Quick answer: In Great Britain, a load on your car must be secured and must not stick out dangerously (Highway Code rule 98). GOV.UK guidance says loads on a roof rack must be fixed with cargo ratchet straps or effective clamping, not rope or bungee cords, and never placed directly on the car roof. A rigid board can also trigger overhang requirements if it projects beyond the vehicle. An inflatable board in its bag can usually travel in the boot.
Getting a board to the water is the first safety task of any paddle. This guide covers the official road rules for carrying a board on a car. It reflects the Highway Code for Great Britain as published on GOV.UK; Northern Ireland publishes its own Highway Code, so drivers there should check nidirect.gov.uk. It is general information, not legal advice.
What the Highway Code says
Rule 98 of the Highway Code, which sits under “Vehicle towing and loading”, includes a requirement that drivers must secure the load and that it must not stick out dangerously. The rule also tells drivers to make sure heavy or sharp objects and animals are secured safely, because in a collision they might hit someone inside the vehicle and cause serious injury. The same rule bars overloading a vehicle or trailer.
A paddle board is a large, light object that catches the wind. The rule does not name paddle boards, but a board strapped to a roof is plainly a load in this sense, and the driver is responsible for it staying put.
GOV.UK guidance on roof racks
GOV.UK guidance on securing loads says that loads in passenger cars must be loaded and secured so there is no risk of harm to the driver, passengers or other road users, whether the driver is driving for work or leisure. For roof racks, it says:
- do not put loads heavier than the manufacturer’s recommended maximum weight limit on roof racks;
- secure the load to the rack with cargo ratchet straps or effective clamping, which is generally provided by specific products such as bike roof bars;
- do not use rope, bungee cords or other cords or cables, because they will not secure the load effectively;
- tie down any load that projects significantly in front of the support of the rack, such as ladders and canoes, using strong rope to the front of the vehicle;
- never load items directly onto the roof of a car, because the roof is not designed for this, friction is likely to be very low and there will not be enough suitable attachment points.
The guidance names ladders and canoes rather than paddle boards, but the principle of tying down a long load that projects past the rack applies equally to a long board.
Overhang: how far can a board stick out?
A paddle board can be longer than a small car’s roof. The rules on overhanging loads are in regulations 81 and 82 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended. An information sheet from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and the Department for Transport summarises the requirements and says the regulations themselves should be consulted for the definitive position. Its summary for loads projecting at the rear is:
- up to 1 metre: no requirements specified;
- more than 1 metre but not more than 2 metres: the end must be made clearly visible;
- more than 2 metres but not more than 3.05 metres: marker boards are required for a rear projection;
- beyond that, police notice and an attendant also apply.
The same sheet says a load projecting more than 305 millimetres on either side triggers further requirements, including notice to the police and marker boards. Because the sheet carries a 2009 Crown copyright date, check the current regulations before relying on its figures.
Inflatable boards: the boot option
GOV.UK says that wherever possible loads should be placed in the boot of the car, against the bulkhead, with gaps filled so the load cannot slide around. An inflatable board packed in its bag is a natural fit for this, as the site’s guide to inflatable and hard paddle boards explains. Carrying the pump, paddle and fin in the boot also keeps sharp or heavy items away from the passengers, which is the point of rule 98.
Before you set off
- Check the rack’s maximum load rating against the board’s weight.
- Use ratchet straps or purpose-made clamps, and check that they are tight before setting off.
- Secure the front and rear of a long board, and tie down anything that projects well past the rack supports.
- Measure the rear projection and compare it with the 1 metre figure above.
- Remove or secure the paddle, fins and pump so nothing loose can fly free.
Once the board is dry, storage guidance is in the guide on how to look after your paddle board.
The bottom line
The official rules are plain: secure the load, do not let it stick out dangerously, use proper straps or clamps, never load directly on the roof and check overhang. For many people the simplest route is to put an inflatable board in the boot. If a rigid board has to go on the roof, take the time to fix it properly. Check the current Highway Code and regulations for the definitive wording.
Sources
- The Highway Code: Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (89 to 102) (gov.uk)
- Securing loads on HGVs and goods vehicles: how to load different HGVs, light goods vehicles, small vans and cars (gov.uk)
- Overhanging loads (gov.uk)