Motorists are being urged to know the changes to driving rules coming into force next year.
This year has already seen several changes to the rules of the road, from speed limits to clean air zones. The ECHO previously reported that changes included a tightening of the laws around mobile phone use when behind the wheel, making it illegal to use a phone under any circumstances while driving.
But there are more changes to come in 2023. A series of driving laws and rules will affect millions of drivers, including changes to fuel duty and parking, HullLive reports.
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Manufacturers are also making changes, with all new cars now being fitted with speed limiters. Here are the law changes that we will see in 2023.
Fuel duty
In March 2022, fuel duty rates were reduced by 5p per litre for 12 months. That means the "temporary" cut is due to end on March 23, 2023. The Office for Budget Responsibility suggested it could rise by 12p, however the Treasury insisted no decision had been made.
New licence plates
Every year, the UK introduces a new set of number plates and 2023 will not be different. In March you may be able to see a 23 registration plate number on the roads, and in September new cars will be registered under the '73' plate.
Pavement parking
A huge change is due to come into force in a part of the UK in 2023, with Scotland set to ban drivers from parking on dropped kerbs and pavements. A ban already exists in London and there is much speculation that it could be extended to the rest of England in the coming years.
Heavy goods vehicles levy payment
From August 2023, all HGVs weighing over 12 tonnes will pay a levy to cover for damage done to the roads. The measure was originally imposed in 2014 but had been suspended during Covid.
Ultra Low Emission Scheme extended
For those planning a trip into London, the "ULEZ" zone will expand to all 33 boroughs of the capital in August 29 2023, meaning cars that do not meet low emission standards will have to pay a £12.50 charge every time the pass through the zone. Similar zones exist in Brighton and Birmingham, with Dundee, Aberdeen and Edinburgh set to follow.
Recent rule changes
Several new laws and rules were announced or came into force in 2022, but some are little-known by drivers. They include:
- Speed limiters: New cars will be supplied with a speed limiter, however this will not override the motorist's responsibility to drive within the speed limit.
- Mobile phone use: Drivers should never hold and use a phone, tablet or sat-nav for any reason while driving or riding a motorcycle, even if stationary at traffic lights or in a queue. Exceptions include when calling 999, when safely parked, or when using a phone to pay while in a drive-thru queue.
- Electric car tax: Electric car owners will no longer be exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty in the UK. The change will take place in April 2025 - after half of all new vehicles are forecasted to be electric.
- Benefit in kind: For petrol cars the BiK rate has risen from 13 percent to 25 percent since 2013. The Government has announced the rate will now stay at the same level until 2025.
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