New UK Driving Laws

[boycott]

This maybe of interest of those that go back to the UK and drive.

Motoring law changes all the time, but in 2018 there are some pretty big changes afoot. Here are six new changes to the law that will affect each and every one of us, so read up to ensure you stay on the right side of the rules…
New MoT legislation
There are new MoT changes that come into force on May 20th, which introduce new testable items.

From this date, any diesel car that has had its DPF removed or tampered with will instantly fail the test, while aftermarket high definition headlamp bulbs will also be outlawed.

Reversing lights will be tested for the first time, and your car will also fail if the brake fluid is visually deteriorated.

Classic cars over 40 years old will now be exempt from testing, too.

Finally, the current system of advisories will be replaced with minor, major and dangerous faults. Minor faults will work the same as the current advisory system and won’t constitute a fail. A car with dangerous faults cannot be driven away from the test until the repairs have been carried out.
Learner drivers to be allowed on motorways
Starting this year, learners will be allowed on motorways for the first time, though motorway driving won’t form part of the test as there are some regions of the country where this will be impractical, such as Western Wales and the Scottish Highlands.

All instructors will be encouraged to give drivers some motorway training, you can read more on this here.
Penalties for misusing motorways
New ANPR-based (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras will be introduced on major motorways to monitor misuse of the hard shoulder. If a driver uses the hard shoulder on a managed motorway when it isn’t open, or drives in a lane with a red ‘X’ above it, the cameras will automatically trigger a penalty, which includes a £100 fine and three points on your driving licence. Keep an eye on those gantry signs to avoid an unpleasant surprise…

Changes to the driving test
As well as the independent driving element of the current test, where the examiner gives no instructions for 10 minutes, the new test laws will include a section where delegates are expected to follow instructions from a sat nav unit to prove they can follow the directions safely.

The test will also include a section where the driver is asked to demonstrate a function of the car, such as how the windscreen wipers work, or how to demist the windscreen.

Reversing into a car park bay is now also part of the test.
Tax rises for diesel cars
First year road tax for all diesel cars that aren’t compliant with the Euro 6 emissions standard will rise by one tax bracket from April 1st, with rates to increase by anything from £20 to £560 in the first year depending on the model and its current emissions.

Unsurprisingly, the government hasn’t publicised this one very much!

Children’s car seats
Rules around child car seat safety have changes significantly.

You can now no longer buy new backless booster seats for children weighing less than 22kg, or shorter than 125cm, with high back seats featuring guides to lower the level of the seatbelt in line with the passenger’s shoulders.

In addition, all children below 15 months old must now travel in a backwards-facing car seat.

All children must use a child car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first. Children over 12 or more than 135cm tall must wear a seatbelt, and should not travel in the front of the car unless no other seat is available.

Details taken from https://www.carkeys.co.uk/news/these-ar ... CT+IN+2018

[trevnhil]

All the new rules / laws are interesting. But this one will take a bit of getting used to..
"All children must use a child car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first. ".

[Ramone]

Very interesting, My brother in the UK has 3 kids between the ages of 5 & 11.
I need to get hold of him and find out he is going to manage that one ??

[exodus]

Will Cyprus ever catch UK up on all this?
Amos.

[boycott]

Amos yes it will, good old EU will make sure of that AND the insurance companies will insist on these standards or no payout!

[trevnhil]

I thought driving laws were for each country to decide. I didn't think the EU came into it.

[boycott]

Trev that maybe right however such things as vehicle fittings like quality/standard of lights and emmisions etc. the standard is decreed by the EU with the car manufactures so Cyprus will have no option but to comply.

[WHL]

All the new rules / laws are interesting. But this one will take a bit of getting used to..
"All children must use a child car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first. ".

Im all for babies and young children using seats, but up to 12?...good luck with that one

[boycott]

No HIC I would not care to provide of what in your words is opinionated nonsense!

Would you care to provide a link of your opinionated nonsense of it was always a case of the UK embellishing EU laws and not the other way round.

[Kili01]

Well obviously these changes in the motoring laws wll be applicable in the UK which normally seems to enforce its edicts quite firmly. Personally anyone living here who has a car in the UK , as I do will be glad that Boycott has posted this information. I am just glad that my old car isn’t a diesel and it will be MOT’d and reinsured before May. My nephew has 3 chldren under 12 so the changes in the law may affect him.

We all know that Cyprus tends to make up its own mind about which EU laws it will actually enforce and even so, it may also depend on who you are and/or who you are related to...

Dee

[Poppy]

Woops!! Thank goodness that at the grand old age of 68 I will not have to sit in a child seat as I am just 4 inches taller than the dictate!! I would imagine that there are very few 10 - 12 year old that this will apply to as most are much taller than me!!