Motorists to face new driving laws in February (Image: Getty)
Motorists could be affected by a range of new in February with new traffic rules and penalties added.
The introduction of pavement parking rules in a major UK city just days ago is also likely to cause havoc over the next four weeks.
A range of consultations are also set to close involving major and test updates.
A survey looking into the future of the UK’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate rules is also set to close shortly.
Express.co.uk looks over all of the biggest changes coming into effect over this month.
Driving licence freedoms could be extended for many road users (Image: Getty)
Driving licences
The Department for Transport could confirm a major driving licence extension in February after a short consultation period ended just weeks ago.
there would be support for an additional 18-month extension to the Ukrainian licence exchange,
This allows Ukrainian driving licence holders to be tired of holding a GB photocard before residents secure a new licence.
The policy will increase the overall time Ukrainians can use their own photocard to 54 weeks with an announcement on the new rule expected at any time.
ZEV Mandate
looking into the future of the and Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate rules will also close in February.
could achieve its goal of ending the sale of combustion models by 2030 with the survey due to close on 18 February. Chiefs have also asked whether there should be further “flexibilities within the ZEV mandate” to help car manufacturers.
The rule states that firms must build and sell a certain amount of electric vehicles with the current target set at 28% of all production.
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DVSA new test booking system
The DVSA is also asking for responses centred around booking car driving tests. It comes after the DVSA has introduced a range of features to help road users.
Driving tests can be moved from one location or date to another for the same learner driver up to six times. Driving test appointments can also be swapped between learner drivers.
DVSA has promised to analyse the evidence and develop proposals to improve the rules when the consultation ends. This will include a public consultation on the proposed rule changes before updating the law to reflect any changes.
New traffic offences
The Government has introduced for driver offender retraining courses after a consultation. An extra 13 fixed penalty offences will be added to the Road Traffic Offender Act 1988 (RTOA 1988).
This includes everything from “Using a vehicle or cycle in the dark with no lights in a Royal Park” to “Failing to stop at a school crossing patrol’.
The new updates will be included in the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS) Regulations.
New parking rules are set to be introduced (Image: Getty)
Pavement parking
Scotland has extended its pavement parking legislation on the kerb from the end of January. Motorists can now be fined for stopping in the wrong place in a major Scottish city from 29 January.
It means most road users will be unaware of the changes heading into February which could see penalty notices dramatically rise.
Parking fines
has confirmed that a new Private Parking Scrutiny and Advice Panel (PPSAP) will oversee the new Code of Practice.
However, the board is already set to make a change with motorists to be handed more leeway when paying for their parking tickets.
The BPA said: “The panel’s first major action will be a revision to the Code that protects genuine motorists who have difficulty making prompt payment on entry. This urgent reform is aimed at ensuring fairness for motorists and will come into effect by February 2025.”