New driving laws coming into effect in 2022
The UK will see a host of new driving laws coming into effect in 2022, including a new ban on mobile phones, speed limiters and local Clean Air Zone charges.
New laws will see a crackdown on road users being able to use their mobile phones at the wheel to record video, scroll through music and take selfies, while councils in England and Wales will be given new powers to fine motorists up to £70 for minor traffic offences such as stopping in yellow box junctions, illegal turns and driving in cycle lanes.
Here are the new driving laws coming in 2022 that you need to know.
Mobile phones loophole to be banned
It is already illegal to text or make a phone call, other than in an emergency, while driving. From 2022, laws will go further to ban drivers from using their phones to take photos or videos, scroll through playlists or play games.
This means that anyone caught using their hand-held device while driving will face a £200 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence. Drivers will still be able to continue using a device âhands-freeâ while driving, such as a sat-nav, if itâs secured.
There will, however, be an exemption to the new law for drivers making a contactless payment using their mobile phone while stationary to ensure the law keeps pace with technology.
Speed limiters to be fitted in new cars
From early July all new cars will be fitted with speed limiters to comply and improve road safety measures. The Intelligent Speed Assistance black boxes will use GPS to work out the speed limit and ensure cars don’t break it.
They will be mandatory for all new models given ‘type approval’ from July, meaning any new car brought to market from that date, rather than new cars already in production.
£70 fines from councils
Drivers are set to be hit with widespread enforcement of £70 fines as councils are given more power against motorists in another driving law.
The moving traffic offences local authorities will be able to punish drivers for stopping in yellow box junctions and performing erratic or dangerous turns. At the moment, most councils are only able to send out penalties for parking and driving in bus lanes. The police are typically responsible for issuing moving traffic offence fines, apart from London and Cardiff.
New powers will mean almost 300 councils in England will be able to apply for the right to issue these penalties as well.
New Highway Code hierarchy kicks in
A new ‘hierarchy of road users’ system will be implemented in the Highway Code in 2022 to protect the most vulnerable people, including cyclists.
This means larger vehicles will need to take extra caution to ensure theyâre not putting cyclists at risk. If an accident should occur, the driver of the larger vehicle is more likely to be held responsible.
The new hierarchy:
Pedestrians
Cyclists
Horse riders
Motorcyclists
Cars/taxis
Vans/minibuses
Large passenger vehicles/heavy goods vehicles
Increase in road tax
Commonly known as road tax, Vehicle Excise Duty, is on the rise with the retail prices index measure of inflation in April. Although the government is yet to confirm the new rates.
The amount of tax you’ll pay will likely depend on your new car’s CO2 emissions. Those that emit zero grams per kilometre of CO2 are expected to continue paying zero, while petrol and most diesel powered cars (including hybrids) that emit between 1g and 50g per kilometre will pay £10 for the first 12 months.
The more CO2 a car emits per kilometre, the more you are likely to pay. You can find out how much you’re currently paying on the government website.
Local Clean Air Zone charges
Following Londonâs Ultra Low Emission Zone, or ULEZ, 2022 will see a rise in local âClean Air Zoneâ charges as the UK continues its battle against climate change.
This year will see Manchester and Bradford among the first cities outside of the capital to make such changes. The Manchester Clean Air Zone will start on May 30, 2022, while a date is yet to be announced for Bradford.
Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone comes into force in June, charging drivers of older vehicles £8 a day to enter the city centre.
A Clean Air Zone for Greater Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan will follow on May 30, 2022, however it will only apply to drivers of buses, coaches, taxis, HGVs, PHVs and LGVs.
Newcastle city centre, Sheffield and Bristol will implement a similar policy in July 2022, also affecting Gateshead and North Tyneside, but it will not charge car drivers.
Meanwhile Oxford will be piloted as the first city to introduce a âZero Emission Zoneâ meaning all but electric vehicles will be charged when entering certain streets in the city centre, starting in February.
Where can I get cheap insurance with driving convictions?
We realise your past is not necessarily a guide to the future and in many cases if you have picked up a few points for driving convictions you will drive even more carefully to protect your licence.
As experts in finding cover for all types of specialist and unusual situations, our quotes department can arrange value for money, high quality insurance cover whatever your driving history.
Our best insurance deals are usually over the phone so call 0808 503 7511 for a sensible quote. Alternatively book a call back at a time that suits you.
