Starting April 2026, new UK driving laws and regulations will take effect, impacting everything from vehicle tax rates to parking enforcement and test booking procedures.
One of the most significant updates centers on Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). While zero-emission vehicles will continue to benefit from a low first-year tax of £10, the government is increasing charges steeply for high-polluting petrol and diesel cars. Vehicles emitting over 151g of CO2 per kilometre will face a hefty charge of £1,410, with diesel vehicles in this category paying even more at £2,270. These changes aim to discourage ownership of heavily polluting vehicles and encourage the switch to cleaner alternatives.
Moreover, electric vehicles (EVs) will transition fully to the standard VED system from April 2026. This means EV owners will pay the annual standard rate of £200 for the first time, subject to inflation increases in coming years. However, the threshold for the Expensive Car Supplement will rise from £40,000 to £50,000, allowing more mid-range EVs to avoid the additional £425 charge. Company car users will also see a slight rise in EV Benefit-in-Kind tax from 3% to 4%, keeping their costs lower than petrol or diesel counterparts despite the increase.
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Regarding driving tests, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is introducing stricter rules for learners. From March 31, 2026, test candidates will be limited to just two booking changes – a reduction from the current six allowed. Any further alterations will require cancelling the test and rebooking, though a refund is available if cancellation occurs at least 10 working days before the test date. The new policy applies to changes such as adjusting the date or time, switching test centres, or swapping bookings with other learners. This move aims to reduce test backlogs and improve booking fairness.
Finally, new powers will be granted to local councils under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, expected to progress in the House of Lords between late March and mid-April 2026. These powers will enable councils to clamp down on pavement parking, addressing safety and accessibility concerns in residential areas.
In summary, April 2026 will bring significant changes for UK drivers, with higher charges targeting polluting vehicles, new rules to streamline driving tests, and strengthened measures for parking enforcement — all designed to promote cleaner, safer road use.