Six driving law changes in May set to affect millions of drivers Drivers are being warned over a shake-up on roads across the country, with road users urged to exercise caution and brush up on their knowledge of each. Six driving law changes in May set to affect millions of drivers Six driving law changes are set to hit in May 2025 - with motorists up and down the country warned. Drivers are being warned over a shake-up on roads across the country, with road users urged to exercise caution and brush up on their knowledge of each. If your VAT-registered business incurs VAT on motoring expenses, particularly fuel used for both business and private journeys, you're impacted. ‌ "The VAT road fuel scale charge calculates VAT due to HMRC on road fuel for vehicles used for both business and private purposes. This method allows you to reclaim input tax on fuel without having to keep detailed records of the split of business and private uses of the vehicle," said Carolyn O'Shea, VAT and Indirect Tax Senior Manager. ‌ READ MORE 39 counties in England at risk of 'power cuts' in 29C UK heatwave To help drivers deal with the countless motoring changes, Birmingham Live has rounded up the most important new rules you need to be aware of. Petrol prices - May 1 HMRC have published new VAT road fuel scale fees which come into effect today. The VAT road fuel scale charge rates will increase with effect from 1 May 2025. You should use the new rates from the start of the next prescribed accounting period beginning on or after 1 May 2025. If your VAT return quarter starts prior to 1 May 2025, you should continue to use the previous rates for this return and use the new rates from the start of the next VAT return period. Article continues below Review your accounting software to ensure it is compatible with the new rates Determine if the output tax payable on the vehicles outweighs the benefit of recovering the VAT on the fuel purchase. Get in touch with the MHA VAT team if you have any questions or would like personalised guidance. Parking - May 26 New changes to parking arrangements will come into effect at Cheshire East car parks on 26 May. ‌ Changes at council-operated car parks as of this date will include: Parking charges will be extended by four hours to cover the period 8am-10pm. Parking charges will apply on Sundays – based on the weekday tariffs for each car park. A new tariff band will be introduced that will allow motorists to purchase parking for up to 14 hours. There will be an increase in some parking charges and permits, which reflects the tariffs charged by similar councils. As an example, low tariff bands will see an increase of 10 pence per hour. The council’s ‘free after 3pm’ initiative will remain in operation at one car park in each of Cheshire East’s towns and villages. At these specific car parks, ‘free after 3pm’ also applies on Sundays. ‌ Details of the changes will be available via our website and will also be publicised in car parks. Zero-emission vehicle mandate - May According to the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate set out by the UK government, car makers need 28% of their car sales to be fully electric in 2025 (up from 22% in 2024). However, many manufacturers are struggling to reach that target (the current market share of EVs is around 18%), and there have been rumours that the mandate could be changed. ‌ For now, the strong push towards an electrified future will continue into 2025 to try and reach that magic number (which grows incrementally to 80% in 2030 and 100% in 2035). FCA car finance update - May Millions of motorists could be in line for compensation payouts if they were mis-sold finance agreements when buying a car. Investigations are ongoing into activities by dealers and lenders – some of which have now been banned – which could eventually lead to an industry-wide payout scheme to consumers. ‌ A significant Court of Appeal decision may extend compensation to a wider group of people, prompting huge debate among consumers and policymakers. The Supreme Court will soon hear an appeal of that ruling. HGVs - May Drivers operating heavy goods vehicles in Greater London will need to obtain a safety permit before operating or they could face a penalty charge notice. Motorists now need to install the Progressive Safe System for zero, one and two star-rated HGVs. The original deadline was October 28, but drivers have been given a six-month grace period to obtain an HGV safety permit. Tariffs - May President Donald Trump's auto tariffs took effect from April 2 at a rate of 25 per cent on cars and vehicle parts being imported into the United States. Article continues below In recent days, President Trump has hinted that he could ease tariffs on US carmakers by easing some duties on imported vehicle parts to support the "great American workers".