on your licence. Motorists must also remember to renew your photocard licence every 10 years or face a fine.

READ MORE: Aldi and Tesco urgently recall popular products as customers warned 'do not eat'

Motoring expert Sal Patel from Finest Car Mats has revealed some of the most common - and expensive - driving offences. You'll find their top tips to stay on the right side of the law below.

Splashing the public

While it's considered rude to drive through a puddle, splashing pedestrians, it's also against the law. The Road Traffic Act 1988 states it is "illegal to drive without reasonable consideration for other persons," including other road users and pedestrians.

Sal said: "Splashing pedestrians at the side of the road is something that could lead to a fine between £100 and £5,000. In most cases, drivers would get a £100 fine and three penalty points.

"To avoid splashing, you can leave a good amount of distance between you and the car in front so you can get a better view of the road ahead. This will allow you more time to avoid the puddle or to slow down."

Unsecured pets

If you're travelling with your pet, they will need to be secured correctly or you risk invalidating your insurance and an on-the-spot £100 fine with three penalty points. If unpaid, the fine could increase to £5,000 and you could also receive nine penalty points.

"If you have a pet that you transport around in your car, think of them as you do with other members of your family," said Sal. "Your pets should be secured and safe when embarking on a journey. You can keep your pet safe by investing in a car crate or a suitable harness.

"When travelling with your pets, you will also need to make sure they are comfortable and you will need to carry water and install window shades to keep your pets cooler in the warm weather."

Warning drivers about speed cameras

Some drivers will warn others about speed cameras in their area by flashing their lights or by taking to social media to announce where cameras are located. While they may think they are doing a good deed, speed traps are often put in areas where there is a history of road traffic accidents.

Sal said: "Warning others about speed cameras can land you with a £1,000 fine, as you could be seen as obstructing the police. Obstruction of the police could also land you a one-month prison sentence."

Not wearing your glasses

If you forget your glasses but decide to drive anyway, not only have you put yourself and other road users at risk but you could also get a hefty fine if pulled over by the police. Driving licences have codes on the back, which show any restrictions on the vehicles you can drive, plus rules such as having to wear glasses. If you are pulled over and you aren't wearing your glasses you could get a £100 fixed penalty. Failing to pay the penalty could result in a fine increase of £1,000 and six penalty points.

"Failing to wear your glasses when driving is a motoring offence that could have deadly consequences," said Sal. "Not only do you pose a danger to others, but you can also invalidate your insurance by doing so. If you are a forgetful person, get a spare set of glasses and keep them in the glove compartment."

Failing to renew a photocard licence

Once you pass your test you have a responsibility to make sure your driving licence is up to date and you must renew your photocard licence every 10 years. Failing to renew your licence when it expires or providing a photo that doesn't show your true likeness could result in a £1,000 fine.

Sal said: "Ten years is a long time so remembering exactly when your licence is going to expire is not something many of us are thinking about, because of this it's easy to let your licence expire. Thankfully the DVLA do send out warnings before your licence expires so it's best to renew your licence as soon as you can. Doing your licence renewal online is the quickest option and can take around seven days for your new licence to come through."