The new driving laws in 2020 that every Leeds motorist needs to know about

A new Clean Air Zone is planned for Leeds and other laws could affect car tax and how you drive on motorways.

Smart motorways

New laws for driving on smart motorways will be enforced from June this year - and those who ignore red X lane closures could be strung with fines of up to £100.

Drivers who ignore closures could be automatically fined and given three points in line with the new rules.

Leeds Clean Air Zone

The Clean Air Zone was originally planned to go live in January 2020 - but now the council has confirmed that the zone's final launch date will be at least July 2020.

The scheme will aim to tackle air pollution by charging high-emission HGVs and buses £50 a day to drive in the city, while high-emission taxis and private hire vehicles would pay £50 a week.

Car Tax

Drivers could be charged up to an additional £15 with a new law on taxation - if your car produces high emissions you could be affected.

Diesel cars who fail to meet the new mandatory RDE2 emissions standard who will continue to pay higher taxes.

New car buyers could also face an extra £65 on their first year’s car tax.

Parking

Drivers who park on pavements in Leeds could be in trouble, with proposed legislation that could deter them.

Pavement parking has been banned across London since 1974, but a new law could see the rule applied to the rest of the country.

Due to the opposition the rule faces, this may take some time to actually come into force in Leeds.

Driving permits and green cards

If the UK were to leave the EU without a Brexit deal, motorists driving into the EU as a visitor will have to spend £5.50 on an international permit.

Holidaymakers planning on driving their own vehicle abroad will also need to carry a motor insurance green card in the EU and EEA.

You can get one of these by contacting their insurance provider a month before travel.

New drivers

New drivers already face harsher penalties for offences like using a mobile phone whilst driving, but more restrictions could come into effect for 2020.

The RAC say these are likely to focus on things like curfews, the amount of passengers you can carry, and the amount of alcohol you can consume and drive.