Driving law changes in February will see new petrol station rules, digital driving licences and potential car tariffs affecting UK motorists.
Changes to driving laws set to take effect in February will introduce new petrol station regulations and updates to digital ID. A significant rule change commences on Monday morning at every petrol station across the UK, reports The Sun.
Fuel Prices:
The Fuel Finder Scheme aims to gather and publicly share near real-time road fuel price data from all UK motor fuel retailers, making it more accessible for consumers. From today, (Monday, February 2), petrol stations will be obliged to report their fuel prices within 30 minutes of a change. Individuals can utilise the government-backed Fuel Finder website to ensure they're not being overcharged by a local station.
Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, stated: "We hope that 2026 will see more competitive pump prices on the back of the Government's fuel finder scheme going live at the start of February and increasing competition." However, this isn't the only alteration happening during the year's second month.
Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, commented: "We need to reignite competition among fuel retailers and that means two things. It needs to be easier for drivers to compare up to date prices so retailers have to compete harder for their business.
"This is why we are recommending the UK government legislate for a new fuel finder scheme which would make it compulsory for retailers to make their prices available in real time. This would end the need to drive round and look at the prices displayed on the forecourt and would ideally enable live price data on satnavs and map apps."
Driving licence
Motorists will be offered the opportunity to utilise a digital version of their driver's licence via their mobile phone to conveniently verify their age when purchasing age-restricted products both online and in person – as well as confirming their entitlement to drive.
A mobile driver's licence will be amongst the initial digital documents available in a GOV.UK Wallet launching later this year. This will ultimately permit individuals to verify their age from their phone in shops or online, Science Secretary Peter Kyle announced today.
Tariffs
The UK automotive sector would face severe consequences from the introduction of a fresh 25 per cent tariff, with estimates suggesting that up to 25,000 British manufacturing jobs could be jeopardised.
Following the tariff announcement, Pranesh Narayanan, a research fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), cautioned that 25,000 jobs could be at risk.
He stated: "With tariffs that could go up to 35 per cent, we are once again looking at a potentially massive drop in market share that threatens the viability of the big British manufacturers."
