Millions of Americans could be impacted by six new driving laws set to come into effect next month, including changes affecting electric vehicles and young adults who want to get their license
Six new driving laws and rule changes next month could impact millions of Americans.
Rules for drivers in the US are constantly changing, varying from state to state, and if you don’t keep up with them you could face hefty fines. Changes coming in September are set to impact drivers in at least four states, including Florida, South Carolina, Texas and Hawaii.
A major change is also on the way for young drivers who want to get their license. It comes as US drivers face a major change as state officials consider altering decades-old speed limit rule. Here’s everything you need to know about the driving changing coming up.
Florida drivers face $100 fines for driving over 10mph
New speed cameras are set to be switched on in Florida starting September 14. The cameras are slated to be installed outside more than a dozen schools in Doral, part of Miami-Dade County.
Once the new cameras are on, drivers caught speeding 10mph of more over the limit will receive an instant $100 fine. The aim is to catch drivers who are speeding while children are in the area.
They will operate 30 minutes before school starts, throughout the school day and for a further 30 minutes after school ends. The cameras will be switched off for weekends and holidays.
Crackdown on touching phone while driving in South Carolina
Meanwhile, in South Carolina drivers will also face new fines due to a strict law banning touching cellphones while driving.
Palmetto State has become the 33rd to sign the hands-free rule into law. From September 1, the new legislation bans drivers from touching their phones while behind the wheel.
Drivers who wish to use their phone will instead be required to use Bluetooth features or hands-free technology to answer calls or send messages.
Those caught breaking the hands-free law will be hit with a $100 fine. The fine doubles to $200 for those caught breaking the law again within three years of the first offense.
Texas introduces new self-driving permit rule
September 1 will also mark the start of a new law coming into place in Texas, aimed at regulating driverless vehicles. Under the new legislation, a state permit will be required to operate self-driving vehicles on public roads.
The new law impacts autonomous car services such as Waymo and Tesla’s newly launched Robotaxi. Elon Musk’s automotive company recently overcame another hurdle in its plans to offer driverless taxi services in Texas, as Tesla was granted a permit to operate its ride-hailing vehicles in the state.
The company has been operating a very limited service in Austin since June, but faced challenges ahead of the new law. Tesla will also need approval from the Department of Motor Vehicles before it can launch a publicly available, fully-autonomous service, Texas Standard reports.
Hawaii EV drivers lane ban
Drivers of elective vehicles in Hawaii will face a lane rule change that is coming into effect on September 30. The new law bans vehicles with EV plates from using the high-occupancy lanes during restricted hours in the morning and afternoon, Spectrum News reports.
Currently, federal code 23 USC 166(B)(4), which has been in place since 2005, allows states to set rules that provide exemptions for EVs from HOV lane occupancy requirements. However, this provision will expire by the end of next month.
Strict new training rule for young drivers
September 30 will also mark the start of a new set of rules for young drivers wanting to get their license. The strict new training guidelines will require anyone aged 18 to 20 to meet the same requirements that younger teens follow.
This means that everyone under the age of 21 will have to complete a full drivers education course, which includes 24 hours of classroom lessons, eight hours of driver training with an instructor and 50 hours of driving with a licensed driver 21 or older, with 10 hours of driving at night.
We know that young people who go through driver training have less serious crashes within that first year of licensure than those who are licensed at ages when the training is no longer required, Ohio Traffic Safety Office Assistant Director Kimberly Schwind told Fox 8. So, we know that this is a critical safety component that is going to save lives on Ohios roads.
Days left to claim tax credit for new car
The final September 30 change is a budget cut that could see drivers losing out on a $7,500 tax credit if they don’t claim before the deadline.
Under the Trump administrations new budget plan, a tax credit for buying or leasing an elective vehicle will be axed by the end of the month. The tax credit allows drivers to claim $7,500 for new EV’s or $4,000 for used EVs and there is now just over a week left to claim it.
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