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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Abbie Meehan

Edinburgh driving law changes that motorists should be aware of in 2023

A host of driving law changes will be coming into effect this month, and motorists are being urged to familiarise themselves with the updated rules.

Price rises, parking bans and possible disruption all feature on the list of issues that people could face on the roads in February. Low Emission Zones (LEZs) are already planned across the capital, but won't actually come into force until June 2024.

To help keep the people of Edinburgh in the know, Edinburgh Live have listed and explained the rules will be changing this month and what they could mean for drivers across the capital.

READ MORE - O2 Priority crashes as Beyoncé Edinburgh tickets go on presale

Petrol and diesel price hikes

The RAC has warned that petrol and diesel prices are likely to start creeping up again in February. Due to wholesale prices rising again, the RAC has told drivers that prices at the pumps could increase too.

Currently, the average price for petrol in Edinburgh is 147.7 pence per litre, with 170 pence per litre for diesel. It is unclear how much the prices will rise, but drivers are being warned to pay attention to how much fuel costs.

Driving instructor strikes

Disruption to driving lessons and tests could come as instructors and examiners go on strike from February 1 - as part of national industrial action.

It is likely to affect driving tests, which already suffer from long waiting lists. It is best to check with your local driving examination centre, or instructor, to understand the local situation.

Possible pavement parking ban

Scotland’s ban on parking on pavements and dropped kerbs are yet to be implemented because of delays caused by the pandemic.

In 2021, the then-transport secretary said that the ban will be enforced before 2023 - which suggests that it needs to happen this year.

New number plates

Although this is a law that will be enforced from March, you may see cars with 23 registration plates appear on the road.

As per the Highway Code, new cars will be registered under the 73 number plate from September.

Body cameras fitted onto driving instructors

This rule was brought into force on January 25, but February may be the first time that instructors will be seen with the body cameras.

These cameras will become an essential part of the new driving instructors uniform - to ensure their safety. Cameras will only be switched on if an examiner feels threatened or to capture inappropriate behaviour.

Following this, the footage will only be released if required to prosecute if abuse occurs. The cameras not available to be used to dispute a candidate's test result.

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