UK motorists are being warned to expect a series of driving law changes from HMRC, which are set to take effect in December.
Among the Labour Party’s new updates include HMRC’s revised fuel rates for company cars, stricter EV charging requirements, and new tachograph rules for heavy goods vehicles.
Car manufacturers also face ambitious electric vehicle sales targets under the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, with significant fines for non-compliance.
This guide covers all the major updates, helping you navigate the changes and prepare for the UK’s evolving transportation landscape.
Advisory Fuel Rates
Starting December 1, HMRC is introducing new Advisory Fuel Rates (AFRs) for company car drivers. These rates, which employers use to reimburse fuel costs for business travel, are seeing reductions across the board.
Diesel company cars with an engine size of more than 2,000cc will be cut from 18-17ppm, while the new AFR for a diesel vehicle with an engine from 1,601-2,000cc falls from 14-13ppm.
For diesel cars up to 1,600cc, the new reimbursement rate will be 11ppm, down from 12ppm. All three rates for petrol company cars have also been cut.
Petrol cars have also seen cuts, though specific rates vary by engine size.
For hybrid cars, employers can classify them as either petrol or diesel for reimbursement. However, these rates don’t apply to vans, and VAT claims still require a receipt.
New Tachograph Rules for HGVs
Truck drivers and fleet managers, take note: stricter tachograph regulations are on the horizon. By February 21, 2024, all newly registered Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) must be equipped with ‘smart tachograph 2’ technology.
For vehicles already in use with analogue or digital tachographs, retrofitting is required by December 31, 2024, for those undertaking international journeys.
The goal? Increased compliance and better tracking of driving hours for safer and more efficient transport.
£10,000 Fines for Non-Compliant EV Chargers
Electric vehicle drivers will benefit from new regulations ensuring EV charge points meet modern standards—or face hefty penalties. Operators are now required to offer contactless payment options for chargers with a capacity of 8kW and above, and guarantee a 99% reliability rate for their devices.
Adam Hall, director of energy services at Drax Electric Vehicles, said: ‘These findings highlight both progress and opportunity. Councils are working hard to modernise their EV infrastructure, but barriers continue to exist. Bridging these gaps is essential to not only build confidence in the UK’s EV growing market but also help make the transition smoother for businesses and fleets who rely on a reliable public charging network.’
As the number of public charge points in the UK surpassed 68,000 earlier this year, total non-compliance could result in billions of pounds in fines for the sector.
The Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate
Big changes are also underway for car manufacturers with the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, starting January 1, 2024. Automakers must ensure that 22% of car sales and 10% of van sales are fully electric in 2024.
Targets will rise yearly, with an 80% EV sales requirement by 2030 and 100% by 2035.
Failing to hit these benchmarks will be costly, with fines of £15,000 per car and £9,000 per van short of the target. While these measures aim to accelerate the EV transition, there’s speculation the Labour government could adjust the mandate’s stringency.
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