Full list of UK driving law changes coming into force in December

UK motorists are being warned to expect a series of driving law changes from HMRC, which are set to take effect in December.

Among the Labour Party’s new updates include HMRC’s revised fuel rates for company cars, stricter EV charging requirements, and new tachograph rules for heavy goods vehicles.

Car manufacturers also face ambitious electric vehicle sales targets under the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, with significant fines for non-compliance.

This guide covers all the major updates, helping you navigate the changes and prepare for the UK’s evolving transportation landscape.

Advisory Fuel Rates

Starting December 1, HMRC is introducing new Advisory Fuel Rates (AFRs) which include changes to the pence per mile (ppm) rates for both diesel and petrol company cars used for business travel.

The rate of diesel company cars with an engine size of more than 2,000cc will be cut from 18-17ppm, while the new AFR for a diesel vehicle with an engine from 1,601-2,000cc falls from 14-13ppm.

For diesel cars up to 1,600cc, the new reimbursement rate will be 11ppm, down from 12ppm. All three rates for petrol company cars have also been cut.

For hybrid cars, employers can classify them as either petrol or diesel for reimbursement. However, these rates don’t apply to vans, and VAT claims still require a receipt.

New Tachograph Rules for HGVs

In big news for truck drivers and fleet managers, the government has also announced that stricter regulations surrounding tachographs are on the horizon.

Confirming the regulation, the DVLA said: ‘On or after February 21, 2024, a ‘full’ smart tachograph 2 or ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 must be fitted into all newly registered in-scope vehicles regardless of journey types.’

For vehicles already in use with analogue or digital tachographs, retrofitting is required by December 31 for those undertaking international journeys.

The goal? Increased compliance and better tracking of driving hours for safer and more efficient transport.

£10,000 Fines for Non-Compliant EV Chargers

Electric vehicle drivers will benefit from new regulations ensuring EV charge points meet modern standards—or be hit with a £10,000 fine.

Operators are now required to offer contactless payment options for chargers with a capacity of 8kW and above, and guarantee a 99% reliability rate for their devices.

Adam Hall, director of energy services at Drax Electric Vehicles, said: ‘These findings highlight both progress and opportunity. Councils are working hard to modernise their EV infrastructure, but barriers continue to exist. Bridging these gaps is essential to not only build confidence in the UK’s EV growing market but also help make the transition smoother for businesses and fleets who rely on a reliable public charging network.’

Mr Hall also flagged up financial risks as outlined by ESP Group: ‘Across the country, the potential financial exposure for the industry is substantial, especially for larger operators with hundreds of charge points to manage.’

The Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate

Big changes are also underway for car manufacturers with the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate which will force automakers to ensure that 22% of car sales and 10% of van sales are fully electric.

The scheme is designed to boost the sales of EVs in an effort to reduce emissions and will see targets rise yearly, with an 80% EV sales requirement by 2030 and 100% by 2035

Failing to hit these benchmarks will be costly, with fines of £15,000 per car and £9,000 per van short of the target.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.