Earn about the new rules of

GEAR UP FOR CHANGES THAT OVERTAKING, NEW DRIVERS &

MILLIONS of us rely on our cars to get about every day, so any changes to the laws of the road will have a significant impact.

This year several new regulations will be brought in for road users in the UK, which will affect its 48 million drivers. These include plans to clamp down on learner drivers who fail to adhere to the Highway Code, as well as one on overtaking cyclists.

We’ve pulled together some of the main changes to laws and regulations, which will come into force this year:

OVERTAKING CYCLISTS

Motorists could be fined for not leaving enough space between a vehicle and a bike

The Highway Code’s insistence cars should leave a decent distance between them and cyclists when passing (1.5m) is now being strengthened by fines.

Following law changes in March, motorists could be fined for not leaving enough space between a vehicle and a bike.

Failure to do so could land you with a £100 fine and three points on your licence.

Police forces across the country are being encouraged to penalise those who drive dangerously close to cyclists.

LEARNER DRIVERS ON THE MOTORWAY

Before motorists were only allowed on the motorway once they had passed their full driving test. But they are now allowed to get on the country’s largest and busiest roads as part of their lessons, as long as they have a qualified instructor who has dual controls in the car.

It is to give them a better feel for driving on the carriageways, but is not yet compulsory.

MOT RULES

There are new categories for defects with cars which drivers will have to understand, which are:

■ Dangerous – Direct risk to road safety or the environment. Results in a Fail.

■ Major – Could affect safety or the environment. Results in a Fail.

■ Minor – No effect on safety, but should be repaired as soon as possible.

■ Advisory – Could have an effect in future.

■ Pass – Meets the current legal standards.

A variety of new requirements are also being included in the MoT for the first time. These checks include:

■ Underinflated tyres

■ Contaminated brake fluid

■ Brake pad warning lights and missing brake pads or discs

■ Reversing lights (for vehicles newer than September 2009)

■ Daytime running lights (for vehicles newer than March 2018)

Some things won’t change though – the government considered lengthening the wait for a vehicle’s first MOT from three to four years, but it will now remain unchanged.

DIESEL CAR TAX INCREASING

The Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for diesel cars was increased last year.

Instead of being fixed at £140 per year, VED rates will now be calculated based on the car’s carbon dioxide emissions.

Those that emit the more environmentally-friendly 111 to 130g/km will only see their tax go up by £40.