Motorists are being warned of a number of massive driving law changes which were introduced this year which could catch them out and see them fined or removed from roads.
Huge changes were unveiled this year to deal with dangerous driving, high pollution levels and even to address the price of petrol and diesel at the pumps.
While the Government has launched the “Plan for Drivers” to protect Britons from anti-motorist policies, new laws are constantly being introduced to crack down on the 50 million licence holders across the UK.
GB News has rounded up the most important driving law changes introduced in the last 12 months that motorists need to know about.
Many new driving laws were introduced this year
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Ultra Low Emission Zone
Sadiq Khan followed through with this controversial decision to extend the Ultra Low Emission Zone on August 29 with non-compliant vehicles being required to pay the £12.50 daily charge.
The zone was expanded to cover all boroughs across the capital, bordering the North Circular Road (A406) and the South Circular Road (A205), meaning an extra five million people are now living inside the zone.
To ease the pressure on motorists, Transport for London’s scrappage scheme was extended to all Londoners with a non-ULEZ-compliant car, meaning they were eligible for a £2,000 grant.
Since the rollout, thousands of angry Londoners have protested the expansion with a handful taking extreme measures to cut down or block Ulez cameras, with the so-called “blade runners” gaining huge levels of support.
In a recent incident, counter-terrorism police arrested two men on suspicion of using explosives to blow up a Ulez camera in Sidcup which also caused damage to nearby vehicles and properties.
There are hopes the Government will extend the fuel duty cut in 2024
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The new limits apply to restricted roads
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Two new Clean Air Zones were introduced this year
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Clean Air Zones
The start of the year saw the launch of the Tyneside Clean Air Zone with drivers in Newcastle and Gateshead seeing new measures introduced to slash emissions on January 30, although charges were not introduced until July.
Sheffield was the next target for a Clean Air Zone at the end of February with the most polluting vans, LGVs and taxis being charged £10 per day and owners of coaches, buses, lorries and HGVs having to pay £50 a day to drive inside the zone.
The first of four Low Emission Zones in Scotland launched in June with non-compliant drivers being charged £60 to drive into Glasgow city centre.
If paid quickly, the fine will be cut to £30, but if someone fails to pay, the penalty charge amount will double each time, with charges capped at £480 for cars and LGVs and £960 for buses and HGVs.
The new number plate changes aim to boost car sales
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Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
