Upon leaving the European Union, a range of laws can be expected to change for the UK. From tightening the laws on driving outside of the UK to the laws in place for using your mobile phone while driving, we can expect at least 8 new laws for driving to be put in place this year to reduce hazards on the roads.
Here are the changes that will have an effect on drivers in the UK.
Penalties for the use of a mobile phone to be toughened
Previously the laws on using your mobile phone while behind the wheel were a little hazy, and a high volume of drivers were pointing out loopholes. The earlier legislation stated that in order to be in breach of the law, the driver would be interactive on their device – meaning that taking photos, changing a song or using your sat-nav has only just been introduced as an offence in 2021.
To be clear, whether you are moving the vehicle or in stationary traffic, just holding your phone can earn you a £200 fine as well as 6 penalty points on your driving licence. For drivers within the first two years of passing their driving test, this would be enough to lose it.
Changes to international travel
Presently, you can drive your vehicle to other countries within the EU. However, since Brexit came into place, you will now be required to acquire a green card from your insurance provider. You will also need to carry your driving licence with you and place a GB sticker on your registration plate.
You will most likely be charged an administration fee by your insurance provider when making a request for a green card, which will then be sent to you in the post – the recommendation is to order this as far in advance as possible, leaving at least a 1-month window for it to arrive.
Should your insurance provider offer to send your green card to you via email, you will need to ensure that it is printed double sided in colour and that there are no white edges visible.
If your car is hired or leased, you will need a VE103 form which proves you have been allowed to take the car outside of the UK.
Low Emission Zone postponement
If you are driving a vehicle that is classed as having high emissions, and you enter a Low Emission Zone (LEZ), or a Clean Air Zone (CAZ), you will incur a charge to enter. Generally, this will apply to diesel cars built before 2015, and petrol cars built before 2006. Electric cars, cars with zero emissions & a selection of hybrid vehicles do not ned to pay in Low Emission Zones as they do not produce high pollution.
There were plans for 2020 to introduce further Low Emission Zones, however the Coronavirus Pandemic has delayed these plans being implemented until 2021-2022. Here is what we can expect from these changes:
Areas that will introduce Low Emission Zones
- London – London will extend its LEZ to an ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) which will cover a larger area between the North Circular Road (A406) and the South Circular Road (A205)
- Birmingham
- Oxford
- Bristol
- Scotland – Scotland have proposed LEZs for Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Entering a LEZ
You can enter the zone and avoid charge if you are in any of the following vehicles.
- A moped or motorcycle
- A minimum standard Euro 6 diesel vehicle
- A minimum standard Euro 4 petrol vehilce
- An electric or hydrogen vehicle with zero emissions
- A vehicle with low emissions
Make sure to double check your routes before travelling, if you travel through one of these Zones with a high emission vehicle and you do not pay the fee, you may receive a PCN (Penalty Charge Notice).
Zero emission vehicles to have green registration plates
The new number plates will show a green stripe or flash on the left-hand side – electric vehicles or zero emission vehicles will have these number plates with the objective of encouraging more road users to follow suit.
Vehicles with a green number plate will be eligible to benefit from free entry in Low Emission Zones, as well as discounted parking.
A modern, cleaner E10 petrol is set to be introduced by the end of 2021
Currently the UK uses petrol which consists of 5% ethanol. E10 fuel means that the ethanol content will increase to 10% and is predicted to have the same effect as taking as many as 350,000 vehicles off of the roads!
Countries such as Belgium, France and Germany are already using E10 fuel so the UK is slightly behind, however this change aims to assist in meeting our target of zero emissions by 2050.
For those who own classic cars, or most vehicles registered before 2002, sadly it does not appear that the E10 fuel will be suitable – which is estimated to affect up to 600,000 vehicles in the UK once it is launched.
No further extensions on MOTs
In 2020, road users that had an MOT due between 31st March and 31st July were eligible to for an extension, meaning they would have a further 6 months to arrange this due to the coronavirus pandemic. For example, if your MOT was due to expire on the 31st July 2020, you automatically have until the 31st January 2021 to arrange your vehicle’s next MOT.
If your MOT was due after 31st July 2020, this would mean that no changes were made regarding your MOT certificate, and there have currently been no further plans of extending MOTs further moving forwards.
Automatic Lane Keeping Systems approved
In June 2020, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe approved Automatic Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS), resulting in cars being automatically kept in lanes at lower speeds.
It is estimated that this system will be implemented in Spring 2021 however this is subject to change dependent on the evidence that is collected.
By keeping a vehicle at a lower speed and in lane on the motorways, as well as controlling the movements for extended periods, the aim is to offer road users a more secure, consistent and straightforward experience when driving. Although it will be a useful tool to have alongside, drivers must remain switched on and ready to take control back at any point.
Mandatory speed limiters in cars produced from 2022
Most newer cars built at the moment will have a display of the speed limit for the road that they’re on – technology however has now made it possible for your car to implement a reduced speed if you are driving over the limit.
By using an intelligent speed assistant system, you will receive an alert if you are driving above the speed limit and given the opportunity to rectify this. Should you choose to continue to drive above the speed limit, the speed assistant system will then intervene and safely lower the speed that the vehicle is moving.
If you are overtaking or in another scenario which allows you to perform the speed that you are driving, the speed limiter should be overridden allowing you to perform this manoeuvre safely.
GPS systems and video will both be dominant features of the speed limiter by detecting speed limits and notifying the driver of the vehicle accordingly, as well as detection software to identify other road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.
