Motorists in the UK are bracing for a series of significant driving rule changes in 2026, including a rise in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) that could see some drivers paying up to £620 annually. The changes, part of the government's delayed Road Safety Strategy, will also introduce stricter regulations for older drivers and electric vehicle owners.
From April 2026, electric car drivers will no longer enjoy free road tax and will be required to pay a flat rate of £200 per year. Additionally, vehicles with a list price over £40,000 (or £50,000 for electric cars) will incur a 'luxury car tax' of £425, bringing total VED to £620. High-emission cars producing more than 255g/km of CO2 will see their tax rise to £790.
Disabled motorists face an average £400 hike after certain tax breaks are scrapped. The Motability scheme will also see changes: from November 2025, high-end cars from brands like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes were removed from the scheme. VAT will be applied to Advance Payments from July 2026, and Insurance Premium Tax will increase to 12% on new leases. However, cars significantly adapted for wheelchair users will be exempt.
Drivers aged 70 and over may face mandatory eye tests when renewing their licences, which currently require renewal every three years. The government is under pressure to introduce compulsory vision checks after opticians raised safety concerns. The drink-drive limit could be reduced from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, aligning with Scotland's threshold. Seatbelt regulations will also tighten, with offenders receiving three penalty points in addition to fines.
From 2026, driving theory tests will include new questions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs), as part of an updated first aid component by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
