Legislation update – August 2022

DfT – L-category vehicles: ending sales of new non-zero emission models 

Proposes ending new non-zero emission L-category vehicles sales by 2035, and 2030 for other specified vehicles. Also seeks views on exemptions, enforcement and alternative fuel use. Released 14/07/2022 – closes 21/09/2022. 

DfT – Domestic maritime decarbonisation: the course to net zero emissions 

Invites views on routes to net zero and how best to accelerate decarbonisation in the domestic maritime sector. Released 14/07/2022 – closes 06/10/2022. 

Home Office – Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme 

The Home Office is consulting on new regulations related to vehicle security and a new Level of Penalty: Code of Practice. Released 18/07/2022 – closes 12/09/2022. 

Welsh Government – National transport delivery plan: 2022 to 2027 

The Welsh Government wants your views on its draft national transport delivery plan. Released 19/07/2022 – closes 11/10/2022. 

Cabinet Office – The UK Single Trade Window: Consultation on Features to Inform Design and Legislation 

In December 2020, the government published the UK Border Strategy. This consultation sets out the Cabinet Office’s vision for the UK border to be the most effective in the world. Released 21/07/2022 – closes 15/09/2022. 

DfT – Strategic road network and the delivery of sustainable development updates 

DfT is proposing changes to a circular that explains how National Highways will engage with the planning system. It also gives details on how National Highways will fulfil its remit to be a delivery partner for sustainable economic growth whilst maintaining, managing and operating a safe and efficient strategic road network. Released 21/07/2022 – closes 15/09/2022.  

Consultations which closed in July 

TfL – Improving air quality and Londoners’ health, tackling climate change and reducing congestion 

TfL consulted on proposals to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) London-wide on 29 August 2023. These proposals are part of the commitment by the Mayor of London and TfL to help improve air quality and public health, tackle the climate emergency and reduce traffic congestion across Greater London. Released 20/05/2022 – closed 29/07/2022.  

DfT – Exemptions to 2035 phase-out date for the sale of new non-zero emission HGVs 26 tonnes and under 

Call for evidence on possible exemptions to the 2035 phase-out date for the sale of new, non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) weighing 26 tonnes and under. Released 12/05/2022 – closed 22/07/2022.  

European Commission – Commercial vehicles – weights and dimensions (evaluation) 

To reach the full potential of the single market and to reduce transport greenhouse emissions, it might be necessary to revise of the weights and dimensions directive. This will help deliver the European Green Deal and will be a crucial element of the implementation of the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy.  This consultation gathered views and evidence about the potential impact (positive and negative) of the possible measures and policy options. Released 26/04/2022 - closed 19/07/2022. 

Multi Department – HGV levy reform options: environmental charging and liability changes for foreign vehicles 

Proposed introducing a replacement HGV levy in which carbon dioxide emissions, estimated according to the weight of the vehicle, are taken into account. Released 20/06/2022 – closes 18/07/2022. 

HMT – Potential Reforms to UK’s Capital Allowance Regime 

Ahead of the end of the super-deduction next year, the government considered reforms to best support business investment, seeking to work with firms on capital allowances to help foster a new culture of enterprise and growth in the UK. Released 09/05/2022 – closed 01/07/2022. 

Announcements, July 2022 

29/07/2022 – DfT – City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements: confirmed delivery plans and funding allocations 

Letters to metro mayors and confirmed delivery plans for the city regions currently eligible for a share of the £5.7 billion City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements. 

28/07/2022 – DfT – Seatbelt and mobile phone use surveys: 2021 

Driver mobile phone use and seatbelt wearing rates for 2021 (updating previous figures covering 2017). 

28/07/2022 – DfT – Reported road casualties in Great Britain, final estimates involving illegal alcohol levels: 2020 

Final 2020 statistics on drink-drive collisions and casualties.

28/07/2022 – DfT – Linking police and fire road collision data: an initial feasibility study 

A feasibility study of linking police reported road collision data with Home Office data on road vehicle collisions attended by fire and rescue services. 

28/07/2022 – DVSA – Highway Code: updated sentences for driving offences 

The Highway Code has been updated following a change in the law that affects the sentences for some driving offences. The updates are to the penalties for:  

·         causing death by dangerous driving; 

·         causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs. 

27/07/2022 – DfT – Port freight annual statistics: 2021 

Annual statistics on the UK port freight traffic for 2021. 

26/07/2022 – DfT – History made as Dorothy – HS2’s state-of-the-art tunnel boring machine – completes the project’s first tunnel after 8 months underground 

Historic breakthrough on London to Birmingham route. 

22/07/2022 – DfT – £1.5 million to boost recruitment into the aviation sector 

New funding to develop skills and careers to support the future of the aviation industry. 

21/07/2022 – BEIS – New law in place to allow businesses to hire agency workers to plug staffing gaps caused by strike action 

A new law is now in place that will enable businesses impacted by industrial action to plug staffing gaps with agency workers. 

21/07/2022 – DfT – Active Travel England: framework document for working with Department for Transport 

Framework explaining how Active Travel England will work with the Department for Transport. 

21/07/2022 – BEIS – Flying taxis and vaccine carrying drones: £12 million fund opens for regulators to drive innovation across the UK 

A new £12 million fund will support regulators and local authorities develop initiatives that help businesses bring innovative products and services to market. 

20/07/2022 – DVLA – DVLA announces change in the law to enable more healthcare professionals to complete medical questionnaires 

The law has changed to enable healthcare professionals other than doctors to complete DVLA medical questionnaires 

20/07/2022 – DfT – Regulations to increase the supply of renewable transport fuels of non-biological origin 

Draft regulations amending The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation Order 2007. 

20/07/2022 – DfT – DfT: annual report and accounts 2021 to 2022 

Department for Transport’s consolidated results for the year ended 31 March 2022. 

19/07/2022 – OTC – Traffic Commissioners: annual report 2021 to 2022 

Annual report about major aspects of the Traffic Commissioners' judicial, regulatory and administrative roles between 2021 and 2022. 

19/07/2022 – DVSA – DVSA annual review, 2021 to 2022 

What Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) staff achieved in 2021 to 2022, and how they made a difference to road safety. 

19/07/2022 – DfT – Transport fuel greenhouse gas reporting 

Guidance for UK transport fuel suppliers on the reporting requirements to meet legislative requirements. 

19/07/2022 – DfT – Evaluation of roads reform 

Reports evaluating whether changes to the management and operation of England’s strategic road network, introduced in 2015, have been implemented as intended. 

19/07/2022 – DfT – Transport update: Transpennine route upgrade 

Additional funding has been made available for the Transpennine route upgrade. 

19/07/2022 – Multi Department – Sky’s the limit as UK sets out strategy to reach net zero aviation and deliver guilt-free flying 

Jet Zero strategy commits UK domestic aviation to achieving net zero emissions by 2040, and for all airports in England to be zero-emission by the same year.

19/07/2022 – DfT – Jet Zero strategy: delivering net zero aviation by 2050 

The framework and plan for achieving net zero aviation by 2050. 

19/07/2022 – DfT – Transport Secretary more than trebles investment for rail in the north to over £9 billion 

Major boosts to funding for rail route upgrades in the north. 

15/07/2022 – DHSC – JCVI updated statement on the COVID-19 vaccination programme for autumn 2022 

Advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on the coronavirus (COVID-19) autumn booster programme for 2022. 

15/07/2022 – DfT – Dual registration for specialist events hauliers 

How to use the dual registration measure if you are a specialist event haulier. 

14/07/2022 – OTC – Major update to the Goods Vehicle Operator Licensing Guide 

The Goods Vehicle Operator Licensing Guide has been revised and updated to reflect changes in legislation and brought into line with accessibility criteria. 

14/07/2022 – DfT – National Highways performance report 2021 to 2022 

The Secretary of State for Transport's report to Parliament on the performance of National Highways between 2021 and 2022. 

14/07/2022 – DfT – Vehicle licensing statistics: January to March 2022 

Licensed and registered motor vehicle statistics in Great Britain and the United Kingdom for January to March 2022. 

14/07/2022 – DfT – Decarbonising transport: one-year-on review 

Summary of progress made delivering the Transport Decarbonisation Plan. 

13/07/2022 – DfT – Taxi and private hire vehicle statistics, England: 2022 

The number of licensed taxis and private hire vehicles in England and Wales at the end of March 2022. 

12/07/2022 – OTC – Goods vehicle operator licensing guide 

Overview of the vehicle operator licensing system. 

12/07/2022 – DfT – Government THINK! campaign launched to improve road safety for those most at risk 

The ‘Travel Like You Know Them’ campaign promotes recent changes to the Highway Code, improving road safety for people walking, cycling and horse riding. 

01/07/2022 – DVSA – A new section for self-driving vehicles has been added to the Highway Code 

From 1 July, new rules on the use of self-driving vehicles in Great Britain came into force. The changes are included in a new section in The Highway Code. 

01/07/2022 – DfT – Most significant change to taxi and private hire vehicle accessibility legislation in 12 years 

New laws to protect disabled people in England, Scotland and Wales when travelling in taxis and PHVs.