Wednesday, December 11, 2024

How will driving law changes in December affect YOU? Major warning for petrol and diesel car owners as HMRC introduces new rules

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Petrol and diesel car owners are being warned of driving law changes set to launch in December as HMRC introduces new rules. 

The changes, which will take effect from next month, could impact how much motorists pay to stay on the road, and if they need to upgrade their vehicles. 

From tomorrow, HM Revenue and Customs, advisory fuel rates for reimbursing people who travel for work in company cars or the cost of fuel employees must repay in fuel used for private travel will change. 

The rates are usually reviewed four times throughout the year in March, June, September and December. 

In the last September review, the rates remained largely the same, with minor adjustments to cars of certain engine sizes. 

Across the year, rates have fallen slightly, meaning drivers have not had to pay as much as they previously did to use their company cars. 

Petrol cars with engines up to 1,400cc have seen a reduced rate to 12p per mile, while those between 1,401cc and 2,000cc have been reduced to 14p. Those with vehicles over 2,000cc will pay 23p per mile, a reduction from the previous 26p. 

Diesel cars with engines up to 1,600cc will pay a reduced rate of 11p per mile, those between 1,601cc and 2,000cc will pay a reduced rate of 13p per mile and over 2,000cc 17p per mile, reduced from 20p. 

From tomorrow, HM Revenue and Customs, advisory fuel rates for reimbursing people who travel for work in company cars or the cost of fuel employees must repay in fuel used for private travel will change

There are also new rules for HGV drivers, which will come into force on December 31

There are also new rules for HGV drivers, which will come into force on December 31 

LPG fuelled cars remain the same across the board with engines up to 1,400cc at 11p, between 1,401cc and 2,000cc at 13p and over 2,000cc at 21p. 

All electric vehicles remain at 7p, with hybrid vehicles being categorised as either petrol or diesel cars. 

Electric car owners will also see the benefits in charging stations across the UK, with new and improved stations from December onwards. 

Under new rules introduced at the end of November, electric vehicle owners will get assurances from charge point operators that their devices have a 99 per cent reliability rate. 

The new rules also means charging stations across the country must come with a power capacity of 8kW and above, including existing charge points of 50kW and above, and that contactless payment can be made as standard. 

Charge point operators face a fine of £10,000 for each charger that does not meet the new rules. 

There are also new rules for HGV drivers, which will come into force on December 31. 

New government rules state that a ‘full’ smart tachograph 2 or ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 must be retrofitted into in-scope vehicles which have an analogue or digital tachograph and undertake international journeys. 

Electric car owners will also see the benefits in charging stations across the UK, with new and improved stations from December onward

Electric car owners will also see the benefits in charging stations across the UK, with new and improved stations from December onward

The tachograph is a system installed in commercial vehicles, including HGVs, lorries and passenger vehicles, which records vehicle speed, driving time and a driver’s activities such as driving, work, their availability and how much rest they have had. 

Under EU rules, drivers can only drive 9 hours in a day, 56 hours in a week or 90 hours in any two consecutive weeks. 

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has told members to consider uploading their tachographs as soon as possible, particularly if they travel abroad. 

But, vehicles which only operate within the UK can still use the original digital or analogue tachograph installed in their vehicle. 

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