A raft of new driving laws and rules have been announced over the last few years and some are set to come into play throughout the rest of 2023.
The new rules include things like changes to pavement parking, new speed restrictions and new clean air zones in UK cities.
Some of the measures are nationwide, however, some are area specific.
If you break some of these new rules, motorists could find themselves slapped with a potential fine of up to £180 - so it is important that you take note and are aware of the changes.
Some of the changes have already come into force.
Pavement parking ban
Pavement parking is set to be banned in Scotland this year after Government action on the issue was delayed as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Scotland originally announced its intention to ban pavement parking and dropped kerbs in 2019, with former Transport Secretary Michael Matheson, saying a ban would not be enforced before 2023.
Although an official date has not yet been announced.
Parking on pavements is already punishable if it causes an obstruction, and is included in the Highway Code - specifically, it is already in place in London under the Greater London (General Purposes) Act 1974.
The rule enforces the pavement parking ban through the 32 London boroughs and the City of London, unless there is a sign there that specifically permits it.
If someone is caught parking on the pavement by the police, they could be charged with “unnecessary obstruction of any part of the highway” with drivers receiving £70 fines if the rule is broken.
There are different rules for different parts of the country, and local authorities can restrict pavement parking on individual streets, or by area, by making a traffic regulation order (TRO).
20mph speed limits cap
From September 17, 2023, drivers will see speed limits on all residential roads in Wales being cut from 30mph to 20mph.
Local authorities have started to implement the changes by adjusting the current and introducing new signage from March and it will be completed in September.
Some roads will be exempt from the change with some 30mph sections of arterial roads like Fabian Way, Oystermouth Road and Carmarthen Road being some of them.
The Welsh Government passed a law in 2022 to introduce 20mph as the default speed limit in a bid to improve road safety in the country.
Alongside this, the Welsh Government hopes to improve air quality and reduce noise pollution as well as encourage healthier lifestyles of Welsh residents,
One report by the Welsh government said: "We know from previous studies that 20mph encourages more walking and cycling and in doing so improves cardiorespiratory health, as well as reducing stress and anxiety, thereby improving mental health.
"With more walking and cycling comes less car use, improving air quality and therefore improving health.”
ULEZ
From August 29, 2023, London’s preexisting Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will extend to all of LLondon's boroughs.
The ULEZ was first introduced in April 2019 to help combat London’s poor air quality and initially included parts of Central London, but from August it will now cover all 33 boroughs and operate for 24 hours a day.
Vehicles found to exceed the minimum emission standards could expect to pay a daily charge of £12.50, but exemptions will apply to residents parked inside these zones that don’t drive.
According to the TFL website, more than four out of five vehicles currently meet the emission standards.
If your vehicle does not meet the standard of the ULEZ, then you could face a fine of £180, however, this drops to £90 if paid within 14 days.
Clean Air Zones
London is not the only city introducing these clean air zones, with Manchester, Tyneside and Sheffield all launching, or have already launched new emissions zones.
Tyneside, covering Newcastle and Gateshead, started to introduce charges for vehicles that exceed emission standards In January after launching the clean air zone in October last year.
Sheffield has implemented a Class C clean air zone as of February 27, 2023, which will involve buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans and minibuses.
Sheffield charges between £10 and £50 per day for their clean air zone.
Glasgow is also set to tighten restrictions for its Low Emission Zones to include all vehicles.
From June 1, 2023, non-compliant vehicles entering this zone could face a fine of £60 and exemptions will apply to residents within these zones up until June 2024.
Aberdeen and Dundee also has plans however these won't be introduced until next year.
Number plate changes
This one happens every year and is not really a rule change, but the UK will get two new number plates in 2023 for newly-registered cars.
From March, new cars will be registered under the “23” number plate, and in September, the “73” plate will be introduced.
