You could be FINED £5,000 for belting out Christmas songs in the car 🎄 🎶

Whether you can hold a tune or you're completely tone deaf, you've probably at some point or another had a singing session in the car. Stuck in traffic? Get those vocal cords warmed up. Waiting to get out of a car park? Warble to your heart's content. ESPECIALLY at Christmas. What are you supposed to do when 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' comes on the radio except belt out 'FEEEEED THE WOOOOORLD!'?

However - those who love to give solo car concerts could find themselves in hot water, as experts have now warned that, if you're singing loudly in your car, you could be fined as much as £5,000.

According to the Mirror, playing loud music and singing along could come under the umbrella of 'carelessness', meaning you could be slapped with charges like 'driving without due care and attention’ or 'dangerous driving’.

Uswitch car insurance expert, Ben Smithson, spoke to Birmingham Mail, ""Driving at Christmas can be exciting, however there are some little-known things that could put your safety at risk and invalidate your insurance.

"Whilst singing along to Christmas songs and adding decorations to your car may seem like fun, they could also be a huge distraction and land you a hefty fine or increased car insurance premium."

See all the Christmas Number 1 singles from the last 50 years...

Select Car Leasing told the publication that there could be a £5,000 fine was well as nine points on the licence, with director Mark Tongue saying, "Listening to music in your car is one thing, but if you’re singing loudly, dancing in your seat and generally getting into the groove, then you’re at risk of being distracted from the job at hand - which is keeping your eyes on the road.

"If there’s evidence - either dashcam footage or testimony from a police officer - that you were dancing and singing prior to an accident, you could ultimately be prosecuted for dangerous driving or driving without due care and attention," adding that sports fans should also be wary of going overboard if they're celebrating whilst driving.

Sophie Allinson from David Gray Solicitors LLP said, "The police could choose to prosecute you if the way you listened to music caused a distraction as you drove. If it prevents you from driving with due care and attention, it could end in prosecution, and that includes singing or dancing at the wheel."

Read more:

All of John Lewis' Christmas adverts over the years

Brilliant Elf on a Shelf ideas to try on the kids

A definitive list of Christmas board games that cause the most family feuds

How to listen to Hits Radio:

Turn it up with Hits Radio! Home of Fleur East, Sam Thompson and Gemma Atkinson playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks, alongside the biggest laughs and life-changing competitions. Tune in on FM, DAB, online, ask your Smart Speaker to 'Play Hits Radio' and download the Rayo app.

• Driving