New UK Driving Laws Coming into Force in December 2024: What You Need to Know

As the end of the year draws near, the UK government is rolling out a series of significant changes to the driving laws and road regulations that will take effect in December 2024. These changes, which cover a wide range of areas from electric vehicle infrastructure to company car reimbursement rates, will affect everyday drivers, businesses, and the evolving landscape of transportation in the UK. Whether you're behind the wheel of a personal car, managing a fleet of company vehicles, or dealing with the installation and operation of electric vehicle charging points, these new rules could have a significant impact on you.

Key Changes to UK Driving Laws in December 2024

Several key areas of UK motoring regulations are undergoing changes this December, each bringing new requirements for drivers, employers, and businesses. Some of the most significant updates include adjustments to fuel reimbursement rates, changes to how electric vehicle (EV) charging points operate, and the installation of new technology in HGVs.

Changes to Advisory Fuel Rates (AFRs)

One of the most immediate changes, starting December 1, 2024, will be the adjustment of Advisory Fuel Rates (AFRs) for company cars. These rates, used by employers to reimburse employees for fuel used on business trips, have been revised to reflect current fuel prices. Notably, diesel rates will see reductions across various engine sizes, meaning businesses may have to pay less to employees for business-related fuel usage.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the new AFRs for diesel cars:

• Diesel vehicles over 2,000cc: The reimbursement rate drops from 18p per mile to 17p per mile.
• Diesel vehicles between 1,601cc and 2,000cc: The rate will decrease from 14p per mile to 13p per mile.
• Diesel vehicles under 1,600cc: The new rate will be 11p per mile, down from 12p.

Petrol rates will also be adjusted downwards, reflecting a similar trend. These new AFRs apply to company cars, though hybrid vehicles will be treated as either petrol or diesel, depending on their configuration.

Tachograph Regulations for HGVs

The new rules surrounding tachographs for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) will be another major shift in motoring legislation. By February 21, 2024, all newly registered HGVs must be fitted with smart tachograph 2 technology, a more advanced and secure version of the existing tachograph system. This change is intended to improve monitoring of drivers' hours and improve safety standards in international freight transportation.

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.”

Existing vehicles using analogue or digital tachographs will need to retroactively upgrade to smart tachograph 2 technology by December 31, 2024. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines and penalties for businesses operating affected vehicles.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Point Rules

The most dramatic change in December 2024 concerns the growing infrastructure surrounding electric vehicles. With the increasing number of EVs on UK roads, the government is introducing stricter rules for charging point operators. Starting December 2024, operators of public EV charge points will face penalties of up to £10,000 if they fail to meet certain standards.

These new requirements include:

• Contactless payments: All charge points with a power output of 8kW or more, and existing chargers of 50kW or more, must allow contactless payment.
• Reliability guarantees: Charge point operators will be required to ensure that their equipment is 99% reliable, aiming to provide consistent service to EV users.
• Fines: If charge point operators fail to meet these standards, they could face hefty fines, with some reports suggesting the total fines across the sector could run into billions of pounds if widespread non-compliance occurs.

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate

One of the most ambitious goals of the UK government’s environmental agenda is to drastically reduce emissions from road transport. As part of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, car manufacturers will be required to ensure that a minimum of 22% of car sales and 10% of van sales are fully electric from January 1, 2024. This target will increase gradually, with a goal of having 80% of all new cars sold in the UK being fully electric by 2030. By 2035, all vehicles sold in the UK should produce zero emissions.

The government plans to enforce this mandate with stiff penalties. If manufacturers fail to meet the targets, they will face fines of £15,000 per car and £9,000 per van for each vehicle sold below the threshold. This will put pressure on automakers to shift more quickly toward electric models and meet the government’s emissions reduction goals.

Potential Reversal of the ZEV Mandate

Despite the ambitious timeline, there are growing concerns about the feasibility of the ZEV mandate, and recent reports suggest that the Labour Party may consider softening or even reversing the rules. The possible delay of the mandate’s goals could provide more time for manufacturers to transition to electric vehicle production. The political debate surrounding the ZEV mandate will likely continue to evolve as the deadline draws nearer.

What These Changes Mean for Drivers and Businesses

The changes coming into force in December 2024 reflect the UK government’s ongoing efforts to modernize the road transport system, reduce emissions, and increase the reliability of road infrastructure. While many of these changes will have a direct impact on businesses operating company cars and HGV fleets, everyday drivers, especially those with electric vehicles, will also be affected by the evolving rules for charging stations.

For businesses, the adjustments to fuel reimbursement rates and tachograph requirements will need to be integrated into their operations. Businesses must ensure their fleet management strategies align with the new AFR rules and prepare for the shift to smart tachographs in the new year.

Meanwhile, electric vehicle owners should be aware of the growing expectations around the availability of charging points and the reliability of these stations, as the new regulations will likely improve the overall EV charging infrastructure in the UK. However, these improvements also come with the potential for increased costs for charge point operators, which could ultimately be passed on to the consumers.

For car manufacturers, the ZEV mandate represents a monumental shift toward an electric future, with the penalties for non-compliance acting as a significant financial deterrent. How manufacturers respond to these pressure points will be crucial for their future success in the UK market.