Revised road laws result in changes to licences, number plates and fuel
MOTORISTS have been warned they need to be aware of three driving law changes coming this week.
The changes will affect petrol, driving licences and number plates, says the Department for Transport.
They are aimed at helping the environment, fighting crime and resetting the licencing system back to where it was pre-Covid.
DRIVING LICENCE EXTENSION
Last year, driving licences due to expire between February 1 and December 31, 2020, were extended by the DVLA for 11 months to make it easier for drivers in the pandemic.
Licences that were due to expire in October 2020 were valid until September 2021 – which means they are now no longer valid.
Drivers who fail to renew their licence could be issued a £1,000 fine and are urged to update them
However, drivers can continue driving if they receive confirmation their application is being processed, says the DVLA.
NUMBER PLATE CHANGES
The new ‘71’ design number plates launch on new vehicles in September.
As well as new designs, new technical standards for number plates are being introduced.
The old BS AU 145d standard, which had been used since 2001, will be replaced by the new BS AU
145e plates. The new standards makes the plates more durable.
And, under the new rules, number plates can only feature solid black lettering, which makes it easier for police automatic number plate reader cameras to read them.
This means two-tone digits will not be allowed on UK number plates from this month.
However, if existing plates meet the requirements of the old standard (BSAU 145d) then they remain legal and do not need to be changed.
The new number plates will also have to include the supplier’s business address and postcode.
E10 FUEL CHANGES
E10 fuel has now been installed at petrol stations across the UK and drivers of older vehicles need to be aware.
This new petrol is made up of 10% bioethanol instead of five per cent.
It is estimated this cleaner fuel could reduce CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes per year – the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road in one go.
But cars built before 2002 are advised not to use the new petrol, which could damage key parts.
According to classic car experts Hagerty, tests from the Department for Transport showed the new fuel could corrode carburettors and damage fuel lines in older models.
Classic car owners will need to use the existing E5 fuel which is being moved to the super unleaded protection grade.
This will see fuel costs rise, with the AA predicting owners could pay £15 more to top up a 55-litre tank.
Many EU nations – including France, Germany and Finland – have already introduced E10 fuel.