That classic ice cream van tune feels like it goes on for ages, but it turns out it’s shorter than you think
The cheery chimes of an ice cream van are pure summer, sending kids flying to the door and adults for a 99. But those familiar jingles are meant to follow a little-known rule that puts a tight limit on how long they can play.
Such restrictions have been around for years, yet many have never heard of it before. Yet it’s only one part of a wider set of restrictive rules vendors must follow.
The government ’s aim is to cut down on noise nuisance while still letting traders do business. The catch is the guidance gets weirdly precise, as if drivers need a stopwatch alongside the scoops and sauce bottles.
At the heart of it is the so-called “12-second rule”, which says the chimes shouldn’t run for more than 12 seconds in one go. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) also recommends timed cut-off devices where possible to stop the jingle going on too long.
It’s not just the length that’s restricted either, because the tune should not be played more than once every two minutes. The guidance also says chimes should be used once when approaching a selling point and once while the van is stopped.
There are extra limits for places where noise could cause real problems. Ice cream vans shouldn’t sound their chimes within 50 metres of schools during school hours, hospitals, or places of worship on recognised days of worship.
Timing matters too, with advice saying chimes should not be played before noon or after 7pm. Operators are also advised not to use them more than once every two hours in the same stretch of street, or when another ice cream van is already trading nearby.
The government still publishes the code of practice that covers ice cream van loudspeakers. The code doesn’t create brand-new offences on its own, but it can help councils and courts when dealing with complaints and enforcement under existing laws.
So while plenty of people have never heard of the 12-second rule, it’s one of the best-known parts of the official guidance. Next time you hear that familiar tune drifting down your road, it could be over quicker than you think.