Travel

Driving law changes introduced recently could impact British motorists – Licences, fuel offers and more

British motorists are being warned of new driving law changes that have been introduced over the past four weeks that could impact how they travel.

New rules were introduced for HGV drivers, expats and owners of petrol and diesel cars, with further law changes set to be rolled out in March.


In addition to new number plate rules, the UK will also see the rollout of the Budget, where Chancellor Jeremy Hunt could unveil a handful of changes affecting motorists.

GB News has rounded up the most important new driving law changes introduced recently that you need to be aware of.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk

Busy traffic

A number of new changes were introduced in February

GETTY

HGV rules

New laws were introduced on February 21 to ensure that all “in-scope vehicles” be fitted with either a full or transitional second-generation smart tachograph.

The term “in-scope vehicles” includes heavy goods vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes and passenger vehicles with 10 or more seats.

The new tachographs allow data to be taken more easily and shared with their employer if they are part of a fleet, with the European Commission saying drivers can use interconnected services to use other apps like smart parking or pay-as-you-drive.

Tesco Clubcard

The Clubcard double points offer was launched at the start of January

PA

Tesco Clubcard

The major supermarket launched an offer in January to help customers at supermarkets and filling stations benefit from double points on their Clubcard.

Drivers were able to benefit from the scheme for seven weeks until February 25. They were able to collect one point for every two litres of fuel they purchased.

Motorists visiting Esso petrol stations with a Tesco Express attached were required to spend £3 on fuel to collect one point.

International Driving Permit

Motorists do not need an International Driving Permit to travel in Latvia

PA

Expat driving licence rules

Rules were updated earlier this month instructing expats living in Latvia that they are able to use their valid UK driving licence until it expires.

For Britons residing in Latvia, they are also able to exchange their licence without having to take a test.

However, motorists cannot renew or replace their UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence if they live permanently in Latvia.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

SUV Paris parking vote

Parisians voted in favour of stronger parking rules for SUVs

REUTERS

SUV parking vote

Parisian voters took part in a referendum on February 4 and backed measures to introduce new parking charges for owners of SUVs or 4x4s.

The cost of on-street parking for larger vehicles will rise to €18 (£15.40) an hour for the centre of the city and €12 (£10.27) an hour across the rest of the city.

Anne Hidalgo, Socialist Mayor of Paris, said the vote was a form of “social justice”, adding: “This is about very expensive cars, driven by people who today have not yet made the changes to their behaviour that have to be made [for the climate].”

Many experts and industry leaders have now called on the UK to introduce a similar vote to crack down on “autobesity”.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *