A new year brought several changes affecting UK motorists, from the expansion of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone to new parking restrictions in Scotland and changes to fuel duty.
These driving law changes in 2023 affected motorists across different parts of the UK, with some applying nationally and others only affecting drivers in specific regions.
Some of the changes originally expected for 2023 were subsequently altered or extended, so we’ve updated this guide to show what actually happened.
Here are eight of the most significant driving law changes and motoring-related changes from 2023.
One of the biggest driving law changes in 2023 was the expansion of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
On 29 August 2023, ULEZ expanded from parts of London to cover all areas within the existing Greater London boundary. This meant drivers of non-compliant cars, vans, minibuses and heavy special vehicles could face a daily charge when driving within the zone.
The ULEZ charge remained £12.50 per day for non-compliant vehicles, with the charge applying 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day.
The expansion was intended to improve air quality across London and encourage the use of cleaner vehicles. Transport for London ULEZ information
For drivers with older vehicles, the expansion made checking emissions compliance increasingly important before travelling into London.
The ULEZ expansion was therefore one of the most significant driving law changes in 2023 for London motorists.
The ULEZ expansion was supported by a new scrappage scheme launched on 30 January 2023.
The original scheme had a £110 million budget and was designed to help eligible London residents, disabled Londoners, charities, micro-businesses and sole traders replace or scrap vehicles that did not meet the ULEZ emissions standards.
The scheme was subsequently expanded, but its original launch in January 2023 gave eligible motorists several months to prepare for the London-wide ULEZ expansion.
The scheme eventually provided financial assistance for many owners of older, more polluting vehicles. Transport for London scrappage scheme information
Fuel duty was another major issue for motorists in 2023.
The temporary 5p-per-litre reduction in fuel duty introduced in March 2022 was originally due to end in March 2023. However, the government announced in the Spring Budget that the cut would be extended for another 12 months.
This meant the 5p-per-litre reduction continued rather than being removed in March 2023. The government said the extension would help households and businesses with fuel costs. GOV.UK fuel duty information
This was an important change for drivers because fuel prices remained a major household expense throughout the period.
Fuel duty was therefore an important part of the driving law changes in 2023, particularly for motorists facing higher running costs.
The fuel duty cut was subsequently extended again in 2024, so the original expectation that it would end in March 2023 did not happen.
While not technically a change to driving law, the introduction of new registration numbers was another significant motoring change in 2023.
As usual in the UK, new registration identifiers were introduced in March and September.
Cars registered between March and August 2023 received the 23 registration identifier, while vehicles registered from September 2023 received the 73 identifier.
The registration system is designed to make it possible to identify when a vehicle was first registered, which can be useful when buying or selling a used car.
However, the registration identifier does not necessarily tell you the exact model year of a vehicle, so buyers should always check the vehicle’s registration and history rather than relying solely on the number plate.
Scotland introduced new national restrictions covering pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs.
The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 had created the legal framework for these restrictions, but enforcement was delayed.
From 11 December 2023, Scottish local authorities gained the ability to issue penalty charge notices for these offences, subject to the relevant exemptions and local enforcement arrangements.
The standard penalty was £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. Some exemptions applied, and local authorities could designate certain areas where pavement parking was permitted. Transport Scotland pavement parking information
This was one of the most significant driving law changes in 2023 for motorists in Scotland, particularly those who regularly park in built-up areas.
The pavement parking restrictions were among the most significant driving law changes in 2023 for Scottish motorists.
The Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Road User Levy suspension ended in 2023.
From 1 August 2023, the reformed HGV levy came into effect for HGVs weighing 12 tonnes or more using UK roads.
The new system was designed to take greater account of vehicle weight and emissions performance, with different rates applying to newer, cleaner vehicles and older vehicles.
For example, at the time of introduction, vehicles weighing between 12 and 31 tonnes were subject to an annual levy of £150 if they met the Euro VI standard or later, compared with £195 for older Euro V or earlier vehicles. GOV.UK HGV levy information
Although the change primarily affected the haulage industry rather than private motorists, it was an important motoring-related change in 2023.
Although this change primarily affected the haulage industry, it was still relevant when looking at the wider driving law changes in 2023.
One of the most notable driving law changes in 2023 took place in Wales.
On 17 September 2023, the default speed limit on restricted roads in Wales changed from 30mph to 20mph.
The change meant that many roads that previously had a 30mph limit became 20mph unless a different limit was specifically signed.
The change was introduced as part of the Welsh Government’s road safety policy and affected drivers travelling throughout Wales.
The Highway Code was subsequently updated to reflect the change. GOV.UK Highway Code updates
Drivers should always follow the speed limit displayed on the road rather than assuming that a particular type of road has a standard limit.
The 20mph change became one of the most noticeable driving law changes in 2023 for drivers travelling through Wales.
Company car tax was another important change for motorists and businesses in 2023.
Rather than a major increase, the government had already announced that company car Benefit in Kind (BiK) percentages would remain fixed for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 tax years.
The amount of tax paid depends on factors including the vehicle’s CO2 emissions and, for some cars, electric range.
For example, a petrol or diesel company car emitting 100g/km of CO2 fell into a 25% BiK band under the rates applying at the time. GOV.UK company car tax information
Electric cars continued to benefit from significantly lower company car tax rates, helping maintain the tax incentive for businesses and employees to choose lower-emission vehicles.
For company-car drivers, these tax rules were an important part of the driving law changes in 2023, particularly when comparing petrol, diesel and electric vehicles.
The original version of this article stated that electric vehicles would remain exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) until 2025. While that was the position at the time, the exemption was scheduled to end in April 2025.
The government had already announced in 2022 that electric and other zero-emission vehicles would begin paying VED from 1 April 2025. GOV.UK VED information
This means the change should not be presented as a 2023 driving law change. Instead, it was an upcoming tax change that motorists were already aware of during 2023.
Looking back, the driving law changes in 2023 affected motorists through a combination of road rules, vehicle charges and motoring-related taxation.
The driving law changes in 2023 affected motorists in different ways depending on where they lived and what type of vehicle they drove.
London motorists faced the biggest change through the expansion of ULEZ, while drivers in Scotland faced new parking restrictions. Drivers in Wales also had to adapt to the new 20mph default speed limit on restricted roads.
Fuel duty, company car tax and the HGV levy were more closely linked to motoring costs and taxation than everyday driving rules.
If you’re interested in how UK motoring rules have developed since then, our guide to UK driving laws in 2026 covers more recent changes.
Changes such as ULEZ expansion also highlighted the importance of checking a vehicle’s emissions and running costs before buying.
Understanding the driving law changes in 2023 can also be useful when considering the age, emissions and running costs of a used car.
If you’re looking for a second-hand vehicle, you can browse our used cars for sale and compare vehicles from private sellers and dealers.
It’s also worth checking a vehicle’s history, tax status, MOT history and emissions information before committing to a purchase.
For more advice, see our guide on how to buy a used car safely.
The driving law changes in 2023 included some significant developments for UK motorists, particularly the London-wide ULEZ expansion, Scotland’s new parking restrictions and Wales’ introduction of a 20mph default speed limit.
There were also important changes to fuel duty, HGV taxation and company car tax, while the introduction of the 23 and 73 registration identifiers provided the usual twice-yearly update to the UK’s number plate system.
Some of the changes originally expected in 2023 were later extended or altered, which is why it’s important to distinguish between proposals announced at the start of the year and changes that actually came into force.
The impact of the driving law changes in 2023 therefore varied considerably depending on where motorists lived and what type of vehicle they drove.
Overall, the driving law changes in 2023 represented a mixture of regional road-rule changes and nationwide motoring and tax changes.
You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy.
You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
