New driving laws and rules you need to know for 2024

The automotive industry plays a vital role in the UK’s economy. The governing bodies work on various plans throughout the year so that the auto industry can keep making progress. From reducing CO2 emissions to supporting technological advancements, various laws and rules are being planned and implemented each year that may affect you.
Here’s our round-up of what’s coming up in 2024:

From 1 January 2024 onwards, car manufacturers will need at least 22% of their car sales and 10% of their van sales to be fully electric under the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate which aims at increasing the sale of electric vehicles to help reduce emissions. The government plans to increase this percentage of electric vehicles sold over time so that by 2030, at least 80% of the cars sold are electric, and by 2035, all cars sold in the UK produce zero emissions to stay in line with their ban on the sale of diesel and petrol cars by 2023.
Car makers who fail to hit this target in 2024 will be fined £15,000 per car and £9,000 per van short of the target . This may mean increasing the number of options available for electric cars in the market by manufacturers to entice buyers, as well as better deals in the new year to stay on target.

2. DVSA eyesight test changes

As part of the DVSA’s plan for 2024, the eyesight test during a driving test might see some changes. Currently, if you can read a number plate from 20 metres away, you pass the eyesight test. This method of testing your eyesight might change in the future. The DVSA is consulting a Medical Panel on how the testing procedure should look, as well as asking drivers and experts on better ways to conduct the test.
The DVSA say that they are looking to change the testing method to make it more flexible, as well as to test the driver’s eyesight under different levels of light.

To reduce the number of deaths and injuries on London roads, Transport for London (TfL) has announced its plan to introduce a Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and safety permit scheme that mandates heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) to have a safety permit before entering most parts of Greater London. TfL assigns a star rating to vehicles based on the DVS which measures how much of the road and surroundings can the driver see through their cab windows to ensure that the other road users are visible and safe.
From 28 October 2024 onwards, all lorries over 12 tonnes must have a three-star rating or fit a progressive Safe System in the vehicle to make it safer, and keep driving and operating in Greater London. Failure to meet the new requirements will result in the drivers getting a Penalty Charge Notice (PNC). HGVs are also required to hold a safety permit before entering and using the areas covered by the HGV safety permit scheme. You can apply for the permit for free. Find out which areas of Greater London are covered under this scheme here.

Fuel duty has been frozen since January 2011 to prevent its rise with inflation. The basic rate on diesel and petrol has been 52.95 pence per litre (ppl) as per the Office for Budget Responsibility which includes the 5 ppl cut the government has granted till the end of March 2024 to help with the cost of living crisis.
In Spring Budget 2024, we will find out more about what the government plans to do with the fuel duty freeze and the 5 ppl cut.

All vehicles need to display a registration plate to be legally driven in the UK.
In March and September each year we get a new set of number plates, which are registered to new car buyers. In 2024, you’ll be able to register a new car under the ‘24’ reg plate in March and under ‘74’ plate in September.

Benefit in Kind (BiK) refers to the tax you pay when you buy a car through your company’s salary sacrifice scheme. BiK rates, like vehicle excise duty, are dependant upon your car’s CO2 emissions.
Since 2022, BiK rates have been stable and will continue to be the same till the end of the financial year 2024-25. From April 2025 onwards, BiK rates will increase by 1% in each tax bracket, including tax on zero-emission cars.

Electric vehicles will continue to pay £0 vehicle excise duty until March 2025. From the financial year April 2025 to April 2026, electric vehicles will join the lowest rate of tax and pay £10 for the first year, and then the standard rate of £165 per financial year.
Electric vehicles will also be exempt from paying the congestion charge while driving in London till 25 December 2025.

E-scooter trial to end in May 2024

Transport for London (TfL) has been trialling the use of e-scooters by commuters since June 2021. They’ve partnered with e-scooter companies Dott, Lime and TIER to trial this new method of transport. While the trial was due to end on 20 November 2022, it was extended to 31 May 2024 to gather more data.
Once the trial ends in May 2024, we can expect to see some insights into how the trial went and hear more about the government's plans for the future of e-scooters on the UK roads.

Cardiff Council have started consultations on having their own Congestion Zone and charges as part of their new ‘transport vision’.
Although still in its consultation stage, the council aims to have a cabinet decision by the end of 2024. They hope to reduce traffic, improve air quality and promote the use of public transportation by introducing these measures. Details are still being discussed, like whether the charge would only apply to visitors or would include residents as well; and if residents are included, whether they’d be offered any discounts like London residents get for the ULEZ charge. The council believes it could take up to five years to implement these charges.

Now that you’re caught up with what’s coming up in the automotive world in 2024, here’s a look at all the new cars due to be launched in 2024.