MOTORISTS are gearing up for a number of new DVLA rules coming into force in March.
Over the past year, drivers have had to adapt to numerous alterations, including 20mph speed limits in parts of England and Wales and stricter emission controls.
New DVLA rules are coming into force very soon[/caption]
And there are a few new changes on the horizon that every driver should know about.
Many will come into force on March 1 and could be costly if not taken on board, with new expenses and even fines attached.
A ruling from HMRC means that petrol and diesel car owners will face new costs this week, while electric cars will benefit from lower rates.
HMRC has unveiled new Advisory Fuel Rates effective from March 1, bringing changes to company car rates.
The new rates include a one-penny increase for diesel cars with engines up to 1,600cc, rising from 11 to 12 pence per mile (ppm).
For petrol vehicles, the only change affects cars with engine sizes between 1,401-2,000cc, seeing rates rise from 14ppm to 15ppm.
Electric vehicle drivers will continue to enjoy the advisory fuel rate of just seven ppm, a lower cost determined using data from the Department for Energy and Net Zero.
New number plates
The new ’25’ number plates are set to be rolled out for newly-registered cars in the UK, indicating that the vehicle was registered on or after 1 March 2025.
Motorists seeking to personalise their vehicles with custom number plates must be aware of the stringent rules surrounding them.
Non-compliance could result in a hefty £1,000 fine and confiscation of the plate.
It’s crucial to remember that it’s illegal to display a number plate that implies your vehicle is newer than it actually is.
Additionally, there are specific regulations regarding the shape, font, colour, and visibility of a vehicle’s number plate on UK roads.
To assist drivers in avoiding any infractions, the DVLA offers its own personalised plate finder.
New number plates are issued biannually, in March and September.
The second batch of plates commences with a seven, meaning this year’s plates will feature ’75’ as the third and fourth characters.
The prohibition on displaying a number plate that suggests a newer vehicle also applies here.
Vehicle tax
From 1 April, all electric vehicle owners will need to start paying a higher band of vehicle excise duty – or car tax.
This will be £10 in the first year for cars registered after this date.
It remains significantly below the standard annual rates for other vehicles, at £190 for cars, £335 for vans and £25 for motorcycles.
However, from April those with electric vehicles worth over £40,000 will also need to begin paying the Expensive Car Supplement which other car types have been subject to since 2017.
This is a flat-rate sum added on top of car tax, and will be £195 in 2025.
