Do these 2018 driving law changes affect you?

A number of new motoring laws were introduced in 2017, with an even bigger shake-up to be imposed this year.

Find out if these changes affect you.

Driving tests

The practical driving test was modified towards the end of 2017, updating the test to be more relevant to driving in today’s world.

Candidates must now drive independently for 20 minutes following directions from a sat nav, compared to the previous 10 minutes with directions given by the examiner.

Prospective new drivers will also no longer be asked to reverse around a corner, or complete a turn in the road (formerly a three-point turn) as their manoeuvre.

The ‘show me’ vehicle safety question may also be asked when driving.

Motorway changes

New laws are being introduced from March to prevent motorists from driving in closed lanes.

Driving in a closed lane is already illegal, but the new law will introduce a fixed penalty for drivers who flout this in the form of a £100 fine and three penalty points on their licence.

Cameras on the new four-lane smart motorways will monitor for drivers breaking the speed limit, or driving in a closed lane.

Learner drivers to be allowed on motorways

Learners will be able to have lessons on the motorway, providing they are accompanied by an approved instructor in a vehicle with dual controls.

Ban for young drivers

Prime Minister Theresa May has asked the Department for Transport to look at introducing a ‘graduated licence’ scheme to reduce the number of accidents involving new and young drivers.

Motorists in this age group (17 – 24 years old)  are involved in a quarter of all UK crashes that lead to death or serious injury.

Similar schemes in Australia and New Zealand, Ireland and the United State see new drivers banned from driving at night, and also from carrying passengers under the age of 25 without supervision.

The graduated licence scheme could also see the drink drive limit lowered and rules placed on maximum engine size aimed at detering 'boy racers'.

Mobile phones

It is illegal to hold a phone or sat nav while driving or riding a motorcycle, and to use a handheld phone whilst supervising a learner.

The penalties increased in March 2017: you can get six penalty points and a £200 fine if you use a hand-held phone when driving. You’ll also lose your licence if you passed your driving test in the last two years.

You can also be taken to court where you can be banned from driving or riding, and/or be fined a maximum of £1,000 (£2,500 if you’re driving a lorry or bus).

New MoT rules

From May, new categories are being introduced for the MoT test, making it harder to pass. Defects will now be classed as Minor, Major or Dangerous. Under the new rules, vehicles receiving a Major or Dangerous will automatically fail their MoT.

Drivers can still pass with a Minor fault, but this will be noted on the vehicle’s MoT certificate.

Diesel filters will also form part of the test from 20 May; if the filter has been tampered with or removed, the vehicle will fail.

Classic vehicles older than 40 years of age are also set to become exempt from the test. Confused.com says the reason for this is as owners “tend to be enthusiasts who maintain their vehicles well, therefore the need for an MoT isn’t as vital as standard car owners.”

The exemption does not apply to commercially-used large goods vehicles (maximum weight of 3.5 tonnes) and buses (vehicles with eight or more seats).

Tax increase for diesel cars

As diesel cars produce higher emissions than petrol cars, motorists are set to pay a higher tax rate from April.

The changes apply to vehicles bought after April which do not meet the Euro 6 engine requirements under the new Real Driving Emissions cars which produce more emissions typically cost more to tax.

For cars not meeting the latest emission standards, the Vehicle Exercise Duty will go up by one band and could see some cars hit by a tax increase of up to £500.

Car seats for children

Children must normally use a child car seat until they are 12-years-old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first.

Children over 12 or more than 135cm tall must wear a seat belt.

You can choose a child car seat based on your child’s height or weight. Height-based seats must be rear-facing until your child is over 15-months-old when they can use a forward-facing child car seat.

Only EU-approved height-based child car seats can be used in the UK. These have a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle and ‘R129’.

Only EU-approved weight-based child car seats can be used in the UK. These have a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle and ‘ECE R44’.