UK set to ditch set of EU driving laws because 'we have the freedom'

The UK could ditch a set of European Union driving laws, it has emerged. Transport Secretary Mark Harper has said the UK can "rethink" the regulation of the cars and vehicles on Britain's roads in the wake of the Brexit vote and European Union referendum.

Mr Harper said: “Now that the UK has left the EU, we can rethink vehicle regulation. We have the freedom to create a system that meets the needs of manufacturers and consumers in the UK. But that doesn’t mean we will cast aside the things that already work well.

"Type approval provides necessary regulatory certainty to manufacturers and ensures UK citizens can be confident that new vehicles are safe and environmentally sound and that enforcement action will be taken where non-compliances are found.”

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The Government has proposed three changes, including standardisation through the United Nations Economic Commission for Europ and a fflexible approach to recognising standards and testing elsewhere in the world.

The third and final change is to "explore the potential for bespoke domestic requirements or processes, where this benefits Great Britain". The first change looks at the regulations which cover between 75-80 per cent of subject areas for passenger vehicles in the GB type approval scheme.

The Department for Transport said it will continue to consult with the DVSA to come up with a finalised plan which will be rolled out later this year. Mr Harper said: "We’ve already made progress and established the foundations to develop our approach to vehicle regulation. A full GB type approval scheme entered into force in January 2023 to provide continuity and minimise cost."

The Transport Secretary and Conservative Party MP added: "This will eventually replace the existing provisional scheme that has been in place since Brexit, beginning with new models brought to market in February 2024."