Upcoming Changes Every UK Driver Needs to Know In 2026

In the UK, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the more eventful years in recent memory for motorists. From the way we prove our identity as drivers to how much we pay at the pump, a wave of changes is either already in effect or moving through the legislative pipeline fast. Whether you drive daily for work, use your vehicle for school runs, or treat it as a weekend indulgence, personalised number plates provider Regtransfers have shared a practical, plain-English guide to the most significant developments hitting UK roads this year.

Your Driving Licence Is Going Digital

The UK government has set a target of fully implementing digital driving licences by 2027, and the groundwork is being laid now. Physical photocard licences remain valid for the time being, but the direction of travel has now taken shape: your licence record will soon exist primarily online, accessible through the forthcoming GOV.UKWallet app.

That app was originally scheduled for 2025 but has not yet launched as of spring 2026. In the meantime, drivers can already view and share their licence details at gov.uk, and should ensure their DVLA records – including address and any declarable medical conditions – are fully up to date. Failing to do so can result in fines or, in serious cases, revocation of your licence.

Crackdowns on Driving Test Bookings 

Learner drivers and their instructors will need to navigate tighter rules around test bookings, introduced to crack down on the abuse of an already overstretched system. The key changes are:

• A minimum of 10 working days’ notice is now required to cancel or change a test booking
• Driving instructors can no longer book tests on behalf of their students
• Limits have been placed on how frequently a test can be rescheduled

These measures are designed to free up slots that were previously being snapped up by bots and resold at a premium – but they do mean that genuine students need to plan further ahead than before.

ANPR Enforcement Is Intensifying

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology is becoming an increasingly routine part of life on UK roads. In 2026, its use is being expanded specifically to catch vehicles operating without valid MOT certificates, road tax, or insurance.

The consequences of being caught are severe: fixed penalty fines, potential court proceedings, vehicle seizure and the invalidation of motor insurance, even if you believed you had cover. Drivers can check their MOT status and road tax validity quickly and for free via the government’s own website.

Fuel Is About to Cost More

The 5p-per-litre fuel duty reduction that has been in place since 2022 is coming to an end. The cut will be phased out from September 2026, with full inflation-linked rises planned from April 2027.

The headline rate on standard petrol and diesel has been frozen since 2011–12, sitting at 52.95 pence per litre. The removal of the 5p reduction will be felt most acutely by high-mileage drivers – those doing significant annual mileage for work or long commutes should factor this into their running cost calculations now.

Road Tax Rates Have Risen (Including for Electric Vehicles)

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) – what most people call road tax – increased to £195 for the 2025/26 tax year, based on movements in the Retail Price Index. Notably, electric vehicles are now included in this standard rate, following the end of their previous exemption.

It is worth remembering that only the first year of VED is emissions-linked; subsequent years revert to a flat rate regardless of how green your vehicle is.

Company Car Drivers Face Higher Tax Bills

If you receive a company car as part of your remuneration package, benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax rates are changing. Electric company cars will see their BIK rate increase from 3% to 4%, while high-emission vehicles could face rates as high as 37%. Those running older, less efficient fleet vehicles may find the financial case for switching to electric strengthened considerably by this shift.

Motability Scheme Changes Affect Disabled Drivers

From July 2026, the Motability scheme – which helps people with disabilities lease vehicles – will be subject to new costs. VAT will become payable on Advance Payments, and Insurance Premium Tax will be added to certain leases. Some higher-value vehicles are being removed from the scheme entirely.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) will remain exempt from the VAT and insurance changes. Those currently on the scheme, or considering joining, are advised to check the latest information on the Motability and government websites ahead of July.

The London Congestion Charge Has Jumped by 20%

Drivers in the capital are now paying £18 per day for the standard congestion charge – a 20% increase from January 2026. For those driving electric vehicles registered on Auto Pay, a discount applies until March 2030: electric cars pay £13.50 per day, and electric vans or HGVs pay £9 per day.

The charge operates Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm, and on weekends and bank holidays from noon to 6pm. The zone is enforced by ANPR cameras and marked by the familiar red ‘C’ signs. Late payment incurs an additional £21 charge.

Road Safety Rules Are Getting Tougher

The government’s updated Road Safety Strategy, published in January 2026, signals several significant changes currently in consultation:

Seat belts and penalty points: The proposal would add three penalty points to the licences of drivers – or passengers – caught without a seat belt. This would be on top of existing fines. The same points would apply to drivers who fail to ensure children in the vehicle are properly restrained.

Drink and drug driving: The permitted blood alcohol level for drivers is proposed to be reduced, and police would gain the power to seize vehicles from anyone arrested for drink or drug driving.

Eyesight tests for older drivers: Drivers aged 70 and over already renew their licences every three years, but currently rely on self-declaration to confirm adequate vision. A new consultation proposes replacing this with mandatory eyesight tests. Drivers found to have seriously impaired vision would not have their licence renewed.

Stay Ahead of the Changes

The pace of change in UK motoring policy is accelerating. Whether it is digital IDs, new enforcement technology, or shifting tax structures, the drivers who stay informed are the ones best placed to adapt without financial or legal surprise.

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