This week marked the occasion when the MoT test potentially became more expensive for everyone.

As previously blogged, changes in the test were introduced in January 2012 to reflect the complexity of modern motors. Click here to read more »

A report into drug driving by a commissioned panel of medical experts has been heralded as “the biggest step forward” in the debate about how to deal with the problem.

But not everyone agrees with the findings. Click here to read more »

Almost exactly a year ago we warned readers in advance that they would soon need to carry breathalysers in their vehicle when travelling through France, or else face fines.

Then in October the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) said that although the law had been rolled out, the fines that were due to begin the following month were delayed until March. Click here to read more »

Plans for an 80mph speed limit on motorways continue apace. Last week the Department for Transport responded to a Commons Select Committee report out earlier this year, which asked it to stop dithering about and explain its strategy.

The DfT says it is still developing the proposals and that it wants to trial the increased speed limit “on motorways in some areas, under certain conditions, where variable speed limits are currently in place.”

It adds that additional work is being done to figure out how exactly the police would enforce different speed limits in various locations. Click here to read more »

Nearly half of motorists who clock up 12 points on their licence are still able to drive, according to a survey out this week. The road safety charity Brake and Direct Line Insurers have joined forces to commission a research study on the subject.

The figures do fluctuate, but the study has flagged up that more than 10,000 drivers have retained their licence despite totting up more than twelve points.

When a licence holder reaches 12 points the Magistrates must disqualify for a minimum period of 6 months. To escape a ban the driver and their Solicitor must present to the court an Exceptional Hardship argument . Click here to read more »

To mark the start of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety a campaign to overhaul the learning to drive system in this country has been launched. Road safety charity Brake’s ‘Too Young to Die’ campaign urges the government to introduce graduated driver licensing (GDL) in an effort to curb some of the more reckless driving behaviour exhibited by younger people.
Click here to read more »