Drivers are set to be faced with a whole raft of new regulations from the DVLA in 2022 as the Highway Code undergoes changes.
New rules, which come into force in the new year, aim to make the roads safer for all while reducing the carbon footprint of driving following COP26.
Some of the new DVLA regulations will clamp down on the use of mobile phones at the wheel while others aim to protect vulnerable people in the UK.
Read on for important changes to driving and car regulations in the UK in 2022, rounded up by Auto Trader.
Use of your mobile phone at the wheel
Currently, texting or calling while driving is illegal, but now restrictions will tighten further over mobile phone use in 2022.
It will now become an offence to play games on your phone, take pictures and videos and change songs on your playlist, even if you're stationary at a red light.
Breaking the rules could land you with six points on your licence and £200 penalty.
You can still use your phone for directions if it is hands-free.
Red diesel and rebated biofuels to become illegal
These new rules will affect businesses over individuals, restricting the lawful use of red diesel and rebated biofuels from April 1, 2022.
Red diesel is mostly used off-road, for machinery such as bulldozers and cranes.
The restrictions hope to promote more sustainable fuels in the fight to reach the UK's 2050 climate targets.
Changes to Highway Code
New regulations Rule H1, Rule H2 and Rule H3 will come into force from January 29, 2022.
The rules rank road users according to how at-risk they are in the event of a collision.
Pedestrians, particularly children and vulnerable people are defined as most likely to be injured, followed by cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders.
Rule H1 says that drivers of large goods and passenger vehicles bear the greatest responsibility to take care on the road, followed by vans/minibuses, cars/taxis and motorcycles. Cyclists, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles also have a responsibility to reduce danger to pedestrians.
Rule H2 requires drivers to give way to pedestrians at junctions as well as zebra, light controlled, and parallel crossings.
Rule H3 requires drivers to give priority to cyclists when they are turning into or out of a junction, or changing direction or lane.
Find out more information here.
