Drivers have been warned they risk penalties and prosecution after failing to read new road rules.
Nearly 90 named-rule amendments have been made to the Highway Code since 2020, but almost two-thirds of motorists have not checked it since passing their test.
Analysis by National Accident Helpline found 66 per cent of licence holders have never refreshed their knowledge, leaving many unaware of measures designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists.
The study revealed that 49 per cent of motorists are not confident they understand the code, raising concerns about confusion and avoidable crashes.
Fewer than half of drivers surveyed, at 47 per cent, knew about recent updates to driving regulations.
Awareness was lowest regarding cyclist priority, with only 21 per cent knowing that cyclists may pass slow-moving or stationary traffic on either side of a vehicle.
Just 52 per cent correctly identified that drivers should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross at a junction, while 33 per cent were unaware of restrictions on hand-held mobile phone use behind the wheel.
John Kushnick, legal director at National Accident Helpline, urged all road users to stay up to date.
He said: "Ignorance of changes to driving laws or the Highway Code puts everyone using our roads at an increased risk of accident or injury.
"Keeping up to date can help protect drivers and passengers, as well as vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists."
A Freedom of Information request submitted to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency revealed that 448,137 people were subscribed to official Highway Code email alert updates in 2025.
That figure represents roughly one per cent of the 41 million licence holders in the UK.
Survey findings showed that 16 per cent of drivers receive official alerts, while 40 per cent rely on news media, 23 per cent turn to social media, and 34 per cent do not check for updates at all.
Mr Kushnick said: "The easiest way to stay up to date with road rules and changes to the Highway Code is by signing up to the Highway Code’s email newsletter or by checking the Highway Code updates page."
Alex Jones, senior training manager at Bill Plant Driving School, warned of severe consequences for those who neglect changes.
He said: "Not only will you be unsure of how to navigate challenges on the road, but you will also be vulnerable to penalties, disqualifications and potentially causing fatal injuries to another road user or pedestrians.
"Falling foul of the law could result in legal action up to and including imprisonment, which would no doubt have a serious impact."
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