Four new driving laws start today - everything you need to know from number plates to ULEZ

Motorists in England have been told to brace for four fresh road laws being rolling out this September.

Drivers are warned it's time to brush up on crucial new regulations poised to change the game for vehicle users from Sunday. The new laws will be introduced throughout the next four weeks, with the first change taking place from the very first day of the month.

Commencing already, new number plates will be introduced - signalling a clear way for people to distinguish the latest car models on the streets. This move might affect the market values of older vehicles seeking new owners. You will be able to spot an update on the roads and it comes in the form of brand-new number plates making it easier to identify newly minted cars cruising around town.

Number plate changes

Company car users should listen up: September's arrival spells changes with a swing in rates affecting both your work drives and those weekend jaunts. Here's the lowdown that every driver needs to get clued up on....

The much-talked-about "74" series plates are ready to hit the forecourts starting 1 September, as part of the bi-annual tradition dating back to 2001. We saw the "24" series make its debut earlier in the year on March 1st.

Advisory fuel rates

A heads-up for those cruising in business wheels: HMRC has rolled out new advisory fuel rates from the onset of September 2024. These are crucial for employers weighing in on how to reimburse drivers for business travel or claw back money spent during private trips, reports Bristol Live.

The rates mentioned do not apply to vans, and from 1 March 2023, the rate for electric vehicles will be subject to quarterly reviews. Hybrid vehicles are to be treated as either petrol or diesel cars for these purposes, and the stated rates are also relevant for VAT claims provided that employees present a receipt for reclaiming.

Ulez Scrappage scheme

When it comes to tackling emissions in London, residents might have a lucrative incentive under the Ulez Scrappage scheme. Londoners living in the right borough could pocket up to £2,000 for scrapping an eligible car and a handsome sum of up to £7,000 for a van or minibus if they run a small business.

Charities using minibuses have a higher cap of up to £9,000, whereas disabled residents with adapted vehicles for wheelchair access can claim an impressive £10,000.

Be sure to mark your calendars the final call for applications is 7 September, assures TfL, with a promise that all submissions before this cut-off are "guaranteed to be processed and reviewed for eligibility". The initiative was broadened to accommodate the majority of Londoners from 4 August 2023, preparing them for the Ulez expansion at month-end.

An eye-popping £70m has already found its way to owners of more than 36,000 cars and motorcycles, compliments of the scheme, while close to 18,000 owners of vans and minibuses saw a staggering £116.5m credited their way.

Silvertown Tunnel consultation

The Silvertown tunnel, set to open in 2025, aims to alleviate congestion and provide faster, more reliable journeys in east London, including new public transport links. In anticipation of the tunnel's opening, Transport London is seeking public opinion on the proposed charge levels, and "our proposed discounts and exemptions for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels".

You've got until Tuesday, 3 September 2024 to have your say on the Silvertown Tunnel plans. First conceived in 2012, the tunnel is set to open in 2025 and promises to ease congestion and speed up journeys in east London by as much as 20 minutes.

The new route will also see a boost in bus services across the river and a dedicated shuttle for cyclists. However, to fund the construction and benefits of the tunnel, charges will be applied to both the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels. A range of discounts and concessions are also being proposed to ensure the scheme is as environmentally friendly and equitable as possible.