Three driving changes coming this September - including lower speed limits
Motorists will need to be aware of a few driving changes which are coming in throughout September.
Some of these changes are nationwide, however, some are area-specific and if you do not know the new rules, you could find yourself slapped with a potential fine so it is important that you take note. The changes coming in this month include vital changes to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) number plates, driving licence updates for Brits living abroad, and major speed limit changes.
Here are the three major changes coming in throughout this month - and everything you need to know about them.
Number plate changes - September 1
This one happens every year and is not really a driving law change, but the UK will get two new number plates in 2023 for newly-registered cars. From March, new cars will be registered under the “23” number plate, and in September, the “73” plate will be introduced.
Spain driving licence - September 15
UK driving licence holders living in Spain have until September 15 to exchange their licence for a Spanish one. After this date, the British driving licence will not be considered valid for driving in Spain.
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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.
For those arriving in Spain after March 15, the agreement gave them six months from the date they got their residency documents to exchange their UK licence. So if you received your documents on April 15 then you have until October to exchange your UK driver's licence.
However, their UK licence will still be invalid for driving in the country you will need to wait until your licence exchange has been completed to be able to drive. The Government has confirmed that drivers cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of a Spanish licence. You can find out you can swap your UK licence for a Spanish one on the GOV.UK website here.
20mph speed limit - September 17
Wales will introduce their nationwide 20mph speed limit rules in a little over two weeks. From September 17, 2023, drivers will see speed limits on all residential roads in Wales being cut from 30mph to 20mph.
The new law makes Wales the first nation to impose 20mph as the default on all restricted roads and it was passed by the Welsh Parliament in July 2022.
Local authorities started implementing the changes in March this year by adjusting the current and introducing new signage across its roads. Some roads will be exempt from the change with some 30mph sections of arterial roads like Fabian Way, Oystermouth Road and Carmarthen Road being some of them.
The Welsh Government passed a law 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.
The Welsh Government has said drivers will be given time to adjust to the change, but after this period you may be hit with a fine if you are caught speeding. Currently, the minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and three points added to your licence.
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