Motorists could be caught out by a series of simpled driving rule changes coming into effect this March with petrol and diesel owners most at risk.
Drivers with combustion-engined vehicles face changes to fuel duty fees with costs expected to rise.
Meanwhile, those with a company car face updates to Advisory Fuel Rates in another major change coming into effect.
New number plate designs and driving licence updates are also in the pipeline while Chancellor Jeremy Hunt could make more announcements next week.
Express.co.uk looks at the biggest changes happening on and off the road in March 2024.
Number plate – March 1
The DVLA’s new ‘24’ number plate designs are introduced at the start of March and September every year.
A new batch of designs means a fresh list of banned plates and March 2024 is no exception with hundreds of phrases not being released.
BO24 LOK, FA24 NNY, AS24 HLE, SH24 GGY, SK24 NKZ and PE24 VRT are just a few of the designs not available for purchase. Experts at webuyanycar have warned the introduction of new models could also “devalue” some older vehicles.
Those in the market for a second-hand car could secure some great bargains as dealers shave prices off 2023 models to make room for new machines.
New Advisory Fuel Rates – March 1
New Advisory Fuel rates (AFRs) will come into effect at the start of the month with company car drivers affected. The new fuel reimbursement rates will see fees for both petrol and diesel vehicle owners fall.
All three rates for petrol company cars have also been cut with chargers dropping by up to 2p per mile. Meanwhile, diesel AFR for company car drivers have all been cut by one pence per mile.
Spring Budget – March 6
Experts at the AA have urged Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to make a series of motoring rule changes in the Spring Budget next week.
The breakdown group has called for the end of the electric car ‘pavement tax’, where drivers pay 20 percent VAT for charging at a public bay compared to just five percent at home.
AA chiefs have also called for a cut to Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) to help lower the cost of car insurance policies.
They want IPT rates slashed by 25 percent for all road users and up to 50 percent for young drivers in a bid to bring down premiums.
Finally, the AA wants fuel duty to be retained at its current rate to ensure petrol prices are affordable| for motorists. However, leading campaign group FairFuelUK has called on the Chancellor to slash duties by up to 20p.
Fuel duty – March 23
The Government introduced a 5p per litre cut on fuel duty back in May 2022 to help battle the cost of living crisis. This was a temporary measure to help road users save pennies at the pumps but has now been extended for almost two years.
HMRC claims the 5p deduction is expected to end on March 23 which would see rates return to their previous 57.95p. But, the slight increase in fuel duty rates could yet be stopped by Jeremy Hunt in the Spring Budget announcement.
Driving licences – March
New driving licence rules could affect expats living abroad in a popular European destination. Fresh guidance means Brits living in Latvia can now use their valid UK driving licence in the country until it expires.
UK citizens can also now change their driving licence for a new one without having to take any further tests.
