Staying safe on Britain’s roads just got tougher this year. With 2026 bringing a mix of enforced rules, fresh proposals, and sneaky admin shifts, everyday drivers face higher stakes from city charges to licence checks.
Congestion Charges Hit EVs Harder
Electric vehicle owners thought they dodged urban fees forever, but 2026 flips the script. London’s Congestion Charge now nails non-compliant EVs, catching many off guard since exemptions ended last year. Drivers report surprise £15 daily hits, pushing hybrids and plug-ins to rethink commutes.
This shift ties into broader green taxes, like the Expensive Car Supplement jumping to £50,000 for zero-emission rides registered post-April 2025. Regular petrol heads feel it too, as enforcement ramps up via automatic number plate recognition everywhere from ULEZ zones to smart motorways.
MOT Checks Turn Ruthless
Gone are the days of lax MOT grace periods. New 2026 rules scrap the old 14-day buffer post-test due date, meaning your car must pass exactly on expiry or stay off roads. Miss it, and you’re hit with fines up to £1,000 plus clamp risks.
Enforcement teams now cross-check DVLA data aggressively, targeting expired tests during routine stops. Older vehicles face extra scrutiny on emissions, with data showing 20% more failures from tightened diesel particle filters.
Seatbelt Penalties Get Teeth
Passengers buckling up? Not optional anymore. Tougher laws slap drivers with three penalty points and £500 fines if kids or adults ride unbelted under their watch. Courts push this hard, ditching past slap-on-the-wrist fines.
Spot checks in schools and family hotspots multiply, aiming to cut the 200 annual UK seatbelt deaths. Families hauling kids to matches or shops must double-check every time.
Drink-Drive Limits Drop Sharply
England and Wales eye a lower blood alcohol cap at 50mg per 100ml, down from 80mg, matching Scotland’s long-standing rule. Proposals gain steam post-2025 safety strategy, with pilots promising fewer crashes.
Repeat offenders face alcolocks—breath-tested ignitions—as standard post-conviction. Night drivers, watch pub crawls; random tests spike in high-risk hours.
Here’s a quick rundown of key penalty shifts:
| Rule Change | Old Penalty | New Penalty (2026) | Who It Targets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expired MOT | Warning/fine | £1,000 fine + clamp | All vehicles |
| Seatbelt violation | Fine only | 3 points + £500 | Drivers w/ passengers |
| Drink-drive repeat | Ban possible | Mandatory alcolock | Convicted drivers |
| Uninsured driving | £300 fine | £1,000+ vehicle crush | All motorists |
| Ghost plates | Warning | 6 points + confiscation | Modified cars |
Eyesight Tests for Seniors
Over-70s drivers might need mandatory DVLA eyesight declarations yearly, beyond self-cert. Proposals from the road safety plan target 300,000 licence holders, using optician apps for proof.
Failing means instant suspension; pass rates hover at 85% in trials. Grandparents ferrying grandkids, get those specs checked pronto.
Learner Rules Tighten Up
Newbies face a minimum learning phase—likely 12 months—before practical tests. Say goodbye to rushed passes; examiners cut normal stops from four to three, doubling independent drives to 20 minutes.
Emergency stops drop to one-in-seven tests, favouring real-road flow. Teens cramming for freedom? Plan longer now.
Number Plate Crackdown
Illegal ‘ghost’ plates—those tinted or swapped fakes—draw zero tolerance. ANPR cams seize 10,000 vehicles yearly already; 2026 hikes fines to six points plus impound.
Uninsured drivers join the purge, with continuous insurance checks pinging alerts nationwide. Modders flashing fake plates for style? Your pride and joy gets crushed.
Digital Licences on Horizon
Paper licences fade as digital wallets roll out via DVLA app trials. Update addresses instantly or face void status; full switch eyed by year-end.
Fuel taxes creep up too, with EV mileage duties previewed at 3p per mile from 2028—but plan now.
FAQs
Q: Do EVs still avoid all London charges?
A: No, Congestion Charge applies unless zero-emission compliant.
Q: What’s the new drink-drive limit?
A: Proposed 50mg/100ml in England/Wales; Scotland already there.
Q: Can I drive with expired MOT?
A: No grace period—fined immediately.
