Legislation update – October 2023

Consultations which opened in October 2023  

DfT - Volumetric concrete mixers review  

Seeking views to justify amending the current policy approach to weight limits for volumetric concrete mixers (VCMs). Released 19/10/2023 - closes 15/12/2023.  

DfT - Infrastructure for zero emission heavy goods vehicles and coaches  

To inform the development of a zero-emission heavy goods vehicle and coach infrastructure strategy. Released 19/10/2023 - closes 14/12/2023.  

DESNZ - UK greenhouse gas emissions reporting: Scope 3 emissions  

DESNZ are seeking views on the costs, benefits and practicalities of Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions reporting in the UK. Released 19/10/2023 - closes 14/12/2023.  

DBT - Smarter regulation and the regulatory landscape  

Call for evidence on what works and what could be improved across the landscape of UK regulators. Released 17/10/2023 - closes 07/01/2024.  

DfT - Updating GB type approval for road vehicles  

Consultation on whether to update the GB road vehicle type approval scheme to accept certain new safety and environmental standards. Released 12/10/2023 - closes 10/11/2023.  

Welsh Government - Net zero sector skills  

Welsh Government wants views on the skills needed to support our transition to net zero for each emission sector in Wales. Released 11/10/2023 - closes 31/12/2023.  

Consultations which closed in October 2023  

DfI - Eastern Transport Plan Engagement Survey  

DfI is preparing a new transport plan which will set the framework for making transport policy and investment decisions up until 2035. The Eastern Transport Plan (ETP) 2035, previously known as the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan (BMTP), covers five council areas and will also support the preparation of the Local Development Plans for these councils. Released 04/09/2023 - closed 30/10/2023.  

Oxfordshire County Council - Oxford zero emission zone pilot: scheme changes  

The Council consulted on proposed changes to the charging scheme in the zero-emission zone pilot (ZEZ pilot) in Oxford city centre. Released 12/09/2023 - closed 24/10/2023.  

London Councils - London Parking and Traffic Enforcement Penalty Charges Consultation  

Parking, bus lane and moving traffic penalty charges have not been reviewed since 2010 and many of the charges have not changed since 2007. The number of people receiving penalty charges has increased by 50% over the last 12 years and London Councils are concerned that the current penalty levels are not set high enough to act as a deterrent. Released 01/08/2023 - closed 23/10/2023.  

DVLA - Driver licensing for people with medical conditions: call for evidence  

This call for evidence helped identify areas where policy or legislative changes may be able to improve outcomes for drivers and other road users. Released 31/07/2023 - closed 22/10/2023.  

DVA - Changing the fees charged by Approved Tachograph Centres  

This consultation proposed changes to the fee structure to enable ATCs to receive a fair fee for the work they do. The DVA does not receive any portion of the fee collected; the DVA's work is funded separately via an annual licence fee. Released 21/08/2023 - closed 16/10/2023.  

DLUHC - Private parking code of practice: call for evidence  

The government sought to gather evidence to inform our review of parking charges and debt recovery fees in the private parking industry. Released 28/07/2023 - closed 08/10/2023.  

Multi-Department - Freight and logistics and the planning system: call for evidence  

Sought views on the interaction between freight and logistics and the planning system in England. Released 04/07/2023 - closed 06/10/2023.  

DLUHC - Freight and logistics and the planning system: call for evidence  

Sought views on the interaction between freight and logistics and the planning system in England. Released 04/07/2023 - closed 06/10/2023.  

Announcements, October 2023  

31/10/2023 - DVSA - Five million sign-ups to the MOT reminder service  

Five million people have now signed up for the MOT reminder service.  

26/10/2023 - Amendments to international merchant shipping requirements implemented into UK domestic law  

Amendments concerning damage stability in cargo ships, load line protocol and prevention of pollution by noxious liquid substances carried in bulk.  

26/10/2023 - DVSA -  Changes to DBS check requirements for MOT testers  

The required disclosure and barring service (DBS) basic checks for MOT testers will be changing from 8 January 2024.    

25/10/2023 - DfT - New laws to make charging an electric vehicle easier and quicker  

Regulations to improve the EV charging experience for millions of drivers.  

25/10/2023 - DfT - Vehicle licensing statistics: April to June 2023  

Licensed and registered motor vehicle statistics in Great Britain and the United Kingdom for April to June 2023.  

24/10/2023 - DfT - Zero emission heavy goods vehicles and infrastructure competition winners  

List of the winners receiving funding from the zero emission HGV and infrastructure competition, including project summaries.  

23/10/2023 - DfT - New £1.8 million competition launched to support innovative transport solutions  

The competition will award grants to businesses that seek to provide solutions to some of transport’s most pressing issues, including decarbonisation.    

19/10/2023 - DfT - Transport and environment statistics: 2023  

Environmental impacts of transport, including comparisons of greenhouse gas emissions for different transport modes.  

19/10/2023 - DfT - Government invests £200 million to drive innovation and get more zero emission trucks on our roads  

New funding will create new jobs and provide crucial infrastructure to help the haulage sector decarbonise.  

17/10/2023 - DVSA – Clarifying our message about vehicles imported from Japan  

DVSA would like to add some additional clarification for Japanese imported vehicles.  

16/10/2023 - OTC - Key Traffic Commissioner resources  

Helpful links to guidance from and publications by the Traffic Commissioners.  

16/10/2023 - DfT - The Public Service Obligations in Transport Regulations 2023  

This Statutory Instrument revokes and replaces Regulation (EU) 1370/2007 which sets out the conditions under which 'competent authorities' may award Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts for rail passenger services to train operating companies, as well as bus and tram concession services.  

15/10/2023 - DVSA - A new way to replace your MOT centre authorisation certificate (VT9)  

DVSA is changing the way you can replace your VT9 certificate if you've lost or damaged the original.  

12/10/2023 - DVSA - What DVSA’s strategy and vision looks like for vehicle testing  

Gordon Thomson explains what DVSA’s strategic plan to 2025 and vision to 2030 looks like for vehicle testing.  

12/10/2023 - DfT - HGV driver recruitment and retention rapid evidence assessment  

This rapid evidence assessment works to understand the range of barriers and enablers to recruitment and retention of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers.  

10/10/2023 - OZEV - Electric vehicle chargepoint and infrastructure specifications  

Chargepoint and infrastructure specifications and claim guidance for electric vehicle chargepoint and infrastructure grants.  

09/10/2023 - CCAV - Preparing the way for self-driving mass transit services in remote, rural, and urban areas  

Local authorities and regional transport operators will study how self-driving vehicle technology can improve local transport in remote, rural and urban areas.  

09/10/2023 - DBT - £89 million of funding to develop cutting edge new electric vehicle technology  

£89 million of funding has been awarded to 20 cutting edge net zero tech projects.  

05/10/2023 - DfT - EM on UK/EU TCA Specialised Committee decision (COM(2023)522)  

The government's summary of a UK/EU TCA Road Transport Specialised Committee decision.  

04/10/2023 - DfT – Network North   

A £36 billion plan to improve the transport that people use every day.  

04/10/2023 - DfT - Boost for Scotland and UK-wide transport connectivity  

Multibillion-pound plan to include funding for better links between the Cairnryan ferry terminals serving Northern Ireland and South-West Scotland.  

04/10/2023 - DfT - East of England to benefit from £6.5 billion transport investment  

Multibillion-pound plan to improve connectivity across the country includes funding to double passenger services from Ely to King’s Lynn and Ipswich to Peterborough.  

04/10/2023 - DfT - East Midlands to benefit from £9.6 billion transport investment  

Multibillion-pound plan to link major cities in the North via bus, rail and new and improved roads.  

04/10/2023 - DfT – North-East to benefit from £19.8 billion transport investment  

Multibillion-pound plan to link major cities in the North via bus, rail and new and improved roads.  

04/10/2023 - DfT - West Midlands to benefit from £9.6 billion transport investment  

Multibillion-pound plan to link major cities in the North via bus, rail and new and improved roads.  

04/10/2023 - DfT – South-West to benefit from £6.5 billion transport investment  

Multibillion-pound plan to improve connectivity across the country includes reopening rail services to Wellington and Cullompton.    

04/10/2023 - DfT - £1 billion to improve transport connectivity in Wales  

Plan to provide faster journey times across the UK includes bringing parts of North Wales within an hour of Manchester through an upgrade of the North Wales Main Line.  

04/10/2023 - DfT – South-East to benefit from £6.5 billion transport investment  

Multibillion-pound plan to link major cities via bus, rail and new and improved roads includes funding for South-East transport schemes.  

04/10/2023 - DfT – North-West to benefit from £19.8 billion transport investment  

Multibillion-pound plan to link major cities in the North via bus, rail and new and improved roads.  

04/10/2023 - Yorkshire and the Humber to benefit from £19.8 billion transport investment  

Multibillion-pound plan to link major cities in the North via bus, rail and new and improved roads.  

03/10/2023 - DVSA - Posting declaration: enforcement begins for EU drivers coming into the UK  

Posting declaration: enforcement begins for EU drivers coming into the UK.  

02/10/2023 - Future of Transport: supporting rural transport innovation  

How innovative and emerging transport technologies could benefit rural communities.  

02/10/2023 - DfT - Government launches plan to put drivers back in the driving seat  

New 30-point plan to support people’s freedom to use their cars and curb over-zealous enforcement measures.  

Published On: 02/11/2023 14:00:00