DRIVERS are at risk of being fined if they choose to remove layers of clothing while driving.

Motorists are being urged to dress appropriately before getting behind the wheel or face up to a £5,000 fine.

The warning comes from young driver insurers Marmalade which said soaring temperatures can cause road users to become disorientated in the heat which could result in them becoming uncomfortable and distracted behind the wheel.

Being inappropriately dressed could cause an array of issues and could lead drivers to take their hands off the wheel and momentarily lose sight of the road if removing a jumper or top.

If pulled over for delayering, traffic cops could slap you with a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points for careless driving.

But, if the incident goes to court, the penalty for driving without due care and attention could leave motorists with fines of up to £2,500, or £5,000 in extreme cases, with motorists even issued penalty points and a possible driving ban.

The Highway Code states that drivers should keep their vehicle well ventilated to avoid drowsiness and keep temperatures cool, while the clothing and footwear worn when driving must not prevent the driver from using the controls in the correct manner.

CEO of Marmalade, Crispin Moger said: "With the long summer ahead, people will generally be spending a lot more time on the roads, travelling to their staycations or visiting family and friends.

"Most new drivers haven't had the best time over the last six months and many will be wanting to experience the freedom of being on the road and making sure that they can do that safely is a real focus for us."

The guide also includes a definitive list of essentials for your car.

1. Water

Perfect for preventing dehydration whilst stuck in holiday traffic and an essential for breakdowns.

2. Sunglasses

The essential summer accessory and ideal for avoiding getting dazzled by the sun.

3. Phone charger

Don’t want to keep track of your phone battery? Keep your juice topped up in the car to ensure that in the event of a breakdown you’ll have full charge to call for help.

4. Jump lead

Battery issues are common in the summer months due to increased stop-start activity so it’s better to be safe than sorry and have a pair of cables to hand if you discover you have a flat battery.

5. Torch

Don’t be fooled by the long evenings, you never know where or when you might breakdown. Having a torch available can be a great asset if you ever need to perform routine maintenance at the side of the road.