Motorists are being warned of new driving law changes coming into force in the coming days, which could see petrol and diesel drivers face expensive driving fines in several major UK cities.
A myriad of driving laws have already been introduced this year, including new rules for parking cars on the pavement, regulations for manufacturers to produce a minimum number of electric vehicles and changes to license plates in March.
With the new rules coming in next month, GB News has rounded up the most important June driving law changes that could affect you.
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The implementation of the four low-emission zones will take place in the coming days ABERDEEN CITY COUNCILLow emission zones
Motorists will see new charges introduced on the first day of June, with three of Scotland’s four major cities starting to charge petrol and diesel drivers for driving as part of new low emission zones.
People driving older, more polluting vehicles will have to pay a daily charge of £60 to drive in the city centers of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
All non-compliant vehicles entering the LEZ in Scotland will be fined £60, with the rate doubling for each subsequent offence, capped at £480 for cars and LGVs, while vans, buses, coaches and HGVs can face maximum fines of £980.
Campaigners have been calling for a LEZ in Glasgow for several years
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Minimum criteria include Euro 4 for petrol vehicles (typically registered from 2006 onwards), Euro 6 for diesel (registered from September 2015 onwards) and Euro VI for buses and HGVs (January 2013 onwards).
Dundee initially introduced its LEZ on 30 May 2022, with a two-year grace period ending on 30 May 2024, giving local residents time to ditch their older, more polluting vehicles for greener cars.
Figures from InsureMy found that Edinburgh and Glasgow were forced to introduce the LEZ schemes despite having two of the cleanest air ratings of the UK’s 14 major cities between 2017 and 2024.
Recent research has found that low-emission zones, such as those launched in Scotland, can reduce mental health problems, with higher noise and air pollution leading to more psychotic experiences and depressive symptoms, according to the University of Bristol.
There are more than 30 active e-scooter trials in the UK
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E-scooter trials
New changes to tests will be introduced from 1 June 2024 after the Government allowed local authorities across the country to launch new Vehicle Special Orders (VSOs).
This could include introducing new rules to change the geography, size of the scheme’s fleet and measures to focus on “strategic local objectives”.
The government is requiring new changes to be requested before the end of May, with local authorities given the go-ahead from early June, with the VSO set to expire on 31 May 2026.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that the general election will be held on July 4
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General elections
In May, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the UK would return to the polls on July 4 to decide on a new government, with political parties presenting their manifestos in June to receive the public’s vote.
Some parties have already outlined minor details of their plans for road transport, including the Conservatives and their proposals for drivers and Labor to cut the cost of car insurance.
With parliament now dissolved, progress on any proposed law change will be halted until a new government is in place. This also means that all active parliamentary petitions will be suspended.