Buckle Up 2023s New Driving Laws That Could Cost You
Reg Plates ArticleBuckle Up 2023s New Driving Laws That Could Cost You

Hold onto your steering wheel, because 2023 ushered in a wave of driving law changes, some subtle, some seismic, all with the potential to leave motorists feeling lighter in the wallet and heavier in the penalty points. So, before you cruise into the new year, buckle up and get familiar with the road rules that could make or break your driving habits.
Passenger Panic for Young Drivers: Newbies behind the wheel under 25 might soon face a passenger restriction. The proposed "graduated driving licence" could bar them from carrying other young passengers for a period after passing their test. This aims to curb the high crash rate among newly-licensed drivers often attributed to distractions and peer pressure.
Clean Air Zones Breathe Easy: Two new Clean Air Zones (CAZs) joined the fight against air pollution in 2023. Drivers of older, more polluting vehicles face hefty fines if they venture into these designated areas. Consider upgrading your car or utilizing public transport to avoid costly penalties and contribute to a greener city.
Smartphone Smackdown: Distracted driving? Not anymore. Holding your phone while driving now earns you a whopping £200 fine and six penalty points. Put the phone down, eyes on the road, and let Bluetooth or voice controls handle your calls and tunes. It's not just safer, it's the law.
20mph Makes a Mark: Pedestrians rejoice! Several areas embraced the 20mph speed limit to prioritize safety and encourage walking and cycling. This change demands extra vigilance, especially near schools and residential zones. Slow down, stay alert, and be courteous to our two-footed friends.
Scooters Under Scrutiny: Electric scooters, the zippy urban transport trend, aren't exempt from scrutiny. New regulations require riders to register their details and drivers' licenses with operators, ensuring accountability and cracking down on irresponsible use. Expect stricter enforcement and designated riding zones, so scoot safely and follow the rules.
Fueling the Flame: While not a legal change, the fuel duty cut extension provided some financial relief for motorists. However, remember, this is temporary. Keep an eye on fuel prices and consider fuel-efficient driving techniques to navigate the ever-changing cost of hitting the road.
Stay Informed, Stay Safe: These are just some of the driving law changes that marked 2023. It's crucial to stay updated on local regulations and national amendments. Remember, knowledge is power – and in this case, it could save you money, points, and most importantly, lives. Check official government websites, driving organizations, and trusted news sources for the latest updates.
So, as you cruise through 2024, remember these changes and adapt your driving habits accordingly. Be a responsible, informed driver, and you'll navigate the new year smoothly, safely, and without a dent in your wallet or your driving record.
How close a series of letters or numbers are to a real name of word: if the match quality is high (and the numbers and letters are very convincing in making a popular word), the value of the registration plate will be higher. This means that a match like 5IMON, for the name Simon, will be worth a lot more than a more obscure set of letters and numbers that are not as convincing a match, such as S17 MMM for the name Sam.
The style of the plate: this means establishing if it is a new-style plate, an older-style format or if it is dateless or Irish, for instance. Other options are that it is a prefix-style plate or a suffix-style plate. New-style number plates, which have been produced since 2001, tend to be the least valuable because they are a bit less appealing to some collectors, plus the rule about not having plates that are newer than your car can also come into play, putting people off from buying a newer-style plate for their older car. Prefix-style number plates, which were in production between 1983 and 2001 can be more popular as more vehicles are entitled to have those licence numbers, and they may have fewer characters in total. Suffix-style plates, issued from 1963 to 1983 are relatively rare, which means they can attract higher prices than prefix-style plates and newer designs. Dateless number plates, also known as cherished number plates, were produced between 1903 and 1963 and are nearly always the most valuable number plate configurations; they have fewer digits and their dateless nature means that people can hide the age of their car. Irish number plates are similar to dateless number plates, especially because they don’t have a year identifier. They also tend to be cheaper than other types of vehicle registration plates.
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