Motorists are being warned of new driving rules that could impact their driving habits as new laws are rolled out over the coming weeks.
A number of driving law changes have already been introduced this year concerning expats and their driving licences and lofty new electric vehicle requirements.
The next 11 months will see the launch of major new rules dealing with Low Emission Zones in Scotland, nationwide e-scooter trials and new number plate changes.
GB News rounds up the most important driving law changes set to be introduced in February 2024 and what it could mean for you.
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The Tesco Clubcard double points offer ends in February
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Tesco Clubcard
In January, supermarket giant Tesco launched a huge seven-week event designed to help motorists collect double Clubcard points when they shop, including at petrol stations.
At Tesco filling stations, motorists can collect one point for every two litres of fuel they buy at the pumps, with the deal running until February 25.
Rules are slightly different for Esso petrol stations with a Tesco Express store, with Britons collecting one point for every £3 they spend on fuel.
Drivers who buy their fuel from a Tesco supermarket could see prices as low as 134.9p per litre for unleaded petrol and 141.9p for diesel.
Most vehicles now have digital tachographs
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HGV rules
Tachographs record information about how long someone has been driving, their speed and the distance travelled, making sure that people adhere to rules around maximum hours.
From February 21, 2024, a “full” smart tachograph 2 or “transitional” smart tachograph 2 must be fitted into all newly registered in-scope vehicles – including goods vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes and passenger vehicles with 10 or more seats.
The new “smart 2” tachographs allow data to be taken more easily, and, according to the European Commission, will allow for interconnection with other apps like smart parking or pay-as-you-drive.
Further tachograph rule changes will be made at the end of December later this year, August 2025 and July 2026.
A number of changes to the Rapid Charging Fund will be seen in February
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Rapid charging fund
The Government continues to support the uptake of electric vehicles and the development of the national charging infrastructure, with the rapid charging fund being one of the latest measures.
Applications for the RCF are set to close on February 28, although the pilot is currently only open to motorway service area operators.
A consultation about the RCF will end on February 14 and is aiming to receive insight into the design of the service and how motorway service stations could be adapted.
The DVSA has been hit with instances of strike action in recent years
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DVSA strikes
Members of the PCS union working for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will walk out on February 8, 9, 10 and 11 in a dispute over the Agency’s "driver services recovery programme".
The DVSA is aiming to slash the backlog of driving tests and bring the outstanding total to a national average of seven weeks by the end of March.
Loveday Ryder, chief executive of the DVSA, said: “It is disappointing that strike action by PCS members will go ahead, impacting the services we offer our customers.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
New Post Office rules for IDPs could be unveiled in February
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IDP
International Driving Permits are still needed for Britons to drive in a number of countries around the world, including popular European destinations.
The DVLA has negotiated a new contract with Post Office Ltd, although IDPs are not included as the existing terms, meaning it would run out on March 31, 2024.
IDPs are subject to a separate ongoing procurement exercise, which was scheduled to be finalised in January, although February may be more likely now.