Driving law changes you missed in January - Mandatory eye tests for older motorists, licence rules & more

GB News has rounded up the most important driving law changes introduced over the last month that you may have missed.

Road Safety Strategy

Labour finally unveiled details of its long-awaited Road Safety Strategy to improve conditions across the country and crack down on the number of people killed and seriously injured on roads.

Some of the measures proved controversial, although the Government is insistent that the measures will help to reduce the number of accidents by 65 per cent over the next 10 years.

Data from the Department for Transport shows that four people die on Britain's roads every year, with plans to crack down heavily on those flouting the rules.

Five consultations have been launched, with one set to hear opinions on introducing a mandatory six-month learning period for learner drivers before they can take their test.

Elderly drivers are also in the firing line, with plans to introduce mandatory eyesight tests, while further proposals could look to launch "cognitive" tests for those over the age of 70 in the coming years.

Motoring offences, such as drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, driving unlicensed and driving without a current MOT, are set to face far harsher consequences.

Labour is looking to make changes to driving licence categories for mopeds and motorcycles, potentially restricting riders to automatic machines if they complete their CBT test on one.

The final major change in the Road Safety Strategy is to mandate vehicle safety technologies in GB type approval, which would require vehicles to be fitted with safety technologies.

Driving licences

The Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland has confirmed it will introduce Graduated Driving Licences to place restrictions on young motorists.

The new rules aim to ease young motorists into driving, given that drivers between 17 and 23 represent 24 per cent of fatal or serious collisions, despite accounting for just eight per cent of licence holders.

Young people will be restricted via nighttime driving curfews for six months, age-related passenger bans and a mandatory minimum learning period of six months before a learner driver can undertake their practical driving test.

Drivers will also need to complete and record their programme of training in a logbook before they can take their test.

The rules are set to be rolled out on October 1 later this year, with the Department for Infrastructure launching a public information campaign about the rules soon.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said: "Behind these figures are too many shattered lives as loved ones who set off on an everyday journey suffer life-changing injuries or are never coming home to their family and friends.

"The fundamental goal of learning to drive and the licensing process should be to create drivers and motorcyclists who are safe, and not just technically competent, by the time they are permitted to drive or ride unsupervised."

Congestion Charge

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan confirmed rules on January 2, 2026, to increase the Congestion Charge from £15 to £18 for thousands of drivers travelling through the zone every day.

Electric vehicles are also being charged for entry into the zone in central London for the first time, although they will have a slightly cheaper rate.

There will be a 50 per cent discount for electric vans, HGVs, and quadricycles registered for Auto Pay, while electric cars, including Private Hire Vehicles, will receive a 25 per cent discount through the new Cleaner Vehicle Discount.