Driving law changes launching in August may see motorists fined, new 2035 car ban rules and more

With the new rules being introduced over the next few weeks, GB News has rounded up the most important driving law changes in August that could impact you.

Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk

2035 car ban

The new Labour Government could make an announcement on the future of the 2035 deadline to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in August.

The Labour election manifesto clarified that it would reinstate the original deadline of 2030 to end sales of polluting vehicles to give assurances to the industry and roll out the sale of electric cars.

A Government spokesperson told GB News that further details about the pledge to end sales of internal combustion engine vehicles would be made "in due course".

They added: "We’re committed to delivering greener transport by supporting the transition to electric vehicles.

“We will provide certainty to manufacturers by restoring the 2030 phase-out date for new petrol and diesel cars, and are committed to accelerating the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure."

Alongside this announcement, the Government could also unveil changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate which currently requires manufacturers to have a minimum percentage of sales come from electric cars. This will start from 22 per cent this year and rise to 80 per cent by the end of the decade and 100 per cent in 2035.

Since Labour plans to reintroduce the 2030 deadline, manufacturers could be left in limbo for five years as to whether they need to accelerate plans to ditch ICE vehicles and produce more EVs or increase the rate of their exports to Europe, which will retain the 2035 deadline.

Electric vehicles

Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner are expected to announce changes to the National Planning Policy Framework within the coming weeks.

Labour has outlined that it plans to "put an end to the culture of waste and inefficiency that blights the planning system and costs the taxpayer", adding that the Tories caused repeated delays with a "broken" planning system.

The party pledged in its election manifesto to remove planning barriers holding up the delivery of electric vehicle charging stations around the UK.

Further changes would see the removal of barriers to securing grid connections and help facilitate the largest update to the national transmission infrastructure in a generation.

While there are already almost 65,000 charging devices around the country, it is hoped that drivers will see a dramatic increase in the number of charging devices in the coming months if planning barriers are removed.

In Angela Rayner's plan to build more homes, the Labour MP said the Government would make it easier to build gigafactories for electric vehicles, as well as laboratories and digital infrastructure.

Rachel Reeves also announced the date of Labour's first Budget - October 30 - which will likely be headlined by comments on fuel duty, EV charging prices and other road projects.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• DVLA issues urgent car tax warning with 250,000 drivers at risk of massive £2,500 fines
• Tesla forced to recall 1.8 million electric vehicles over fears software issue may lead to accidents
• Britons warned of motorway madness this summer with 220 miles of roadworks and lower speed limits

Council powers

Thurrock Council has been granted additional powers to crack down on motorists blocking traffic by stopping in yellow box junctions.

CCTV cameras will be operational and can issue fines to drivers who stop inside the junctions, with charges being between £70 and £130.

During the first six months, drivers will receive a warning notice instead but will be fined if they repeat the action at the Purfleet Interchange.

20mph speed limits

Following the Labour Government's disastrous rollout of lower speed limits across Wales, drivers in one popular area have until August 31 to make their feelings heard about whether the scheme should continue.

Carmarthenshire County Council has called on residents and businesses to suggest which roads should be exempt from the national 20mph speed limit following severe backlash from drivers.

So far, over 300 responses have requested for specific A-roads and B-roads to be reviewed, while 85 responses called for all roads to return to 30mph aside from streets outside schools, hospitals and a select few other roads.