The UK government is introducing stricter new driving laws in 2026 as part of its road safety strategy to cut deaths and injuries on our roads.1 These and other road rule changes will affect everyone who drives, owns or leases a vehicle in the UK.
To help you stay safe, protect your finances, and keep your driving licence clean, it’s essential to understand how these changes might impact you.
EASY AS HACK
The Government is modernising existing systems, but many changes, such as mandatory eye tests for the over-70s, are proposals and haven’t been confirmed.
At a glance
Confirmed UK driving law changes for 2026:
- Test booking rules affect learner drivers
- New drivers to face CPR and AED questions
- A higher luxury tax threshold for some electric vehicle buyers
- Everyone pays 1p more for fuel from September
Here we explain the new UK driving laws for 2026 and other rule changes, so you don’t miss them and get caught out. We’ve also included government proposals affecting drivers in subsequent years.
1. Changes to car driving test bookings
From spring 2026, driving instructors will no longer be able to book a car driving test for their pupils. Instead, learner drivers must book independently.2
In addition, learners can only change their driving test appointment twice. More than two changes mean cancellation and rebooking (you’ll need to give 10 full working days’ notice to get a full refund).
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will also only allow you to move your test to a centre close to the original centre you booked.
DVSA will consider each of these actions a change:
- Moving to another test centre
- Changing the test date or time
- Exchanging appointments with another learner driver who has booked a test
2. Theory test, CPR and first aid updates
This new driving rule affects learner drivers. To help save lives, the Government will update the first aid section of the driving theory test from early 2026 to include improved questions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and new questions about automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
It makes sense because the UK’s overall cardiac arrest survival rate out of hospitals is as low as 1 in 10. However, drivers’ survival improves if a passerby gives CPR and uses an AED. 3
3. Electric vehicle (EV) taxation
From 1 April 2026, the Expensive Car Supplement (ECS), also known as the luxury car tax, will increase for all vehicles.4 This rise is part of wider updates to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), also known as road tax.
There’s good news if you drive a zero-emission car. The threshold before you need to pay ECS will rise from £40,000 to £50,000. In other words, more electric and zero-emission vehicles will avoid this extra charge.
However, electric, zero-emission, and low-emission vehicles must pay vehicle tax starting 1 April 2025. The first-year payment for cars registered at that time was £10. From 2026, the second payment of £195 applies and this will stay the same for all cars registered from April 2017 to March 2025.5
Read our beginner’s guide to electric cars.
4. Fuel duty will rise from September 2026
From September 2026, the government will begin phasing out the 5p reduction in fuel duty. This temporary cut, introduced in 2022 to ease cost-of-living pressures, lowered the rate from 57.95p per litre of unleaded to 52.95p.6
It will reverse the cut in stages by adding back:
- 1p on 1 September 2026
- 2p on 1 December 2026
- 2p on 1 March 2027 (when it will return to the 2022 rate of 57.95p per litre)7
At least drivers will be relieved that they won’t face a price hike to match inflation, as the government had previously planned.5
5. Company car tax changes
A new driving law will affect you if you drive an electric company car or one that emits less than 75g of carbon dioxide (CO2) per kilometre.8
When your employer provides a car for private use, HMRC treats it as a taxable non-cash perk called Benefits in Kind (BiK). CO2 emissions factor into BiK calculations, with lower emission vehicles attracting the lowest rates.
An EV car’s BiK rate will rise from 2% to 3% for the tax year 2025-26, then to 4% for 2026-27 and to 5% for 2027-28. Read the Government’s guide to calculating tax on company cars.
You’ll be glad to know that despite the increases, electric cars remain more tax-efficient than petrol or diesel vehicles.
Find your rate now on the Government’s tax calculator.
6. London’s Congestion Charge rises
Late last year, the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) announced that the daily Congestion Charge would rise from £15 to £18 starting on 2 January 2026.9 Pay by midnight three days after travel in the zone, or it jumps to £21.
The goal is for the Congestion Charge to help control traffic and ease central London congestion. You can pay the charge through TFL’s Pay to Drive app, website or AutoPay.
The Mayor and TfL unveiled a tiered system for specific vehicles registered for AutoPay, replacing the Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD) scheme in phases. Register up to five cars free with AutoPay, and TfL will automatically charge your account every day you drive in the zone.8
Phase 1 from 2 January
50% off for electric vans, quadricycles and HGVs
25% off for electric cars and private hire vehicles
Phase 2 from 4 March
25% off for electric vans, quadricycles and HGVs
12.5% off for electric cars and private hire vehicles
This rule change will support the shift to electric vehicles (EVs), says TfL.
Proposed but not yet confirmed changes to UK driving laws
Several proposed reforms in the government’s road safety strategy could catch many motorists off guard. To help, we cut to the chase and review other changes that could impact everyone, from learners to older drivers.
1. Drink-driving limit cuts
To meet its goal of reducing injuries and road deaths by 65% by 2035, the government is consulting on changes to drink-driving limits in England and Wales.10 It aims to match those in Scotland, which introduced lower limits in 2014.
The proposals include reducing the drink-drive limit in England and Wales:
- From 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath (the highest in Europe) to 22 microgrammes or 80mg per 100ml of blood to 50mg.
- Learner and novice drivers also may face a near-zero limit of 20mg per 100ml of blood.
The Department for Transport is considering requiring convicted drink-drive offenders to use an alcohol interlock or ‘alcolock’ device as a condition of driving again. It prevents a vehicle from starting until the driver passes a breath test. DfT hopes that tougher action on drink driving will reduce reoffending.
Discover more about drink-driving licence points.
2. Introducing an eye check ‘MOT’ for older drivers
Eye sector research shows 70% of UK adults want mandatory eye tests at licence application and renewal.11 So, many will welcome government plans to tighten fitness-to-drive regulations.
With an ageing population and the increased safety risks that can come from age-related conditions, the DfT understands the concerns and is therefore consulting on two proposals:
- Mandatory eye tests for motorists over 70 as part of driving licence renewal.
- Replacing the system of self-declaration for older drivers.
Once you reach 70, the current law requires you to renew your licence every three years, honestly declare that your eyesight meets the required standards for driving and inform the DVLA of any medical conditions.12
The DfT proposes that healthcare professionals conduct eyesight or cognitive tests and must legally report to the DVLA if someone is unfit to drive.
3. Possible changes to seatbelt penalty points
Wearing a seatbelt offers excellent protection in a crash, but, incredibly, some 5-10% of people don’t wear one – a potentially fatal mistake.13
The government is concerned that current penalties for not wearing a seatbelt are insufficient and proposes 3 penalty points.
Find out how to check for penalty points on your licence.
4. New Emission standards come into force
The UK government intends to back tougher Euro 7 emissions rules for all newly launched passenger cars and vans.14
Europe is rolling out Euro 7 to cut harmful exhaust emissions, limit non-exhaust pollutants, and boost air quality. Cars and vans emit about 15% of the EU’s total CO2.15
The Department for Transport (DfT) will consult later this year on options for Great Britain, but if approved, Euro 7 takes effect on 29 November 2026. The Northern Ireland Protocol means the rule automatically applies to Northern Ireland.
Euro 7 could lead to higher new-car prices, stricter MOT tests, and tighter restrictions on light vehicles in low- and ultra-low-emission zones.
Find out about our Ageas car insurance.
1 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/road-safety-strategy
7 https://taxscape.deloitte.com/measures-autumn-budget-2025/fuel-duty-rates.aspx
