The coming year will see significant changes for millions of UK motorists, with new rules and charges set to impact petrol cars, electric vehicles, and learner drivers. It's vital that Brits familiarise themselves with these impending regulations and understand how they might be affected as we approach the new year.
These changes will have implications for everyone, whether you're a current driver, are looking to drive or are thinking about taking lessons to get your driving licence. The key changes are outlined below.
For those who frequently navigate London's roads, driving is about to become pricier. The Congestion Charge is set to rise to £18 per day, and the complimentary pass for electric vehicles will cease on Christmas Day 2025.
Rising fuel and tax costs
From 2026 onwards, electric vehicle owners will be obliged to pay the daily charge, although a discount can be secured through online registration.
Moreover, the new Euro 7 regulations will come into force from November 2026. Under this new legislation, all new cars and vans sold in both the UK and Europe must emit less pollution than ever before, contributing to cleaner air, reports the Express.
Fuel duty has been frozen for several years to maintain lower fuel prices. However, from September 2026, this freeze will be lifted, and the tax will gradually escalate, leading to higher costs at the pump for motorists refuelling their vehicles.
Company car owners will also be hit with higher costs as taxes are set to rise. The Benefit in Kind tax, deducted from your salary if you have a company car, is on the up. From April 2026, the rate for electric company cars will jump from 3% to 4%, while gas-guzzling vehicles will continue to face steeper rates.
Changes are also being made to the way driving tests are booked in an attempt to thwart bots and the reselling of test slots for profit. From spring 2026, learners will need to book their own tests directly; instructors will no longer be allowed to make bookings on behalf of their students.
The theory test is also undergoing a revamp, with questions on first aid, including how to perform CPR and use a defibrillator, being added from early 2026. The goal is to ensure that every new driver knows what to do in the event of a medical emergency on the road.
Cars priced over £40,000 usually attract an additional luxury tax, but there's good news for electric car owners. From April 2026, the threshold rises to £50,000, meaning a range of popular electric car models will become cheaper to tax than before.
Furthermore, changes are coming to the Motability Scheme, which allows disabled individuals, their families, and their carers to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair. In a bid to encourage people to choose British-made cars, foreign brands such as BMW, Audi, and Mercedes are being removed from the list.
From July 2026, the scheme will become slightly more intricate with the introduction of new tax charges on advance payments.
Road safety regulations are set to tighten in 2026. The Government is contemplating making eye tests compulsory for drivers over 70 upon licence renewal.
Additionally, they may reduce the legal alcohol limit for driving and introduce penalty points for those found not wearing a seatbelt.
2026 could also mark the legal arrival of self-driving cars, as manufacturers are currently conducting rigorous tests to demonstrate their safety equivalence to human drivers. If these vehicles pass the stringent assessments, we could see them cruising on UK motorways for the first time.