As 2026 gets going, UK motorists are set to grapple with a raft of changes to road rules that could impact safety, compliance and their pockets - some of which have already kicked off. It's safe to say that for drivers, the rulebook is constantly evolving.
With this in mind, Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar, has rounded up the most significant alterations to driving laws in 2026 that drivers need to be clued up on.
From the start of the year, a revised electricity price cap of £1,758 came into force and will stay put until the end of March 2026. According to energy regulator Ofgem, this equates to a 0.2% price hike, meaning EV owners can expect to see a slight uptick in home charging costs.
The daily London Congestion Charge has jumped from £15 to £18 if settled on or before the day of travel, and from £17.50 to £21 if paid within three days. This change, now in effect, marks one of the steepest hikes in years, translating to higher costs for those driving into or through central London.
Electric vehicle (EV) drivers are now also subject to the London Congestion Charge. However, pure battery-powered EVs get a 25% discount when signed up for Auto Pay, reducing the daily charge to £13.50. Non-payers will face a hefty £180 penalty charge.
The Fuel Finder scheme, set to launch in early 2026 following a delay, will mandate petrol stations across the UK to provide real-time fuel prices. This initiative aims to help drivers easily compare costs and find the cheapest fuel options in their vicinity.
Starting from early 2026, learner drivers will be assessed on their knowledge of CPR and defibrillator use during their theory exams. This change is intended to enhance emergency awareness and road safety.
Major changes are coming to the driving test booking system in spring 2026, although the exact date will be announced nearer the time. The new rules include:
Additionally, learners will need to provide at least 10 working days' notice if they wish to cancel or reschedule a test. As part of the government's broader road safety strategy, it has been proposed that learner drivers may have to wait a minimum of six months before taking a test, but this is currently under consultation.
Starting from April 1, 2026, electric vehicles will no longer be classed as "luxury" items for road tax purposes unless their price exceeds £50,000, a rise from the present £40,000 threshold. This increased limit is exclusive to zero-emission cars, whilst petrol and diesel vehicles see no adjustment.
As a result, numerous electric models costing between £40,000 and £50,000 will be exempt from the additional VED levy entirely. The adjustment also favours most EVs registered from April 2025 onwards, though some owners may still face the surcharge for a single year if they renew their tax ahead of April 2026.
Plans are in place to introduce digital driving licences during 2026, integrated into the GOV.UK Wallet, scheduled for a summer rollout. This innovative platform will enable drivers to retrieve their licence through a mobile phone application.
Whilst offering ease for identity verification and renewal processes, traditional plastic licences are anticipated to stay in use.
The freeze on fuel duty at 52.95p per litre (incorporating the 5p reduction) will continue until September 2026, before reverting to the earlier 57.95p per litre rate by March 2027. After this point, the discount is scheduled to be removed, with fuel duty projected to increase yearly in accordance with inflation.
The Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, launched in January 2024, sets targets requiring 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Britain to be zero-emission by 2030, rising to 100% by 2035. For 2025, this meant 28% of new car sales and 16% of new van sales needed to be zero-emission.
Under the ZEV mandate, manufacturers must meet increasingly stringent zero-emission vehicle quotas annually. By 2026, the requirement jumps to 33% for new car sales and 24% for vans.
The Automated Vehicles (AV) Act, which became law in May 2024, paves the way for autonomous vehicles on British roads from 2026 onwards. Whilst this won't transform daily driving immediately for motorists, it signals the beginning of a significant long-term transformation in road usage and regulation.
Richard said: "With a lot of changes happening throughout this year, it's important for all drivers to stay informed and understand the rules and regulations that will impact not only them, but other motorists on the road, too. Keeping up to date, being aware of when these changes are happening, and abiding by the rules, is not just a legal requirement - it's a shared responsibility that helps protect every road user."
