Would a green number plate help you spot an electric car?
A new government-backed proposal is suggesting that ultra-low emissions vehicles (ULEVs) are given a different coloured number plate to the standard yellow used across most vehicles. Introducing green license plates to these green vehicles would allow them to be easily recognised on the roads. Giving them access to specific eco-friendly bus lanes and free parking spaces in some areas.
Similarly, countries that have already gone ahead with a registration colouring system for electric vehicles are Canada, China and Norway. Furthermore, there are a few different ways we could choose to design these number plates here in the UK. The registration plate could be completely green or just have a green section, or possibly even a simple green dot or a specific green symbol.
This is currently under consultation with the British government, as they decide on:
Vehicle eligibility
Design
Roll-out
Enforcement
These changes will highlight the green vehicles on the road, helping to normalise the introduction of electric, hybrid and low-emission cars. Easily recognisable green number plates would help the authorities to spot these vehicles when using priority lanes and parking.
What do you think about this potential change? Here at motorly, we think it’s a great way to spot the range of electric and hybrid vehicles on the roads. Possibly even encouraging some people towards going electric – who may not have even considered it previously. This could lead to reduced emissions and increased air quality throughout the UK.
A thumbs up from us ?
You can respond to this consultation on the gov.uk website. For more information on how to submit your thoughts online or via post click here.
If you’re already thinking about going electric, we’ve put together the pros & cons to help you decide here.
Car insurance can be confusing, especially because there are a huge variety of policy types and add-ons available nowadays. It is important to understand what you are and are not covered for by your policy, and especially not to assume that you are covered for something you are not sure about as your premiums could increase, or claims could be rejected if you do so. Below we will outline some of the most common car insurance misconceptions to help you avoid falling into any traps.
“Non-fault’ and ‘non blame’ is the same thing”
In the case of car accidents, the terms “fault” and “blame” do not mean the same thing although they are often mistakenly used interchangeably. “Non-fault” means that your insurer has been able to recover part of the cost of the claim from somebody else and this is not always related to who was the blame for the accident. If your insurer is unable to claim back any money, this is an “at-fault” claim.
Another common misconception is that even if the claim you made was a “non-fault” claim, your insurance premium will not increase when you renew it. This is still a possibility because insurers will often perceive there to be a greater chance of someone making an “at-fault” claim if they have made a “non-fault” claim in the past.
“You don’t need to inform your insurer about every accident you have”
Sometimes in the event of a car accident, it is cheaper to pay for repairs yourself and you may not want to affect your no claims bonus by making a claim. However, even if you do not want to make a claim about an accident you have had, you are still obliged to inform your insurer in writing. You should make it clear that this is information only and that you do not wish to make a claim so that your insurer does not settle the matter with the other driver’s insurer without you knowing.
It is also important to note that most insurance policies will require you to inform the insurer of any accidents within a certain timeframe, even if you are not planning to make a claim and not doing so, could result in that insurance company refusing to provide you with cover in the future.
“Claiming on somebody else’s policy won’t affect yours”
All claims that are made either on your own car insurance policy or on somebody else’s, can cause your premiums to increase in the future. An “at-fault” claim will understandably affect it much more than a “non-fault” claim will and you could also experience an increase even if you don’t make a claim at all. However, claiming on somebody else’s policy will not affect your no claims bonus and you won’t have to pay any excess.
“You are always entitled to a courtesy car”
Many comprehensive car insurance policies will include a courtesy car in the event that you are left without yours as a result of an accident or repairs however there are some conditions that could prevent you from getting one. For example, if your car is “written off” i.e. it is damaged beyond repair, you probably won’t be able to get a courtesy car. It is often the case as well, that your access to a courtesy car is subject to the condition that you take your car to a pre-approved garage that the insurer has selected.
It is also important to remember that if you have an accident whilst you are driving the courtesy car, the level of cover that you are protected by will match that of your standard insurance policy. This means that you will be required to pay out any excess if it needs to be repaired, however the same rules of “non-fault”/”at-fault” claims will apply and you could get a second courtesy car too.
“Comprehensive cover allows you to drive any car”
It is a common assumption that having fully comprehensive cover permits you to drive somebody else’s car however this is not always the case and shouldn’t be regarded as a given. Some comprehensive insurance policies will include DOC (driving other cars) cover, which gives you the minimum third party cover when driving cars that are not registered on your policy, however, this is not always the case. Usually, you will have to add on DOC to your policy and pay extra for it.
In addition, the belief that as soon as you turn 25, you’ll automatically have DOC on your policy is also a myth – some insurers won’t include it on the renewal until you are 25 however you will still have to ask to have it added on.
“Putting your policy under your parent’s name will reduce your premium”
This is also called “fronting” and refers to when you put a parent’s name down as the main driver of the vehicle on your policy in order to make premiums cheaper. It sounds like it makes sense, putting down the name of someone with a lot more driving experience and a good few years of no claims is bound to lower your premiums. However, not only is this an illegal practice, it can also cost you thousands of pounds. If you are discovered to be fronting, your insurer can refuse to pay out for claims and costs may have to be recovered directly from the parent. What’s more, if a claim is rejected, the young driver could be considered to be uninsured and be given a very hefty fine, penalty points and even a driving ban as a result. They’ll have to declare this on any future applications which will make it harder and much more expensive to get insurance.
“You don’t need to inform your insurer if you get a new job”
If you get a new job, you are legally obliged to inform your insurer as it could affect your premium. If you fail to declare this change, your insurance policy could become invalidated. This is because your occupation is one of the things that insurers consider when calculating your premium, and even the most minor change can have an affect on how high risk they perceive you to be. For example, someone like a student or a delivery courier is likely to have a higher premium than an office worker or schoolteacher as they have a higher chance of making a claim.
There are many tips and tricks we’ve picked up in the industry that can help to reduce the cost of insurance. See if you can bring your policy down with these ten top tips.
1. Compare Policies
Shopping around can save you hundreds of pound each year! It’s easy to stick with the same provider and let your insurance policy roll over year after year. Be sure to compare quotes and find the best insurance deal for you.
2. Pay Annually
It may be more difficult to find the money to pay your insurance in one lump sum. A good tactic for this is to put the money to one side every month, as you would pay your bill. Then when the annual payment comes around you have the full amount. Hopefully, your policy will have gone down as long as you haven’t had any unfortunate incidents occur. Who knows, you might even have a little left to treat yourself with! A new bike accessory perhaps?
3. Add or Lose Riders
Depending on your experience as a rider, it may work out cheaper for you to add a more experienced biker. Or, you may have another person on your policy who may be raising the price for you. Equally, you may want to remove this person to bring the cost of our policy in line with your preferred budget.
4. Lock Your Bike
This may sound simple. But by proving to insurance companies that your bike is locked away safety, particularly at night, will lower the cost of your policy. It is a good idea to invest in a sturdy lock too. Decent locks also act as a deterrent to thieves.
5. Avoid Modifying
Unnecessary modifications can hinder the cost of an insurance policy. This is true across most vehicles, including cars and bikes. Modifying a vehicle can often be done with the intention of making the vehicle faster, and mostly this means the vehicle, therefore, becomes more dangerous. Bringing a higher potential for accidents.
6. Take Courses
Additional courses can give a rider extra experience, which will be taken into account by insurance providers. Any extra qualifications you can get in regards to driving will help to bring your policy down in price.
7. Buy a Smaller, Older Bike
The older your bike is, and the smaller the engine can contribute to having a lower cost of an insurance policy. This is not always the case when taking some classic bikes into account. But generally, a bike with a smaller engine will be easier to insure. Again, this is similar to most car insurance policies too.
8. Watch Mileage
Be aware of the miles you are travelling. Take into account the mileage of a bike before you decide to go ahead and purchase it. An older bike with higher mileage may be considered to be less safe than a new bike, and therefore cost more to insure. Hopefully, all bikes are safe, even with all mileage – but it this would be taken into consideration with insurance companies.
9. Build No-Claims
Building up your no-claims bonus will help to drop your insurance policy. This applies across all vehicle policies too. Bikers always do their best to avoid accidents as they tend to be the ones that come out of accident worse off, due to the lack of protection. So being especially careful when driving will not only keep you safe but also save you money.
10. Only Pay For What You Need
There are plenty of extras that can be added on to insurance policies. Not all of them are needed. Make sure that you are only paying for what you use. For example, if you have added a rider to your policy but they no longer ride then removing them may bring our policy down. Find out all about insurance extras, and what you do and don’t need here.
Find & compare the best bike insurance quotes with motorly here.
Did you know that the price of your car insurance can change depending on where you live in the UK?
Most expensive areas
London
Manchester
Birmingham
Yorkshire
Northern Ireland
If you live in London then you could be paying 50% more than the rest of the country! Manchester is a close second, followed by Birmingham, Yorkshire and finally Northern Ireland. In London, you could be paying over £1,100 a year for your car insurance policy depending on your area, this is over £350 more than the rest of the UK. In Manchester you could be paying over £800 a year for your policy which is 14% higher than the national average.
In contrast, we have also collected the cheapest places for car insurance in the UK. Drivers in Bristol and Devon can see payments as low as £550 a year, which is over a quarter less than the national average.
Cheapest areas for car insurance
Bristol
Scotland
Wales
South East
North East
However, you don’t have to move home to get your policy to come down in price. There are just a few things that you can do to bring the cost of your policy down.
Compare & save. Make sure you go to a few different insurance providers or use a broker that compares deals to find the best one for you – such as motorly. There are also aspects of your policy that you can change which can affect your policy, such as, adding or removing drivers, avoiding modifying your vehicle and building up a no-claims bonus.
Autumn months see the most rainfall in the UK than any other time of year. It is important to make sure your vehicle is prepared, due to the drastic change in weather and road conditions. To keep you and your vehicle safe, we recommend you check the following elements of your vehicle:
Tyre pressure & tread
Check your tyre pressure after each long journey. Make sure tyres are at a safe level to tackle troublesome wet roads. Roads at this time of year are wet and covered in dangerous, slippery leaves. If tyre tread depth is below 2-3mm, we recommended replacing the tyres to ensure safe driving. If tyre tread falls below 1.6mm, this is illegal. Adding winter tyres to your car for extra protection is an option. Winter tyres boast added safety features, due to having four times more traction than regular tyres.
Bulbs & lights
Check bulbs and lights are working throughout your car. At this time of year, dark nights are starting to draw in faster. You don’t want to be heading home on a dimly lit night and the fog lights go out, or worse they break completely. Mornings will start to become darker, this is even more reason to be sure you inspect all your lights. Also give the lights a good clean to make sure they are as clear as possible when you have them on, both for your sake and for that of other road users.
Window wipers
Check your wipers blades work and are in good condition. We don’t pay enough attention to window wipers as drivers – until they break! The recommended time to replace them is once a year. So if you can’t remember the last time you changed them – it’s time to pick up a new set. You can purchase window wipers at a relatively low price. They are a motoring item that if they broke during a pour down of rain, then you could be in real trouble. This is an element of driving that we take for granted. If your wipers broke on a rainy day, then this is really dangerous and could easily cause an accident due to poor visibility.
Fluid levels
Make sure that engine fluid levels are all correct and over the minimum suggested. This will help your car run smoothly. Keep extra window wash with you, in your boot along with a car safety kit. Having extra wiper fluid will help them to work at their best. If they do start to struggle, pull over safely and use the spare fluid, allowing your view to become clearer and safer. Whilst checking fluid levels you can even go the extra mile and top up with winter-specific fluids. Then you will be well and truly ahead of the curve!
These are just a few Autumn driving tips from the team at motorly. To give your car a full and thorough check, book in with your local garage, who will be able to organise an Autumn health check for your vehicle.
Whether riding solo or with others, road tripping is one of the best ways to discover the world. Towering snow-topped mountains, glistening emerald coastlines and vast desert landscapes are some of the most breath-taking backdrops to the world’s 11 million miles of road. Let your daydreams run wild with our roundup of the world’s most scenic drives:
Pacific Coast Highway One, California
The Pacific Coast Highway spans over 600 miles along California’s coastline. Linking San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Morro Bay, and San Diego to name a few, you’ll see jaw-dropping cliffs, sky-scraping redwood trees and the famous arched bridges of Monterey County along this road.
Ruta 40, Argentina
National Route 40 in western Argentina runs parallel to the awe-inspiring Andes mountain range. The longest route in Argentina, Ruta 40 stretches over 3100 miles of land. If you plan to visit this stunning country, make sure you leave enough time to visit the 20 national parks and 18 major rivers that this route covers.
Amalfi Coast Drive, Italy
Famous for its thrilling hairpin bends and cliff-hugging location, the Amalfi Coast Drive is not for the faint-hearted. Spanning 30 miles between the city of Sorrento and the Amalfi village, this winding, picturesque route has been featured hundreds of times on the silver screen.
Milford Road, New Zealand
Also known as State Highway 94, Milford Road is one of the most beautiful roads in New Zealand. Passing through the Fiordland National Park in the spectacular Southern Alps, many travellers choose to stop off along the way to see the stunning Mirror Lakes and the dramatic waterfalls of the Cleddau River.
Tianmen Mountain Road, China
Though it is one of the shorter roads on our list, at just 6 miles long, the Tianmen Mountain Road reaches heights of over 1000 metres as it steeply winds its way up the side of the Tianmenshen Mountain. The road will take you to the naturally made Tianmen cave, which must be accessed on foot by climbing 999 steps.
The Atlantic Road, Norway
This 5-mile road runs through a cluster of small islands in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. Receiving National Tourist Route status on 2005, this route is immensely popular for its eight curved bridges and awe-inspiring coastal views.
Chapman’s Peak Drive, South Africa
With a total of 114 bends and a thousand feet drop to the sea below you, the Chapman’s Peak Drive is a thrilling drive. Located on the south-western tip of South Africa and running from Noordhoek to Hout Bay, be sure to make a stop at a whale watching vantage point along the way.
Icefields Parkway, Alberta, Canada
One of the most beautiful drives in the world, the Icefields Parkway covers the 232km distance between the town of Jasper and Lake Louise. Along the way, prepare to be amazed by larger than life mountains, great sweeping valleys and of course, the glistening icefields.
Karakoram Highway, Pakistan / China
Connecting China and Pakistan through the Karakoram Mountain range, this is one of our most treacherous but most remarkable routes on the list. At 800 miles long, the route was once a key part of the “Silk Road” and is the location of the world’s highest international border, Khunjerab Pass at 16,000 ft.
Great Ocean Road, Australia
Australia’s Great Ocean Road covers 150 miles of coastline between Torquay and Nelson, which is located just outside of the Southern Australian border. Plan for pit stops at the renowned surfing haven, Bells Beach and the limestone “12 Apostles” pillars, a must-see spectacle of this dramatic coastal landscape.
The UK is due to leave the EU on the 31st of October 2019. This is a date that has long been on the horizon, and so far it has been unclear what exactly is going to happen when the UK does indeed leave the European Union. If you are due to drive in Europe after this date, there are a few important documents that you will need to carry with you. Not to worry, we are here to answer your questions.
What license will I need?
You will need to have your UK driving license with you if you are driving to, or through a European country. An international driving permit (IDP) may be needed, depending on which country you are travelling to. You can purchase an IDP from Post Office branches throughout the UK for the cost of £5.50.
Will my car insurance be valid?
Once the United Kingdom has left the EU, you will need a motor insurance green card for your vehicle, caravan or trailer. This green card will prove that your insurance covers the minimum that is required for the country that you are travelling in or through.
How do I get a green card?
You will need to contact your insurance provider to issue your motor insurance green card so that you have this ready for your upcoming journey. You should contact them at least one month ahead of your trip, to ensure that you receive this in plenty of time.
Will I need multiple green cards?
You may need multiple green cards if you are towing a trailer or caravan. This is because you will need a green card for each vehicle, including the ones being towed. Please be aware that some countries may require separate trailer insurance.
Documents to keep with you at all times:
– Valid UK driving license – International driving permit (IDP) – Motor insurance green card – Vehicle registration documents (V5C) – GB sticker for the number plate – At least 6 months left on your passport
Do make sure that you carry the appropriate documents with you during your journey, to ensure smooth and safe travel with the EU authorities.
Additional links:
Useful links from gov.uk, if you need more details:
You can find further information on what brexit means for motorists from gov.uk.
The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) first proposed that all new cars are fitted with mandatory speed limiters, called ISA’s (Intelligent Speed Assistance) in 2016. Now, after a vote by Members of European Parliament, the proposal has been approved. Within as little as 3 years time, a number of safety features including ISA’s, data logged black boxes, automatic braking assists and lane keeping technology could all become a legal requirement for new cars. This proposed ruling is hoped to dramatically improve road safety for all users, reducing collisions by up to 30% and preventing around 25,000 road deaths in the next 15 years.
The ISA’s work by using recognition technology to retrieve information about the speed limits on different roads. If there aren’t any visible signs on the road displaying a speed limit, then it will use GPS data to determine the limit. With this information, the ISA will be able to regulate the engine power of your car in accordance with the speed limit, although the driver can override this by accelerating harder, which would be necessary for certain situations such as emergencies or overtaking. A visual and audial warning will come on if the driver continues to drive the vehicle above the speed limit after overriding the system, which will only go off once the driver has reached the correct speed.
Despite the UK’s scheduled departure from the European Union this month, it is highly likely that these regulations will still apply to cars made in or for the UK markets too. The UK’s Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) has said that it will continue to adopt EU legislation after Brexit and so we can expect that in the next 3 years, all new cars will contain speed-limiting features. To find out what consequences a no-deal Brexit could incur for the UK car market and car buyers, read our blog post here.
In the last 5 years, car thefts have increased by almost 50%. This increase is thought to be caused by a spike in thefts involving sophisticated technology that specifically targets cars that use keyless entry systems.
A keyless entry system is one that involves the use of a fob that emits a signal that can be detected by your car once you are within a certain range of the vehicle. This signal unlocks the doors and allows you to start the engine all without the use of a traditional key. This signal is what thieves will manipulate in order to gain entry into your car and drive away within a matter of minutes. They do this by using a relay amplifier and transmitter to target cars that are parked close to their owner’s house, where they can be sure the key or fob will be. While one person stands next to the car holding the transmitter, another walks around the house holding the amplifier. When the fob comes within a certain range of the amplifier, it will detect the signal and transfer it to the transmitter. The transmitter can now act as the key to the car and open it silently and quickly. As keyless entry cars become more affordable and therefore more commonplace, manufacturers are now looking at ways of making keyless entry systems more secure against thefts, by making them resistant to relay attacks.
Once a vehicle has been stolen, it is often shipped abroad where it might be sold on or dismantled for its parts. Therefore, police only have a matter of hours to recover the vehicle once it has been taken which is why a high proportion of stolen cars are never returned to their owners.
How To Prevent Keyless Car Theft
Even though your car is locked automatically once you walk away with your fob, double check that it is locked properly. Once inside your home, store your keys well away from any walls and windows, as this will make it harder for thieves to pick up any signals on their relay amplifier.
The relay device will be able to pick up signals through windows, doors and walls however it is unable to get through metal. A good idea is to get a metal container to store your keys in when not in use – you can even store them in your microwave! There is also a range of signal blocking key pouches available online for a small price, called Faraday pouches, that will act as a barrier between your keys and the amplifier.
Some vehicle fobs can be switched off when not in use, sometimes requiring a double press of a button to activate this function. Check to see if this is the case for yours.
Take additional security measures to make it harder for thieves to get away with your car. If you have a steering wheel lock or driveway parking post in place, it is usually enough to deter thieves who will then try to target a more accessible car. You can also get a tracking device installed in your vehicle if you do not already have one. This might not stop thieves from driving away in your car but it will considerably help the police to locate your car should it ever be stolen.
