7 New Driving Rules for 2026 - Here’s Everything you Need to Know
photo credit - Rolls-Royce
It could be all change for British drivers, with motoring experts at car leasing comparison site leaseloco.com outlining seven changes that could affect people across the UK in 2026.
Driver safety is set to be a priority, and some of the most notable changes see stricter drink-driving limits, mandatory eyesight tests for elderly drivers and tougher seatbelt laws.
It is also likely to be more expensive to take your car on the road next year, with fuel duty tax and London Congestion Charges both set to increase.
Let’s look at the seven changes in more detail…
1 - Reduced drink-driving limits
Stricter drink-driving limits are set to come into place in England, with the current 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath being reduced to 22 micrograms. This is already in place in Scotland and means just one standard drink may put you over the legal limit.
photo credit - GEM Motoring Assist
2 - Roadside tests for drug driving
The prosecution of drug driving offences will now be significantly easier thanks to new proposed regulations that enable police to use saliva-based roadside tests as sufficient evidence. Previously, a positive roadside result would require a follow-up blood test in order to satisfy the prosecution process.
3 - Mandatory eyesight tests
Mandatory eyesight tests every three years for drivers aged 70 and above when they renew their licence are set to come into place, ensuring all drivers meet the vision requirements needed for safe driving. At present, motorists have to self-report any problems with their vision.
4 - Stricter seatbelt rules
Not wearing your seatbelt is set to be punished more severely, with three penalty points added to your licence, as well as potentially any passengers who do the same. This proposal had been suggested as far back as 2020, and currently, not wearing a seatbelt only results in a fine of up to £500.
photo credit - GEM Motoring Assist
5- London Congestion Charge changes
Travelling into London by car will become more expensive in 2026, thanks to an increase from £15 to £18 in the daily Congestion Charge. Electric vehicle owners will also no longer be 100% exempt from the Congestion Charge, instead being able to apply for a 25% discount.
6 - Fuel duty increasing
Despite the recent Autumn Budget stating that fuel duty would remain frozen until September 2026, drivers could still face notably higher prices at the pumps from late next year. It is then set to be increased in a staggered approach for the first time in 16 years.
7 - Driving test booking changes
The government will attempt to tackle the reported 670,000 backlog in learner drivers looking to book a practical test by introducing changes to its booking system in spring 2026. The new changes will allow only learners to book their own tests, which aims to stop bots and third-party sellers from grabbing available test slots and reselling them at exorbitant prices.
photo credit - Young Driver
What do you think of the proposed changes in 2026?
words: Mike Booth