In a nutshell
- 📱 Get ready for digital driving licences by 2027; keep your DVLA details (address, medical info, entitlements) updated to avoid fines and verification issues.
- 🧑‍🎓 New learner rules: give 10 working days’ notice to change tests, instructors can’t book from spring 2026, and the theory adds CPR and AED questions.
- 🛂 Tougher compliance via ANPR: ensure your MOT, VED (tax), and registration are current or risk penalties and potential insurance invalidation.
- đź’· Rising costs: EV VED ÂŁ195 from year two (for EVs registered from 1 Apr 2025), fuel duty increases in Sept 2026, BIK on EVs to 4%, and London Congestion Charge ÂŁ18 (ÂŁ21 late) with reduced EV discounts.
- 🌱 Safety and tech shift: Euro 7 for new cars/vans from Nov 2026; drink‑drive limit drops to 50mg/100ml, seatbelt offences add 3 points, early self‑driving cars appear, and Motability sees higher VAT/insurance on Advance Payments (WAVs exempt).
The year 2026 is a pivot point for UK motoring. From taxes and tests to emissions and enforcement, a wave of updates will reshape how we buy, maintain, and legally operate our cars. Some measures take effect immediately, others phase in through the year, but all demand attention. Missing a deadline or misunderstanding a new requirement could put your licence, wallet, or insurance at risk. This guide distils the biggest changes you’ll face, explains who is affected, and offers practical steps to stay compliant. Keep an eye on official guidance, because details can shift at short notice as regulations are finalised and technology rolls out.
Digital Driving Licences and Your Data
Your driving licence is going digital, with a full rollout expected by 2027, and 2026 is the year to get ready. The physical photocard remains valid, but the DVLA is building systems that will make digital credentials the default for checking entitlements, updating details, and verifying identity. Failing to keep your digital record current—address, medical conditions, and driving categories—could cause administrative headaches or fines during roadside checks and vehicle rental.
Expect expanded online services for renewing entitlements, logging medical updates, and proving right to drive to employers, insurers, and hire firms. That convenience comes with responsibility: set calendar reminders for changes of address, licence renewals, and any health updates the law requires you to declare. Professional drivers should check code categories and CPC status are correctly recorded. If your phone is lost or offline, carry your photocard as a backup; police will still be able to confirm your details via national systems. For peace of mind, secure your DVLA account with strong authentication and review permissions for any third‑party services connected to your digital licence.
Learner Drivers and Testing Reforms
New booking rules reshape the path to a pass. From 2026, learner drivers must give at least 10 working days’ notice to cancel or reschedule a practical test, closing loopholes that clogged the system. There will be tighter limits on how many times you can reschedule, and—crucially—from spring 2026, instructors will no longer be able to book tests on your behalf. The change is designed to protect your personal data and make the queue fairer by stopping block bookings.
Preparation matters more than ever. Secure your own DVSA account, track availability in your region, and only book when you’re genuinely test‑ready to avoid forfeiting fees. The theory test also expands to include questions on CPR and using an AED, reflecting a wider safety push. Brush up with official resources and practise emergency response steps until they’re automatic. If nerves are an issue, consider a mock test in similar traffic conditions and time of day. Finally, keep your provisional licence valid, your eyesight up to standard, and your car test‑ready—tyres, lights, and mirrors checked—so a minor oversight doesn’t derail months of preparation.
Staying Compliant: MOTs, Tax, and ANPR Enforcement
The compliance net tightens in 2026 as authorities expand the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to flag vehicles that are untaxed, MOT-expired, or incorrectly registered. Expect swifter roadside interventions and automated letters if your vehicle falls off the radar. Driving without a valid MOT can invalidate your insurance and risks fines; being flagged as untaxed could attract penalties or enforcement action.
Practical steps are simple but non‑negotiable. Set a renewal reminder at least a month before your MOT expires—earlier if you need repair time—and plan around busy periods. Check your Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) payments are up to date, particularly if you’ve changed bank accounts or vehicle ownership status. If you move house, update your V5C and licence address promptly to ensure notices reach you. Drivers of older or seldom‑used cars should consider a battery conditioner to avoid failed starts on test day and do basic checks—tyres at legal tread and pressure, working lights, clean number plates, intact wipers—before heading to the test centre. A clean compliance record reduces the chance of ANPR-triggered stops and keeps your premiums steadier.
Costs on the Rise: EV Tax, Fuel Duty, Company Cars, and Congestion Charges
Budget carefully—several cost lines move in 2026. If you bought a new electric vehicle (EV) from 1 April 2025, it is no longer fully tax‑free: from the second year on the road, you’ll pay a standard VED rate of £195 per year. For premium EVs, additional supplements apply, though the higher‑rate threshold rises to £50,000, softening the blow for some buyers. Company car drivers face higher Benefit‑in‑Kind: EVs move from 3% to 4%, while high‑emission cars can reach up to 37%.
Fuel costs also change. The long‑standing 5p‑a‑litre cut ends, with fuel duty rising from September 2026. In London, the Congestion Charge stands at £18 per day (£21 if paid late), and EV discounts shrink: cars get 25% off; vans and HGVs receive 50% off. Factor these into commuting and fleet budgets.
| Change | What to Know in 2026 | Key Date | Who’s Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| EV VED | Standard rate ÂŁ195 from year two | Applies to EVs first registered from 1 Apr 2025 | Private and fleet EV owners |
| Fuel Duty | 5p cut ends; duty rises | September 2026 | All petrol and diesel users |
| Congestion Charge | ÂŁ18 daily; ÂŁ21 if late; reduced EV discounts | In force | London drivers, fleets, delivery firms |
| Company Car BIK | EVs 4%; high‑emitters up to 37% | 2026/27 tax year | Employees with company cars |
Mobility and Accessibility: Motability Scheme Changes
The Motability scheme evolves in 2026, with a sharper focus on affordability and essential access. Luxury models are being removed from the listings, shifting support toward practical vehicles that meet mobility needs without inflating costs. From July 2026, VAT and insurance costs will rise on Advance Payment vehicles, a change that may increase the upfront price for many users. One important safeguard remains: Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) stay exempt from these new costs, protecting access for those who rely on specialist conversions.
Plan ahead if your lease ends this year. Explore alternative trims or powertrains that keep monthly payments stable, and check whether charging access, home adaptations, or parking needs are changing your vehicle criteria. Factor in insurance terms, mileage allowances, and delivery timeframes, as demand can stretch lead times. If you’re unsure, contact your Motability adviser early to map options before deadlines bite. For drivers considering an EV on the scheme, weigh the new VED and charging costs against lower running expenses and local clean‑air benefits. Keeping paperwork current—licence, medical eligibility, and any blue badge renewals—will smooth approvals and avoid disruption to your mobility.
Cleaner and Safer Roads: Euro 7, New Safety Standards, and Self‑Driving Tech
From November 2026, Euro 7 emissions rules begin to apply to all new cars and vans, tightening limits on pollutants and requiring more durable emissions controls. Automakers will prioritise cleaner combustion, robust after‑treatment systems, and stricter brake and tyre particle standards. For buyers, Euro 7 models promise better air quality and potentially lower urban charges over a vehicle’s life. If you plan to keep a car long term, consider whether a Euro 7 vehicle better suits future city policies.
Safety policy also shifts. The drink‑drive limit drops to 50mg per 100ml of blood (down from 80mg), aligning England and Wales more closely with stricter European norms. Expect tougher enforcement, especially around nightlife zones and holiday periods. Not wearing a seatbelt could now attract three penalty points on top of a fine, reflecting a zero‑tolerance approach. For older motorists, proposals mean drivers aged 70+ may need a mandatory eye test to renew entitlement—good practice for everyone, given that vision changes can be gradual. Finally, self‑driving vehicles begin appearing under tight approvals. They must meet stringent safety standards, with clear rules on handover and liability. Treat them like any other road user: give space, follow signals, and assume they will drive lawfully, as their systems are designed to reduce human error and collisions.
Across taxes, tests, emissions, and enforcement, 2026 reshapes everyday driving. Stay ahead by diarising MOT and VED dates, updating your licence details, and budgeting for higher fuel duty, BIK, and city charges. Learners should manage bookings personally and skill up on CPR and AED knowledge. Motability users need to review vehicle choices before July’s cost changes, while buyers weighing a new car should compare Euro 7 options and evolving urban rules. The big picture is clear: compliance gets simpler if you prepare early. Which update will most change the way you drive—and what’s your plan to adapt this year?
Did you like it?4.4/5 (27)