As Christmas draws closer, many motorists are getting into the festive spirit. From driving home to see family and friends, to picking up the Christmas turkey, December is always a busy month for drivers, but should you be singing at the wheel or putting a Christmas tree on the roof?

Uswitch car insurance expert, Ben Smithson, said: “Driving at Christmas can be exciting. However, there are some little-known things that could put your safety at risk and invalidate your insurance.

Will putting Christmas decorations on my car invalidate my insurance?

Last month, over 3,240 Brits searched Google for ‘car reindeer antlers’, whilst a staggering 10,320 have been looking for ‘Christmas car decorations’.

Whilst Christmas car decorations may definitely add some festive cheer to your motor, they could also invalidate your insurance policy, as companies may refuse to pay out on claims if you’re involved in an accident.

This is because decorating a car is considered a vehicle modification. Companies invalidate cover because upgrading the aesthetics of a vehicle can make the car more attractive to thieves and criminals. It could also mean your car insurance premiums increase.

Can I get fined for singing Christmas songs in the car?

Whilst we love nothing more than a Christmas sing-along, it seems the car isn’t the best place to practice your karaoke skills, as those who sing and dance behind the wheel could be hit with a whopping fine of up to £5,000 if they get caught.

Drivers who have a bit too much fun with music whilst on the road could pick up a ‘driving without due care and attention’ or even a ‘dangerous driving’ charge.

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.

Is it illegal to put a Christmas tree on the roof of my car to carry it home?

Whilst it’s not illegal to drive home with your Christmas tree tied to your roof, you could land in trouble with the law if it’s not securely fitted, or too big.

The Highway Code states motorists must secure their load and ensure heavy and sharp objects are safe.

Size matters, too, as your Christmas tree must be small enough to be transported safely. Police officers will stop drivers if they deem a load to be too great and can issue fines of £100 for breaking the rules.

Do more car thefts take place during the festive season?

As the winter nights draw in and daylight hours are reduced, an analysis of stolen and recovered car theft data has revealed 25% more vehicles are stolen in the winter months than in the summer.

Car tracking firm Tracker discovered that, as the months get colder and darker, stolen vehicle rates get higher. According to police data, overall, January is the worst month for vehicle crime, with a whopping 41,029 reported in the first month of 2019.

December and January are peak months for car crime, as it’s when we typically experience harsh frosty mornings, and drivers often leave cars unattended whilst de-icing, which presents itself as a prime opportunity for criminal gangs.

To keep your car safe when you’re heading out, try to park in a busy, well-lit area or secure car park if possible, and ensure all windows are closed and doors are locked. On cold days, don’t leave your car unattended with the engine running while it warms up.

Are my Christmas presents covered by my car insurance provider if they are stolen?

Whilst we don’t like to think anyone would steal Christmas presents from our car, unfortunately it does happen, so it’s important to take extra precaution in the run up to Christmas.

If items are stolen from an unlocked vehicle, car insurance providers may refuse to cover the cost of the goods. It’s also worth checking your policy, as expensive items may not be covered due to personal possession limits.?

Expensive Christmas presents stored in a car make your vehicle a higher target for thieves, so to avoid falling victim to the crime, it’s safer to remove them when you leave the car.

Are there really more police checking for drink drivers over the Christmas period?

As the party season is often fuelled by alcohol, it’s no surprise that the police force crackdown on drink driving during December.

This year, there will be extra checkpoints across the UK, requiring motorists to undergo breath and drug testing. During last year’s operation, police data shows 3,231 people failed a breath test or refused to give a sample over just a fortnight, while 1,175 failed a roadside drug test.