10 December 2023 , 07:20
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This year has seen a number of new or amended driving laws come into force across the UK.
From ULEZ to heavy vehicles to parking on pavements, it's been a year of change for anyone finding themselves behind the wheel.
Many of the new laws carry penalties in the form of fines or points if motorists flout the rules, so it's imperative to keep them in the back of your mind as you hit the road this festive season and well into the New Year.
Here's a round-up of seven of the new laws that have come into effect on British roads in 2023.
ULEZ
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was extended to all of London's boroughs in August.
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The ULEZ was first launched by former London Mayor Boris Johnson but was officially introduced in April 2019 by current Mayor Sadiq Khan to help combat London’s poor air quality. It initially included parts of Central London, but from August it will now cover all 33 boroughs and operate for 24 hours a day.
Vehicles found to exceed the minimum emission standards could expect to pay a daily charge of £12.50, but exemptions will apply to residents parked inside these zones that don’t drive.
According to the TFL website, more than four out of five vehicles currently meet the emission standards. If your vehicle does not meet the standard of the ULEZ, then you could face a fine of £180, however, this drops to £90 if paid within 14 days.
20mph speed limit cap
From September drivers saw speed limits on all residential roads in Wales cut from 30mph to 20mph.
The Welsh Government passed a law in 2022 to introduce 20mph as the default speed limit in a bid to improve road safety in the country. Alongside this, the Welsh Government hopes to improve air quality and reduce noise pollution as well as encourage healthier lifestyles of Welsh residents.
Spain driving licence
The British driving licence is no longer considered valid for driving in Spain.
This follows an agreement between the UK and Spain on March 15 on driving licence exchange. The agreement gave UK licence holders living in Spain six months to swap their UK licence for a Spanish one without needing to take a practical or theory test.
Pavement parking ban
Some of 2023's new laws come with fines attached (Getty Images)The Scottish Government set out to ban drivers from parking on the pavement this year, and local authorities will start issuing fines from December 11. The ban sets out to tackle "inconsiderate and obstructive" parking and aims to make pavements and roads more accessible for everybody.
Anyone who fails to follow the rules and parks their vehicle on the pavement, blocking the way for wheelchairs and prams, will be given 14 days to pay an original fine of £50.
Parking on pavements is already punishable if it causes an obstruction, and is included in the Highway Code. In particular, a parking ban is already in place across 32 London boroughs and the city under the Greater London (General Purposes) Act 1974.
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If someone is caught parking on the pavement, they can be charged with “unnecessary obstruction of any part of the highway” with drivers receiving a £70 fine.
HGV levy payment
Beginning in August, all Heavy goods vehicles weighing over 12 tonnes now need to pay a levy cost for the wear and tear on the roads. Specifically, the new Levy applies to "main roads" which the Government says includes those that start with "A" or "M" - eg the A2 or the M20.
The Levy is slightly different to the previous one as vehicles are now charged based on emissions and weight. Previously, the Levy paid varied according to weight and number of axles - this was the EU's standard. Rates vary from between £150 to £749 per vehicle, per year.
For vehicles registered in the UK, the Levy must be paid either annually or every six months and it will also need to be paid alongside vehicle excise duty (VED).
Highway Code changes
Changes made to the Highway Code this year include:
- The legislation making it clear that drivers caught using or even holding their phones will receive a fine of up to £200 and six points on their licence.
- It is now completely illegal for those who are driving to hold or use their mobile phones, sat navs, tablets and any other devices that can send and receive data.
- The 'Waiting and parking' section of The Highway Code has also been updated to describe the 'Dutch Reach', which suggests you should open your door using your hand on the opposite side to the door you're opening.
- Drivers who run out of fuel and obstruct traffic were recently warned they could be slapped with a £100 fine and points on their licence.
- Drivers are now meant to stop and wait for a safe gap when cyclists are approaching, whether using a cycle lane or the regular road.
- Electric car owners also risk being caught out if their battery runs flat and they block a road.
- Drivers were also told last month they risk fines of up to £10,000 and 12 penalty points on their licence - and thus a road ban - unless they check their tyres are legally roadworthy.
- Motorists must also remember that the Highway Code clearly states that objects must not block any view of the road, as the windscreen has to be kept free from any obstructions to vision.
- There is also updated guidance on safe passing distances and speeds for people driving a motored vehicle when overtaking vulnerable road users.