Driving Laws 2019

Posted on 15th January 2019

New Driving Laws for 2019


This year, a few new laws are coming into force for drivers across the U.K. We have listed them for you, and also suggested some to look out for!


1) Learner drivers on the Motorway

Learner drivers will now be allowed on motorways prior to passing their full driving test, as long as they are with a qualified instructor with dual control within the car. 


2) Cyclists and cars 

In an attempt to penalise those who drive too close to cyclists, penalties for perpetrators will be strengthened from March. There must be a space of 1.5m when overtaking cyclists, and failure to do so could land a £100 fine and three points on your license.


3) Diesel car tax increasing

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), otherwise known as road tax, will now be calculated based on the car’s carbon dioxide emissions, as opposed to being capped at £140 per year.

Cars which emit between 191g and 225g of C02 per year, will be £500. More environmentally friendly cars, those which emit between 111g and 130g per kilometre, will only see a £40 increase in VED.


4) MOT rules

There are new categories for car defects for MOT testing;

Dangerous - direct risk to road safety or environment - will result in a fail

Major - could affect road safety or environment - will result in a fail

Minor - no effect on safety, but should be repaired as soon as possible.

Advisory - could have effect in the future

Pass - meets current legal standards

Checks include

  • under inflated tyres
  • Contaminated brake fluid
  • Brake pads warning lights and missing brake pads or discs
  • Reversing lights (for vehicles newer than September 2009)
  • Daytime running lights (for vehicles newer than March 2018)


Future potential changes for drivers to look out for


1) For recently passed drivers

The government have considered bringing in a graduated driving license, which could impose restrictions on new drivers such as curfews, limits on passengers, separate slower speed limits, mandatory P plates, limits on engine sizes and lower alcohol limits.

A pilot scheme for graduated licenses are to be tested in Northern Ireland from 2019 to 2020, and could potentially be rolled across England if successful.


2) Smart motorways

Fines are to be considered for those who drive on closed lanes on smart motorways of up to £100 and three points on their license.

Modified roadside cameras may help identify drivers who violate these restrictions




Information courtesy of the M.E.N.

Get car finance in 60 seconds