{"id":4890,"date":"2025-02-27T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uat.locautorent.com\/blog\/new-highway-code-what-changes\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T14:50:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T13:50:53","slug":"new-highway-code-what-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.locautorent.com\/en\/blog\/new-highway-code-what-changes\/","title":{"rendered":"New highway code: what changes?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Highway code 2024: new Rules on alcohol and drugs<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Unlike the regulations on alcohol consumption while driving<\/strong>, which have remained essentially unchanged since 1992 (without even adjusting administrative penalties for inflation), the legislation on the use of psychotropic substances<\/strong> has undergone significant changes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The most controversial change is that a positive drug test<\/strong> is now sufficient for license suspension. The main criticism arises from the fact that chemical components detected by drug tests can remain in the body (saliva, blood, urine, and hair) for days or even weeks, while the intoxicating effects last only a few hours. This means the law punishes not just impaired driving but drug consumption itself, even though drug use is not a criminal offense in itself. Additionally, drug testing methods used by law enforcement have different thresholds and have yet to be standardized.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Another point of concern is that the updated highway code now includes certain medications and other medical treatments among the banned substances<\/strong>, even if they have no psychoactive effects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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2024 highway code: changes for mobile phones and new drivers<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The new highway code also aims to impose stricter penalties for using mobile phones while driving<\/strong>, a factor responsible for nearly three-quarters of road accidents. Anyone caught using an electronic device while driving now faces a fine of up to \u20ac1,000, with higher penalties for repeat offenders. Additionally, those with at least 10 points on their license will face a one-week suspension, while those with fewer than 10 points will be suspended for 15 days. This short-term license suspension<\/strong> also applies to violations such as not wearing a helmet or seatbelt, driving against traffic, and running a red light.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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For new drivers<\/strong>, the updated highway code<\/strong> \nintroduces three main changes:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Lastly, economic penalties have been increased for speeding violations<\/strong>, animal abandonment<\/strong> (which now carries license suspension or revocation and up to seven years in prison if it results in an accident), and illegal parking in disabled spaces<\/strong>. However, under the new highway code, if multiple fines are issued for infractions on the same stretch of road<\/strong> \nwithin one hour, only the most severe fine will be applied, with an additional one-third increase.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Sources consulted for this article:<\/strong><\/p> \n