When you own a 4×4, one of the greatest pleasures you can experience has to come from the thrill of off-roading. That’s what your 4×4 has been designed for, after all, and so to confine all of your driving to a standard road environment would be almost criminal, given that your 4×4 is capable of so much more.
However, it’s not a case of simply turning off down a likely-looking country track and setting off over the hills in your 4×4. There’s much more to it than that. The fact is that, even though you might feel you could drive your 4×4 anywhere in theory, you aren’t permitted to do so in practice. Here are a few things that you need to be aware of.
Country Tracks
Although it might seem unfair to 4×4 owners, only a tiny percentage of unpaved roads in the UK are actually open for vehicular use; less than 10% in fact. For the few tracks that you can use, you need to remember that you are still using a road. That means keeping your 4×4 in full working order, wearing your seatbelt, and treating other users of a track (whether on foot or in an off-road vehicle) with courtesy.
You can usually find out which byways or tracks are legal for you to drive on by checking a relevant Ordnance Survey map for your area. Otherwise, you may need to enquire at the county council offices. The one thing you don’t want to do is illegally drive your 4×4 off-road, as not only will this get you in trouble, but it will also add fuel to the argument that 4x4s should be totally banned from driving on country track-ways.
Off-Road Driving Sites
You might not want to hear it, but the best 4×4 adventure sites are actually those that are specifically designated as such. Whilst it might not be as glamorous as just being able to roam the wilderness as you please, these sites and clubs will give you a diverse off-road experience, will be designed so as not to damage your vehicle, and you’ll also have no concerns about being in breach of the law either, so they’re great place to go.
There are many 4×4 off-road driving sites in the UK, and they’ll give you the chance to test your driving skills on a variety of terrain types, so simply put they are your best bet for really getting the most from your 4×4. What you’re looking for will determine the best place for you to go, so don’t be afraid to do your research. Of course, even though these courses are designed to be manageable, you still may need a few spare 4×4 parts in case you need to make a quick repair, and here at CWS 4×4 we have all of your needs covered.
We possess a broad range of spare parts that are compatible with almost any 4×4 model on the market, both old and new, so contact us now by calling +44 (0)1458 834930 or emailing [email protected] if you’d like to find out more.