Driving - Changes In The Law

(From Saga Magazine)

Keep up-to-date and legal on the road with our guide to new rules and legislation that affect motorists. 

There have been a number of changes to motoring law enacted in 2015. As Sarah Sillars, chief executive officer of road safety charity IAM, puts it: “This year has seen some of the biggest changes in motoring procedures we have ever seen. It is very important drivers and riders are fully up-to-date on what is happening – they will affect everyone in one way or another.”

It’s a potential minefield – and, as ever, ignorance is no defence – so here is our guide to the changes that affect you and your car!

1. Driving licences

We’ve covered the changes to your driving licence in detail here but in brief, the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) will no longer be issuing the paper element of your driving licence. 

When you need to hire a car, or otherwise confirm whether or not you have penalty points on your licence, you have to obtain a ‘check code’ from the DVLA, which lets a third-party inspect your licence online. Following consultation, the length of time the check code is now valid for has been extended to 21 days.

2. Paying for your VED

Most people are now aware that, as of the 1 October 2014, you no longer have to display a tax disc in the windscreen of your car but not everyone knows that you can now pay for your VED (or vehicle excise duty) in monthly instalments via Direct Debit, making it easier to budget for.

Read more about the changes to the tax disc.

3. Selling a secondhand car

New rules brought in in 2015 mean that you must cash in the VED (or car tax) on your car when you sell it, leaving the new owner to buy his or her own. 

The refund is automatically issued when the DVLA receives the completed V5 (vehicle registration document) telling it that you have sold, scrapped, exported or declared SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) on your car.

4. Middle lane hog fine

The £1,000 ‘middle lane hog’ fine levied on a motorist in Yorkshire was a result of a tweak to existing laws that enable the police to issue a fixed penalty notice (or FPN) to drivers it believes are driving inconsiderately by committing offences such as  ‘tailgating’, ‘undertaking’, or refusing to move from an overtaking lane when the road ahead is clear.

Read more about penalties for careless and inconsiderate driving.

5. Drug driving 

It has been an offence since March 2015 to drive under the influence of illegal drugs, such as cannabis, LSD and cocaine – a common-sense move that few would argue against. 

However, the legislation, which affects drivers in England and Wales, also includes some prescribed drugs such as diazepam, methadone and morphine. 

If you are unsure whether your medication falls under the new law, you should seek advice from your doctor as those convicted of the offence will face an automatic driving ban, an unlimited fine, a possible jail sentence and a criminal record, bringing the offence in line with existing drink drive laws.

6. Smoking

It will be an offence in England to smoke in a car containing anyone under the age of 18 from 1 October 2015. Anyone flouting the law could face a fine of up to £50.

7. Speed limits

The speed limit for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in England and Wales has recently been raised from 40mph to 50mph on single carriageways and from 50mph to 60mph on dual carriageways. 

8. Drink Driving laws in Scotland

The blood alcohol limit for drink driving in Scotland was lowered to 50mg per 100ml of blood in December 2014. The rest of the UK stayed at 80mg per 100ml. 

For even more useful motoring hints and tips, visit the motoring section on the Saga Magazine website. 

For Holsure Travel Insurance Driving quotes - click HERE

Road/Rail Travel and Travel Insurance

For many, the journey is as important as the arrival...

Did you know that the majority of Travel Insurance Claims are based around Air Travel? Lost baggage, delayed or cancelled flights, incidents at airports or on the way to or from airports, lost deposits, lost passports, phones, laptops, ipads - all these incidents revolve around the one part of the holiday that most of us hate.

Travelling to the Continent by road/ferry or road/rail removes a huge part of stress for many travellers and at Holsure we have returning customers who travel by road purely to avoid airports and air travel. For some too, the journey is part of the break, the driving, the organisation of the accommodation and even the mapping out of the route is all a part of the holiday - you can't often say that about the two hour check in wait at the UK's airports or the mad scramble for trolleys at Baggage Reclaim. Air Travel doesn't have the romance of Road Travel - after all who dreams of flying across the United States - wouldn't you rather drive on Route 66, or cruise through the Rockies in an RV, or take the Amtrak across the Continental US?

So, for some the dream of seeing the real Europe involves the driving option, the need to get among the locals and stop where and when the fancy takes you. For some the journey is the holiday, the driving, the planning, the local involvement at ground level and the integration with ones surroundings - not just at the Package Holiday Hotel. I have always enjoyed the drive to our friends in Holland and would much prefer to drive to Scotland than fly. For me, part of this is the convenience of taking what I need on holiday rather than what baggage weight restrictions dictate, but I also love the ability to stop where I want - and the greatest tip I can give anyone in this position is to come OFF the Motorway, Highway or Autobahn and take your coffee and lunch breaks in a TOWN and not in some Motorway Service Area. It doesn't add much extra time to the journey but it can add some magical memories. Have you ever, and I mean, EVER had a wonderful meal or magical memory in a Service Station?

The other good news about road travel is that Travel Insurance is very reasonable. Without the need to cover the Air and Airport problem areas, insurance policies are cheap, whether you require one day or one month travel insurance we, at Holsure, can provide you with full Insurance Cover and European Breakdown Cover for minimal cost ensuring that your holiday plans -  including the memorable journey - are fully covered.

Odd Notes and Travel Tips

Did you know it's illegal to take bottled water into Nigeria or wear camouflage in Barbados - even bathing shorts? 

No? Well, that's why at Holsure we advocate research before holidays, but we also thought we'd put up some lesser known facts about Travel Insurance too.

Don't wait to take your Insurance Policy out until just before your trip - if you do, you risk not being able to recover any costs you have already incurred if you j=have to cancel. It makes sense to take out your Policy when you book your vacations - you will then be covered for any losses that may occur - including deposits.

Taking a Caravan or Trailer abroad?  Be aware that some European Motoring Breakdown Assistance policies levy a hefty surcharge for covering them on your policy. A few, such as Holsure, charge only a modest fee.

If you are travelling more than once a year even in the UK  and your trip is pre-booked, it will probably be cheaper to buy an annual policy rather than a series (or even two) single policies.

If Travelling to Europe never forget your European Health Insurance Card - in fact keep it with your passport. You'll need it if you have to attend a local hospital or visit a Doctor.

Please keep reading our blog for future fun and important tips about your Travel and visit our website for a look around.....HERE

Driving In Europe

Who can deny the freedom afforded by a touring holiday in Europe? The open roads, the ability to stop at every gob-smacking viewpoint, café or restaurant; choosing your overnight stops as you go and changing route plans as you wish - these are all advantages of touring Europe in your own car, caravan or camper.

Imagine the ability to re-route your holiday as thunder storms approach the South of France to detour towards Barcelona and the Spanish sun; or extend your journey through Munich and on to Salzburg just because you can. My wife and I once drove from Apeloorn, where we had been working, into Munster and then to Dortmund where I was born, just because we had a few days free and wanted to see some of Germany and taste some good German food.

I would much rather drive into Europe than fly or take the train, although I have done both and enjoyed Eurostar and the European flights from England - it's just that driving allows you to pack more (including the fishing tackle) and allow for contingencies. I also think it can be cheaper to drive and find your own accommodation at prices you can afford. The same with restaurants and your itinerary.

Yet, whilst budgeting may be important, please do not scrimp on Breakdown Cover or European Travel Insurance. Remember, too to take your EHIC card - more on that HERE

Breakdown cover for your vehicle is as essential as ensuring that you are your family are covered for accidents and health issues while abroad. The cost of recovering a vehicle from Europe to the UK can be exorbitant as can car repair costs when you include accommodation for all the family - don't be caught out - it can be very reasonable to cover your vehicle for a two week tour.

At Holsure, with Green Flag our Breakdown cover includes the following:

• Handled in European call centres
• Complete Roadside assistance
• Free translation service
• Repatriates your vehicle to the UK
• No Call Out charges
• Covers everyone on your holiday
• Optional cover for Caravans, Trailers & Motor Homes
• Covers all cars and motorcycles up to 16 yrs old     

Also, our cover starts from under £40 for 14 days, making it one of the best value policies available.

Please take a look at our web site to compare our cover and costs - HERE