A LOT of new driving legislation has come in recently or is coming down the road in 2018.

So here is a guide to what has changed and what’s on the horizon:

Driving tests

Driving tests were modified at the end of 2017 because road collisions are the biggest killers of young people between 15 and 24, so the test needed modernising to make it more relevant to today's driving.

Independent driving has been increased from 10 to 20 minutes to give the instructor time to see you can be in control of the vehicle.

You are also asked to follow directions from a sat nav at this point of the test to put you in the real-life scenario of driving.

The candidate must also answer two vehicle safety questions, known as the ‘show me, tell me' section. They might for example be asked while driving to use the rear heated screen.

Motorways

Learner drivers will also be allowed to drive on the motorway from later this year.

Motorway driving lessons will only be allowed with an approved driving instructor in a car with dual controls.

Andrew Jones, road safety minister, said: “Last year 1,732 people died on our roads. With over 90 per cent of road traffic collisions caused by human error.” And so this is a way of making sure drivers aren't as nervous once they have passed their test and know how to use motorways safely.

Diesel cars

From April 1 more than three million drivers will be affected by a tax hike on diesel cars. New cars will be divided into different CO2 bands and this will in turn determine hose much tax you will pay in the first year of owning the car.

This means that you could now pay anything from an extra £15 to £500 taxing a new diesel car compared to the standard vehicle excise duty charge. There are no new diesel cars on sale that meet the standards necessary, so at the moment they will all be subject to the increase.

Mobile phones

In March 2017, the penalties for using a handheld phone while driving increased to six points and a £200 fine. The case could also go to court and the maximum fine would be £1,000.

It’s also illegal to use a handheld phone or similar device when supervising a learner driver or rider.

Changes to MoT testing

As of May 20 it will be considerably harder to pass your MoT if your vehicle is older and not up to new emission standards.

Three failure ratings will be introduced by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency with defects and faults rated dangerous, minor or major. Minor faults may still pass the test, but they will be flagged on the MoT certificate alongside advisory notices, while cars that have major or dangerous defects will automatically fail the test.

Also, vehicles with damaged filters or parts that have been tampered with will be considered an automatic fail as well as the car giving out obvious exhaust fumes.

Children’s car seats

Children must use a child car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first.

Children over 12 or more than 135cm tall must wear a seatbelt.

Manufacturers have been stopped from introducing new models of backless booster seats for children weighing less than 22kg, or shorter than 125cm.

Height-based seats, known as ‘i-Size’ seats, must be rear-facing until your child is over 15 months old.

Did you know them all?