Are you driving legally? During 2017 several new driving and road laws have been introduced in the UK; but not all drivers will be aware of the changes.
Whether you drive for work or not, all drivers should be aware of the rules of the road. Failing to adhere to the law can be dangerous, and costly.
Here’s a roundup of recent legal changes in the UK that drivers might not be aware of:
London T-Charge
What is it?
A new £10 Toxicity Charge (T-Charge) that operates on top of the £11.50 Congestion Charge (C-Charge). It is described as the “world’s toughest emission charge”.
When did it come into force?
23 October 2017
What does it mean for drivers?
Drivers of older, more polluting petrol and diesel vehicles will pay the new T-Charge plus the C-Charge. That’s a total of £21.50 (£10 T-Charge and £11.50 C-Charge) every weekday they drive in the zone from 7am-6pm.
What else do drivers need to know?
Up to 34,000 polluting vehicles every month could be liable for the T-Charge, which affects those that do not meet the Euro 4 standards for both PM and NOx emissions
Pre-Euro 4 vehicles are typically those registered before 2006 that are approximately over 12 years old, but Transport for London (TfL) advises anyone who has a car registered before 2008 to check if their vehicle is eligible for the charge. There is a free online vehicle checker on the TfL website www.tfl.gov.uk/t-charge.
Speeding Penalties
What is it?
Tougher punishments for speeding offences in England and Wales, introduced by the Sentencing Council.
When did it come into force?
24 April 2017
What does it mean for drivers?
Fines are now divided into three bands – A, B and C – which correspond to how serious the speeding offence is. Drivers caught at speeds up to 10 mph over the limit are classed as band A, with band B fines relating to offences where motorists were caught at speeds 11-21 mph over the limit. The most serious category, band C, applies to drivers caught exceeding the speed limit by more than 21 mph.
Band C offenders now face fines between 125-175% of their weekly wage. They can also still be banned from driving for up to 56 days or get six points on their driving licence.
Band B offenders can expect fines between 75-125% of their weekly wage while Band A offenders are liable for fines between 25-75% of their weekly wage.
What else do drivers need to know?
The minimum fine of £100 and three points remains the same, as does the maximum cap of £2,500.
Magistrates also have the power to adjust the punishment based on a range of factors including whether the offender has previous convictions.
Car Tax Changes
What is it?
New vehicle tax rates for all cars and motorhomes first registered on or after 1 April 2017.
When did it come into force?
Tax rates changed on 1 April 2017.
What does it mean for drivers?
When the first vehicle tax period has ended (either after 12 months or if the vehicle is sold or transferred within the first 12 months), the amount of tax that needs to be paid depends on the type of vehicle. The rates are:
• £140 a year for petrol or diesel vehicles
• £130 a year for alternative fuel vehicles (hybrids, bioethanol and LPG)
• £0 a year for vehicles with zero CO2 emissions
If a vehicle has an original list price (the published price before any discounts) of more than £40,000, the rate of tax is based on CO2 for the first time it is taxed.
When the first vehicle tax period has ended (after 12 months or if the vehicle is sold or transferred), the rate that needs to be paid depends on the type of vehicle (petrol, diesel, alternative fuel or zero emissions) plus an additional rate of £310 a year for the next five years. After the five-year period, the vehicle will be taxed at one of the standard rates (£140, £130 or £0). These rates still apply if the vehicle is acquired by a new owner within the five-year period.
What else do drivers need to know?
Although the changes do not affect cars registered before 1 April 2017, their rate of tax increased on 1 April 2017, in line with the Retail Price Index.
Increased penalties for using mobile phones while driving
What is it?
New measures that double penalties for drivers caught using their mobile phones at the wheel, introduced across England, Scotland and Wales.
When did it come into force?
1 March 2017
What does it mean for drivers?
Motorists caught using a phone while driving will now receive six points on their licence and a £200 fine, up from the previous three points and £100. Drivers caught using their mobile phone twice or accruing 12 points on their licence will face Magistrates’ Court, being disqualified and fines of up to £1,000.
What else do drivers need to know?
New drivers, caught using a phone within two years of passing their test, risk having their licence revoked. Lorry or bus drivers can be suspended if caught.
Changes to child car seat laws
What is it?
Manufacturers are no longer able to introduce new models of backless booster seats or booster cushions for children shorter than 125cm or weighing less than 22kg.
When did it come into force?
February 2017
What does it mean for drivers?
The new regulations apply to manufacturers, so the change doesn’t affect existing models of child car seats or booster cushions. However, the fact that the law now prevents the introduction of backless booster seats confirms that choosing a high-backed booster seat can offer more protection to children in a crash. Experts recommend high-backed booster seats for children aged 4-12 (group2/3) as offering a safer alternative to a backless booster seat until children reach 125cm tall or 22kg.
What else do drivers need to know?
The law requires all children travelling in the front or rear seat of any car, van or goods vehicle to be seated in the correct child car seat until they are either 135cm in height or 12 years old (whichever they reach first). After this they must use an adult seatbelt.
Read RoSPA’s Child Car Seats guide for advice on choosing the right child car seat.
