Motorists are being urged to check a series of rule changes coming into force this month, with some drivers facing additional costs and new requirements. The updates affect thousands of people across the UK, particularly Motability customers, commercial vehicle operators and those requiring MOT tests.
Motability Scheme Mileage Limits and Tyre Replacements
One of the biggest changes affects Motability mileage limits. The Motability Scheme is a program that allows disabled people, their families and their carers to lease a new car, scooter or a powered wheelchair by exchanging their government-funded mobility allowance. Motability customers taking out a new three-year lease will now receive an allowance of 30,000 miles over the duration of the agreement. Those on a five-year lease for a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) will have a mileage allowance of 50,000 miles.
Motability has also introduced a new limit on tyre replacements. From the beginning of July, customers on a standard three-year lease will be entitled to up to six replacement tyres during the lease period.
European Travel and VAT Changes for Motability
Drivers planning to take a Motability vehicle to Europe will also need to prepare in advance. They must now obtain a VE103 certificate through the RAC before travelling overseas, with an administration fee of £22 applying.
There are also changes to how VAT is charged on Motability leases. VAT will now only be payable on any advance payment made towards a higher-priced vehicle, while the proportion of the lease funded through a customer's qualifying disability benefit will continue to be exempt.
New MOT Testing Charges for Larger Vehicles
Elsewhere, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is introducing new maximum MOT testing charges for larger vehicles from July 6. The maximum fee will increase to £70 for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), £50 for trailers, and £90 for buses and coaches.
Smart Tachograph Requirements for Goods Vehicles
Meanwhile, from July 1, goods vehicles weighing more than 2.5 tonnes and carrying out international journeys for hire or reward must be fitted with a full Smart Tachograph Version 2 - a mandatory digital tracking device to automatically record driving hours, rest times and exact locations. However, there is an exemption for businesses using vehicles on international trips where driving is not the employee's main role and the journey is solely for the company's own business rather than for hire or reward.
Summary of the Seven Changes
- Changes to annual mileage allowance for Motability users – July 1
- Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Lease amendments – July 1
- New rules on replacement tyres on Motability vehicles – July 1
- Mandatory Europe permits for Motability drivers – July 1
- Updates to VAT payments on Motability vehicles – July 1
- New maximum service charges for MOTs – July 6
- Goods vehicles must be fitted with tachographs – July 1
