CONVOY RULES AND ETIQUETTE

The following is a guide to the rules and behaviour we expect members and visitors to follow whilst
participating in a club run. These rules are intended for the safety of participants and the general public,
and to ensure participants arrive to the destination as a group, and hopefully without incident.

PRIOR TO DEPARTURE

1. All vehicles must be legally registered and roadworthy, with applicable permits in place.
2. Ensure your vehicle has enough fuel, oil, water well before the run, and is mechanically able to
complete the journey. If your car uses excessive fuel, let the Trip Leader know so that fuel stops can
be planned accordingly.
3. Arrive well before the departure time. This allows organisers to brief everyone at once and not have
to repeat instructions for latecomers.
4. When asked to depart, follow Lead Car as quickly as possible to avoid any lengthy delays to traffic.
5. Unless advised otherwise, please ensure you have a meal before you leave home.
6. For your safety, we recommend at least 8 hours of sleep before the drive. Avoid hangovers and/ or
fatigue at all costs, including taking of alcohol while driving.

DURING THE RUN

1. When in a convoy, we are on display to the public and it is expected that all participants are
courteous to all traffic and pedestrians.
2. During daytime: On your ‘small’ lights and your fog lights. During nighttime: On your headlights and
your fog lights. This is how the rest of the world knows what is going on. Your lights being on enable
you to see your fellow members and know who is with you. If someone pulls off the road in trouble
they are easier to identify in the rear view mirror. Best of all it really looks cool.
3. It would be expected that general traffic would at times join or hold up a convoy. It is not essential
that all convoy members be strictly together if general traffic has broken the convoy. As long as
members can clearly see and are not excessively behind the next Audi in front, members should
continue in that lane and not overtake and risk cutting in front of the car you are overtaking.
4. Stay aware of the vehicle both in front and behind you. If you find that the vehicles behind you have
been split, then slow down or wait safely at any turnoff for those that are following.
5. When stopping, move off the road as quickly as possible. Do not stop on the roadway.
6. At a fuel stop, please fuel up as quickly as possible. Once you have filled your tank, move your
vehicle to allow others quickly through.
CONVOY STRUCTURE
 Lead Car
 Marshall
 Members' cars
 Sweeper

Lead Car:
1. The Lead Car must adjust speed at all times, remembering that the rear of the convoy may be a long
way back. Denote pace of convoy before hand, and also observe road signs and speed limits.
2. Constantly view mirrors to ensure the convoy is not spacing out too far.
3. If convoy has completely lost formation, it may be necessary to pull over somewhere safely to
reform.
4. A generous use of indicators when changing direction.
5. Inform the group prior to departure of the destination and any stops.

Marshall:
1. Stay in the middle of the convoy.
2. May move out of position to group strayed vehicles – and therefore will alternate between the Lead
Pack and Trailing Pack of Member’s cars.
3. Aid the convoy in crossing junctions.
4. Ensure convoy is in formation.

Members' cars:
1. Do not pass unless there’s an emergency.
2. Use indicators at all times when intending to pass for whatever reason.
3. Maintain a safe distance from the car in front.
4. Do not let the car in front get out of sight.
5. Flash your lights if in trouble.

Sweeper:
1. Very last car in the convoy.
2. Keep visual contact with the Lead Car (if possible).
3. Use 2 way radios and/ or mobiles to contact Lead Car if necessary.
4. When Lead Car indicates to pass, move over to prevent non-convoy cars interfering with the convoy.
This also allows convoy to safely pass.
5. Contact Lead Car if the cars at the rear have to travel too fast to keep up.

GENERAL RULES

1. Speed Limit: All participants are required to adhere to the speed limits provided for by the laws of
Kenya and/ or as guided by the Lead Car.
2. Substance and Alcohol Abuse: The club will not tolerate the abuse of controlled substances or
alcohol by any individual wishing to participate in the event.
3. The Laws of Kenya Traffic Act: Each participant is required to observe the Traffic Act as defined by
the Laws of Kenya. In the event that a participant violates a traffic law and is arrested and/ or fined,
the club will not be responsible.
4. Time Keeping:
a. Arrive at the starting point in good time for the briefing on the route and destination of the
trip.
b. If you are unexpectedly running late, let the organizers know.
5. Safety:
a. Keep good distance with the car you are following.
b. Overtake only when legal and safe to do so.
c. If a member of the group or public wants to overtake you, please let them. Do not close up
the gap to the car in front of you and force the overtaking car into a dangerous maneuver.
d. If you planning to depart from the run earlier, please let the Lead Car and the Sweeper
know.
6. Emergency Situations:
a. Call the Sweeper using the numbers provided
b. Flash your lights .
c. If a car gets in trouble, nobody in the convoy stops EXCEPT for the sweeper and one
other vehicle within the convoy.
d. The sweeper will ensure everything is okay and the convoy will be required to proceed until
a suitable stopping place is found.
7. Vehicle Preparation:
a. Your vehicle should have a Jack, wheel spanner, two (2) safety triangles, flash light, jumper
cables (if automatic), reflective jackets, first aid kit, and a well pressurized spare tyre.
b. Check to ensure that all brake, indicator, parking and head lights are working.
c. At least 3 days before the trip check, adjust/ replace and test drive brakes (foot and
handbrake), bonnet latch, wheel bearings, shock absorber mounting, ball joints and key
suspension bushes. Avoid any major works on the vehicle a day before the drive.
d. Ensure that your safety belts are in good working condition.
e. On the morning of the drive, check and top-up window washer, coolant, oil, ATF and any
other lubes to the correct level.
f. Ensure that you have a tool kit in the vehicle with the most common and basic
spanners applicable to your vehicle.

The success of a convoy run depends on TWO things:

1. The driver of the lead car knowing where he is going!
2. The driver of each car staying, WITHOUT FAIL, with the car BEHIND, NOT the car in front.

In practice this means that each driver, starting with the lead car, drives in such a way that they never
lose visual contact, for any significant period, with the car following.

DO NOT attempt to stay with the car in front under any circumstance. Your responsibility and allegiance
is with the car BEHIND you. Keep the car behind you in sight, if it is not then STOP in a safe place ASAP!

You should drive at a speed and in such a way that the car behind you stays in contact. This is the
Fundamental Rule of Convoy driving.

Please drive safely at all times!