The poet TS Eliot once described April as the 'cruellest' month, and while we aren't quite in agreement that it is a cruel month, it certainly is one where a lot of things change.
Especially this year, when the start of April doesn't only mean the end of the tax year but now will see a change in covid restrictions, and a whole host of new laws for drivers according to Wales Online.
While many potential drivers have had to have a break from lessons due to the pandemic, they will be returning on April 26 - so we may see learners getting back behind the wheel.
Other things like taxes are also changing.
And if that's the case you need to know what is what!
Mobile phone ban
Strict new rules will come into place aimed at drivers who dare to use their mobile phone behind the wheel.
Drivers caught holding their phones could risk a £200 fine and six penalty points. The new ban replaces a loophole which allowed people to take photos and videos while driving without being penalised.
The consultation period for this new law ended on January 17 - so this should be coming into force in the next few months.
Purchase tax
The purpose of the tax is to make environmentally-friendly vehicles more affordable, while those whose cars emit more than 225gCO2/km will be required to pay a 50 per cent purchase tax from this year, which would increase in instalments.
Fuel duty freeze
This will once again be frozen for the new tax year, keeping at the same rate for a 10th year in a row.
Fuel duty is a tax currently stands at 57.95p per litre of petrol, diesel, biodiesel and bioethanol.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak faced calls in the run-up to the spring Budget to freeze or cut the tax.
VED
Vehicle Excise Duty is changing once more from April 2021.
The amount of tax you’ll pay will depend on your new car’s CO2 emissions. Those that emit no CO2 will cost you nothing to tax.
An increase in VED is not unexpected. Vehicle excise duty normally rises every year with inflation, which as of January 2021 was 0.7%.
You can see the full breakdown here:
|
CO2 emissions (g/km) |
First-year Rate | Standard (second-year) rate |
|---|---|---|
"Driverless" cars
Cars could come with new technology that help them drive automatically.
Some can already detect lanes, but the Automated Lane Keeping System (ALKS) Regulation would allow cars to take over control.
When activated, ALKS keeps a vehicle within its lane and controls its movements for extended periods of time.
But unlike driverless cars, the motorist must be ready and able to resume control when prompted by the vehicle.
Fuel Tax
This will once again be frozen for the new tax year, keeping at the same rate for a 10th year in a row.
Fuel duty is a tax currently stands at 57.95p per litre of petrol, diesel, biodiesel and bioethanol.
'Benefit in Kind'
Drivers may have to pay as much as £390 per year to use their vehicles due to BiKs reintroduction.
A 1% charge, based on income rates and vehicle value, could find many drivers with zero-emission models caught out, a charge that will likely increase to 2% in 2022.
This will once again be frozen for the new tax year, keeping at the same rate for a 10th year in a row.
Fuel duty is a tax currently stands at 57.95p per litre of petrol, diesel, biodiesel and bioethanol.
