Some pretty transformative new measures were announced by Rachel Reeves last month
Man driving an automatic car.(Image: Getty Images / John Lamb )
A number of significant changes affecting UK motorists will come into force in 2026. The changes will apply to everyone who uses a car – including those learning to drive.
Whether you drive a petrol or diesel car, or an electric vehicle, it’s important to understand the new measures now so you don’t get hit with unexpected fines or extra costs further down the line.
To help you out, we’ve put together a roundup of things to look out for in the new year.
Fuel duty freeze to continue until September 2026
In the recent Autumn Budget, the government announced that fuel duty freeze – which has been in place since January 2011 to prevent its rise with inflation – will be phased out from September 2026 onwards.
This offers immediate relief but signals future cost increases for drivers, with some industry groups calling it an “inflationary timebomb”.
The current basic rate on diesel and petrol has been 52.95 pence per litre (ppl) as per the Office for Budget Responsibility which includes the 5ppl cut.
From September 2026, this freeze will end and the fuel duty will increase annually in lines with inflation. This means the tax will go back up and you’ll have to pay more at the pump every time you fill up your car.
Electric car perks and Motability
Since April 2017, anyone buying a car worth more than £40,000 has been subject to an Expensive Car Supplement (ECS) also known as ‘luxury car tax’. The ECS is charged on top of the regular vehicle excise duty that all cars are subject to.
This, however, is set to change from 1st April 2026 onwards for all zero-emission cars, with the threshold increasing from £40,000 to £50,000. It comes as a welcome change for all those considering an electric car, as many popular models will now be cheaper to tax than before.
The ECS threshold will stay the same for all other cars that aren’t fully electric.
The Motability scheme is also changing to encourage people to choose British-made cars. Luxury brands like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes are being removed from the list.
There will also be some new tax charges on advance payments starting in July 2026, making the scheme a bit more complex.
Congestion charges and emissions
The London congestion charge will increased from £15 to £18 per day from the turn of the new year. This fee applies if the charge is paid on or before the day of travel. It will rise from £17.50 to £21 per day if paid within 3 days after travel.
As well as this, crucially, the free pass for electric cars ends on Christmas Day, 2025. From 2026 onwards, electric drivers will have to pay the daily charge just like everyone else, though they can get a small discount if they register online.
Car manufacturers are also being forced to consider the environment more. In November 2026, strict new Euro 7 rules will come into force.
This means all new cars and vans sold in the UK and Europe must produce less pollution than ever before to help keep our air clean.
Major changes for learners drivers
Learners will have more control over driving test bookings from spring 2026.
In a bid to prevent third-party companies and online bots from buying and re-selling test slots to reduce the number of driving tests being re-sold at extortionate prices, instructors will no longer be allowed to book tests for you.
From Spring 2026, learners must book their own tests directly.
This will help reduce the waiting list for driving tests and give more power to the learner drivers to keep their personal data safe.
The new year will also see a new-look theory test. The DVSA has revised the first aid content in the driving theory test to equip more learner drivers with vital life-saving skills, adding CPR questions and AED questions. The changes won’t affect the cost, test time, or the difficulty level of the driving test.
The DVSA has already updated its official learning material to include this new content, so learner drivers will have time to familiarise themselves before the changes ahead of 2026.
Self-driving cars could roam our streets
This may come as a shock to many, but 2026 could be the year self-driving cars legally arrive after the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act was passed in May 2024.
Manufacturers are currently testing vehicles to prove they are as safe as human drivers. If they pass these strict tests, you might start seeing cars driving themselves on UK motorways for the first time.
Using this technology, the government hopes to reduce road collisions and fatalities, boost the economy and deliver new jobs, improve the quality of transport in the UK, help deliver essential goods, and increase connectivity.
Road safety laws overhauled
General road safety rules are expected to get stricter in 2026.
Ministers are considering cutting the drink-drive limit in England and Wales and introducing mandatory eye tests for older drivers. Changes could also include tougher penalties for uninsured driving and failing to wear a seatbelt.
The proposals are expected to be published as part of a road safety strategy – although the date of this has bit yet been released.
