Drivers have been warned against using a new car accessory made famous by social media.

The device, which became popular on the video-sharing site TikTok, could see motorists hit with a big fine of up to £1,000.

Shaped like a hand, the device can be changed to make gestures to other road users through the rear window – and can even give other motorists the middle finger!

Experts have now stressed how the lights could obstruct the rearview mirror and therefore breach the Highway Code.

They warned the tool could be distracting for other drivers, prompting road rage and increasing the risk of a collision.

Failing to comply with the rules could see motorists slapped with a hefty £1,000 fine and three points on their licence. Those driving larger passenger and goods vehicles could be forced to pay a higher fine of £2,500.

The new sign, which can be picked up for as little as £2 on TikTok, isn't the only LED-lighting mistake facing road users. 

Common LED car strip lights are also likely to breach The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (1989), which banned lights displaying a red glow at the front or back of a vehicle.

Popular "social media" accessory that could land drivers a £1,000 fine

Speed cameras. Love them or loath them, they're there for one purpose – to keep our roads safe.

But is there a point where speed cameras go too far; when these speedy defenders become downright nosy parkers?

That's the debate around a new trial of speed cameras powered by artificial intelligence currently in operation across the UK.

These new AI cameras are designed to enhance road safety beyond just speeding. They look for drivers committing offences such as driving without seatbelts or using mobile phones, a new approach that aims to penalise distracted drivers and reduce road accidents.

So, how do they work? The system uses a multi-cam setup to capture different views of the driver and passengers. Artificial intelligence then analyses the footage to see if an offence has been committed.

But don't worry, it's not all down to AI. Identified offences are checked and verified by police officers.

Early results from the trial were promising. The cameras detected 590 instances of drivers not wearing seatbelts and 40 cases of mobile phone use within just a few weeks.

Following the trial's success the programme was expanded in 2024 to include 10 police forces across the country – Durham, Greater Manchester, Humberside, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Norfolk, Thames Valley, and Sussex.

With so many drivers caught not wearing their belts and on their phones, the results speak for themselves – the more drivers fined for these simple errors, the fewer accidents we'll see, making our roads a safer place for everyone.

What do you think of the new AI cameras? Would you be happy to have one in your home town?

This new speed camera can see MORE than just your speed

Supermarkets put a lot of effort into trying to get customers through their doors. Memorable Christmas adverts, friendly mascots, and price-slashing loyalty cards; they're full of creative ideas that will get you to do your big shop in their store.

But we've had an even better idea. What if supermarkets made cars? 

What would they look like? How would they handle? And, most importantly, would they give you a discount for filling up at one of their pumps?

To find out, we've asked AI to create what cars would look like if they were created by our favourite big grocery shoppers.

What if supermarkets made cars?

We’re pleased to announce that our latest Dealership of the Month goes to Bowker BMW & MINI Blackburn.

Since early 2024 Bowker have been using Bumper’s PayLater option to split the cost of their customers’ bills into interest-free monthly payments. 

In that time, the flexible payment method has become a staple of the team’s everyday routine.

Stewart Rose, Group Service Manager, said, “Bumper has quickly become an essential part of our service team’s process, giving them confidence when presenting necessary repair work to our customers.”

The Blackburn team use Bumper’s Keyloop and Snap-On integrations to strengthen their customer offering and boost their KPIs. 

“The ease of use and integration with our existing eVHC system has been invaluable”, said Rose. 

"Since signing up with Bumper in February 2024 we have noticed a marked increase in our recovery rates across the group, as well as a notable increase in retention of older vehicles.

"The award is a great reflection on the value we place on offering Bumper to our customers", he continued.

Congratulations to Stewart, Kelby, Kieran, Andrew, and the whole team at Bowker BMW & MINI Blackburn!

Dealership of the Month: Bowker Blackburn Drives Higher Retention of Older Vehicles 

We're thrilled to announce Bumper's latest Dealership of the Month goes to Vindis Audi Northampton. 

The Northampton-based team has excelled with Bumper this month, using PayLater to split the cost of customers' service and repair bills into interest-free monthly instalments.

Vindis provides a seamless customer journey with flexible payments offered at every touch point, from bookings at the contact centre to taking payments on site.

A recent Bumper case study revealed dealer groups using Bumper in their contact centre saw a 10% conversion increase on the work they had quoted for.

Vindis posted about the win on their social media. They said, "Bumper provides interest-free credit, helping our valued customers get essential vehicle work completed with ease. This achievement reflects our dedication to offering tailored solutions that meet our customers' needs.

“A big thank you to our amazing team and loyal customers for making this possible!”

Audi Northampton customers also celebrated the flexible payment option via Trustpilot.

One customer said, “Really straightforward, simple to navigate and clear to understand process which made my purchase less stressful. Particularly like the tracking of payments and easy access to make an early repayment without charge.”

Another reviewed wrote, “Honestly the best service out there! I do appreciate the peace of mind Bumper thank you.”

Congratulations to Hasan, Nadiyah, Nigel, Tyler, David, Alistair, and the whole team at Vindis Audi Northampton.

Vindis Audi Northampton take Dealership of the Month

Taxes are a less exciting part of life, and all car owners must pay car tax on their vehicles.

 this will also include electric car drivers, and you can’t avoid this tax unless your car is 

 You can cancel your car tax and get a refund for any unused months by simply notifying the DVLA.

In this article, we’ll cover how to cancel car tax (even without a V5C) and when you can expect your money back.

Car tax is a tax all vehicle owners and drivers need to pay.

It’s also known as road tax or Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). However, the money doesn’t only go towards road maintenance or building. 

 to encourage drivers to make greener choices.

The first vehicle tax was introduced in Britain as 

To cancel your car tax, you must contact the DVLA. The easiest way to do this is through the 

Cancelling road tax is part of the process when you inform the DVLA about selling, scrapping, or declaring your car SORN. Refunds are handled alongside confirming these actions.

You can also speak to someone via the website’s live chat service or via the contact email address provided.

 Whatever contact route you chose, you’ll need a V5C or V11 tax reminder nearby.

You can also contact the DVLA by post, via:

You must give the DVLA a valid reason when you cancel your car tax.

Common reasons for cancelling road tax include:

There aren’t any other reasons for not paying car tax. 

If you are the registered keeper of an untaxed vehicle, 

. This amount will be halved if you pay within 28 days.

When cancelling your car tax, you’ll need your V5C—found on the front of your car’s logbook.

You need the V5C to prove you’re the registered owner of the car. It has a code that you must give to the DVLA to secure a tax refund.

Don’t have your V5C? You can cancel car tax without v5. But instead, you’ll need a V11.

The V11 is a document issued by the DVLA to remind you to tax the car or to confirm it’s SORN. 

Can’t find your V5C or V11? Don’t panic. 

You can order replacement V5Cs before you request tax refunds or sell your car. They cost £25 and can be 

How much money do you get from a car tax refund?

How much money you get from a cancelled tax refund depends on how you paid.

For example, if you pay car tax via direct debit, the DVLA will cancel future payments. 

You'll receive a refund for unused months if you've paid for a full year in advance.

 are based on the lower of your first payment or the rate for subsequent payments. The refund is calculated from the date the DVLA receives your info, not when you send it.

Direct debit payments will be automatically cancelled as well. Easy!

Step-by-step guide for cancelling your car tax

Ready? Follow the steps below to cancel tax on a car:

Car tax refunds are paid by postal cheque. Although you may have been paying electronically, the DVLA still works via paper.

Payments are sent to the address where the car was registered. 

If you receive a cheque with incorrect information (e.g., the wrong name), you can return it with a note to:

Typically, the DVLA takes up to 10 business days to process car tax refund applications. 

Once your refund is confirmed, the payment will be sent out and may take up to 10 more business days to arrive.

As a rule of thumb, if you don’t receive your payment or hear back within four weeks, you should contact the DVLA again.

What if my car tax refund doesn’t arrive?

If over eight weeks have passed without communication or your refund, you must contact the DVLA.

You can do this via email, phone, or post.

How to cancel tax on a car - Final thoughts

Knowing how to cancel car tax before you begin will save you time (and 

Bookmark this guide so you have it on hand when it’s time to secure your car tax return.

Tax isn’t the only expense car drivers need to pay. Costly repairs and emergency expenses can also add up. But it doesn't have to be a wallet-breaking affair.

, you can split the cost of repairs into monthly payments at no extra fee. 

Apply online for up to £5,000 and choose from 1,000s of trusted repairers. 

How To Cancel Car Tax and Get Your Money Back

Need to attach a trailer or caravan to your car? There are 

The UK towing laws were changed in December 2021, and if you haven’t towed since, you might need to re-familiarise yourself with these updates. 

On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about the new towing laws in the UK, whether you need a towing caravan licence, and how to stay safe while towing.

don’t need an additional towing licence.

However, you will need a full UK driving licence if you intend to tow a caravan, horsebox, trailer or boat behind your car.

The one scenario where you need a towing licence is if your trailer’s maximum authorised mass (MASS) is over 3,500kg. 

In the past, not all driver’s licences were equal. But today, all licences can tow. 

Before the 2021 new towing laws, only those who had their test before 1st January 1997 could tow. These licenses allowed towing of a car and trailers with a combined weight of 8,250kg. 

If you passed your test after 1st January 1997, you would have had to pass another test for an extra towing licence. 

The towing law changes in 2021 now allow all licences to tow up to 3,500kg as mandatory towing tests have been stopped. 

Towing weight differences for UK driving licences

So, now all licences can tow caravans and trailers. However, there are still different restrictions depending on when you passed your test.

Here’s a quick overview of the different weight allowances:

If you break the towing law limits, you can be banned from driving, fined up to £1,000, and you may receive six points on your driving licence. 

Finding out your maximum vehicle and tow weight

The new towing laws are based on combined weight limits, which you can determine by checking your vehicle's maximum towing capacity. 

This information is typically found in your car's handbook or on the manufacturer's website. Understanding this weight limit is essential to ensure compliance with legal requirements when towing.

You can skip the handbook and calculate it by subtracting the vehicle's kerb weight from its maximum allowable mass (MAM). 

These figures, which include the car, trailer, passengers, and luggage, are also referred to as Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) or Gross Train Weight (GTW). 

Any trailer over 750kg must be braked, and caravans, which range from 1,000kg to 2,500kg, typically require brakes. For example, a Vauxhall Corsa can tow up to 1,200kg, except for the 75bhp 1.2-litre model, which is limited to 500kg. 

The higher towing limit suits small caravans, but adding passengers and luggage may increase the weight. 

Caravan and trailer towing size restrictions

Alongside weight guidance, you should remember size restrictions. 

A trailer can be up to 7 meters long and 2.55 meters wide. But if it’s wider than your car, mirror extenders are required. 

While the maximum height isn’t clearly defined, keeping it under 1.7 times the trailer’s track width (usually around 3 meters) is recommended. 

 The minimum clearance under most UK bridges is 5 meters. So, keep this in mind if you want to move tall items.

Can electric cars tow trailers and caravans?

 are suitable for towing. However, since EVs rely on charging points, they might not be ideal for towing long distances.

Is there an age limit on the new towing laws?

No—towing laws have always required drivers to be 18 years old. 

Special towing licences and courses aren’t needed anymore, but they’re still recommended for all ages to help you become familiar with driving with a trailer or caravan.

However, it’s a good idea to check your coverage or opt for coverage that includes towing to protect you against potential damages or loss.

Some comprehensive policies cover towing, but others only offer third-party liability. This covers you for property damages or injuries, but not any problems with the actual trailer.

Final tips for safety with the new towing laws in the UK

Whether it’s your first time towing or not, brushing up on safety tips is always a good idea. 

Here are some best practice towing suggestions:

Last-minute repairs and emergency expenses can take the fun out of any road trips or caravan holidays. But it doesn't have to be an expensive affair.

New Towing Laws In The UK: What trailer and caravan owners should know

From April 2025, the double-cab pickup tax will change as these vehicles will no longer be classified as commercial vehicles. 

This will lead to big tax increases for some owners, so it's important to determine whether the commercial vehicle tax changes will affect you before they're implemented. 

Find the essential details and how they'll affect you below.

What are the UK pick-up truck tax changes?

double-cab pickup trucks will be classified as cars for tax purposes. 

The new tax comes as part of the 2024 autumn budget.

for these vehicles. BiK are goods and services provided to an employee at a reduced rate or for free.

Currently, light commercial vehicles (e.g., double cab pickups with a carrying capacity of one tonne or more) are subject to a flat BiK tax rate of £3,960 annually for company drivers.

However, starting in April 2025, they’ll be reclassified as cars, and BiK tax will instead be calculated on a sliding scale based on emissions.

 of most double-cab pickups, this change is expected to substantially increase drivers' tax bills.

An example of the new commercial vehicle tax changes

The new pick-up truck tax changes will depend on what kind of vehicle you own. Let's quickly look at an example.

 that falls into the highest BiK bracket for company cars, you may end up 

This is almost three times the current flat rate for light commercial vehicles.

It's a significant hit for tradespeople who depend on these trucks for their work.

What to do for existing double-cab pickup trucks?

Do you already own a double-cab pickup truck? HMRC has announced transitional BiK tax arrangements for employers who have bought and invested in these vehicles.

Any business that purchased, ordered, or leased a double cab pickup before April 2025 can continue using previous tax treatments. 

However, note that this transactional treatment will only be valid until:

So, if you currently have one of these pickups, you have some flexibility before and after the new tax rules are implemented. 

Effects of the new pick-up truck tax changes

Aside from higher taxes, what do these changes mean for the industry?

The new regulations may lead businesses in industries like construction and farming to rethink their pickup vehicle fleets.

While reliable, double-cab pickups will face higher BiK taxes, which will lead to increased costs for employers due to added National Insurance contributions. 

 to reduce the tax burden, which still benefits from lower BiK rates. We might also see a switch to

 which offer reduced taxes thanks to their lower emissions.

Running any vehicle can get expensive, especially when you’re facing last-minute repairs and emergency expenses.

Alastair Shephard

Content Writer