The Cosmic Watchdog

Motorists are being alerted to a series of changes set to make driving more costly this year, with new rules coming into force as early as this week.

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.

More changes are on the way in the coming weeks, which could result in penalties if not adhered to.

Drivers should also keep an eye out for other significant updates looming.

Company car rates

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.

In terms of electric vehicle tax, owners will be required to start paying vehicle excise duty from April. At present, car owners pay approximately £190 annually, van operators are charged £335, and motorcycles incur a modest fee of around £25.

However, all new EVs registered after April 1, 2025, will be subject to a first-year rate of £10, marking a departure from the previous zero charge. They will also encounter two additional charges in the forthcoming years.

Starting from the second year in 2026, the annual tax will increase to the standard rate, currently set at £190 for cars and £335 for commercial vehicles, but this could potentially rise further.

Safety camera trial concludes

A cutting-edge technology that utilises artificial intelligence to nab drivers either using their mobile phones or not wearing seatbelts while driving has been trialled by ten police forces. The trial, which was initiated in 2021 in collaboration with National Highways, is now drawing to a close.

A more recent trial that kicked off in February 2024 and wraps up at the beginning of next month has explored how this technology can be integrated into policing. It is anticipated that the scheme will be deployed nationwide.

The AI technology is adept at recording footage of motorists engaging in dangerous driving and forwarding it to the police. Offenders caught could face a fine of up to £500 for not wearing a seatbelt, while those caught using their mobile phones could be hit with a £1,000 fine and six penalty points.