With the coming in of Brexit, have there been multiple changes across the UK?

As anyone would have guessed there have been multiple changes regarding paperwork, legislation and general process across the UK with the announcement

14:21 15 November 2019

No matter whether the UK gets a deal with the EU or not, a lot of things aren’t going to be as they were. Some of these issues are being seen in terms of the vehicle registration processes that were presently followed. Currently, the laws implied that the same rules and documentation that governed the countries of the EU were valid in the UK, however, with the UK leaving the EU theywould have to create their own rules and govern themselves. This also meant that certain rules that were valid across the border, would no longer stand true.

 

One of the major changes taking place concerns the registration of the vehicles and drivers licences. According to the new rules, depending on the deal with the EU, drivers licences, vehicle insurance, and maintenance records might not be valid across the border. If an individual has a drivers licence in the UK, they could initially drive across the EU, however, post-Brexit that would not be the case. People who have licences registered in the UK, need to apply for international drivers licences if they are interested in driving in the EU. Additionally, vehicle insurance companies should be willing to support them while they are in the EU otherwise they have to apply for different insurance that covers them across the border.

 

Most importantly though, the MOT rules in the UK had to be updated to match international standards and this was a change that not many were happy about. The new MOT tests were revamped to such a high degree that one-third of all cars that went through them didn’t clear. Some of the new aspects that were handled were emissions. Multiple changes were made concerning diesel vehicles, with stricter tests. This didn’t come as a shock since the pollution norms tightened significantly. Certain areas didn't allow vehicles that are older than a particular age from passing through because of the amount of pollution and since their emissions did not match the standards. A new Diesel Particulate Filter (D.P.F.) has been introduced and all diesel vehicles needed to get it fitted.

 

A lot of new tests were added to the MOT and vehicles had to match the requirements. If tyre sare underinflated, brake fluid contaminated, or fluids that posed an environmental risk, leaking, vehicles would be rated poorly. There were stricter tests about brakes as well. Brake warning lights and brake pads or discs had to be in proper condition. Likewise, all vehicles manufactured post 1st September 2009 had to have reversing lights in place.

 

Overall, there were significant changes made to the certificates as well. The MOT certificate had a lot more information now than it did in the past. They were redesigned and new categories were mentioned which stated the condition of all cars, allowing people to understand whatneeded to be changed urgently and what could be delayed.