Driving law changes launching in March will see car tax updates, new DVSA rules and price hikes

Felix Reeves

By Felix Reeves


Published: 28/02/2026

- 06:00

New rules are launching for motorists taking their driving tests in the coming months

Motorists face a number of key driving law changes over the coming weeks as they could face new costs and receive updates on car taxes.

Several crucial motoring rules have been updated in the first two months of the year, with further changes expected in March that Britons need to be aware of.


With new rules being introduced over the coming weeks, GB News has rounded up the most important driving law changes in March that could impact you.

Car tax

Drivers have until March 18 to give their feedback to the Government on the introduction of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) announced in the Autumn Budget last year.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves outlined the terms of eVED, which will see electric car owners pay 3p per mile and hybrids pay 1.5p per mile from 2028.

The changes are being introduced to help the Government manage finances as fewer drivers buy petrol and diesel, and receipts from fuel duty continue to plunge as motorists switch to electric cars.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves, a vehicle tax reminder letter and a petrol pump

Several crucial driving law changes will be introduced in the coming weeks

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PA/GETTY

Fuel duty

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the planned fuel duty increase on March 23, 2026, would not take place, and would instead be extended for a further five months.

The 5p per litre cut to the rate of fuel duty was introduced in March 2022 in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which sent fuel prices spiralling.

The fuel duty cut will be reversed in three stages, including by one penny in September, 2p in December and 2p in March 2027.

Driving test booking website

New driving test measures are being introduced at the end of March

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PA

Advisory fuel rates

HM Revenue and Customs has launched new measures for petrol, diesel, electric and LPG vehicle drivers in its first update to AFRs this year.

AFRs apply to company car users, with the rates designed to reimburse employees for business travel in their company cars, or for employees to repay the cost of fuel used for private travel.

Driving tests

From March 31, 2026, learner motorists will only be able to make two changes to their driving test booking, rather than the current six.

Potential amendments to tests include changing the date or time, changing the test centre, or swapping an appointment with another learner driver who already has a test booked.

However, drivers will still be able to make multiple changes at one time, such as amending the date and test centre together.

Rachel Reeves snapped preparing for second Budget

Rachel Reeves delivered her Autumn Budget in November last year

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TREASURY

Spring Statement

Rachel Reeves will deliver the Government's first financial update of the year on March 3, 2026, as Labour faces pressure to cut costs for Britons.

No significant tax changes are expected to take place, although the Labour MP for Leeds West and Pudsey could provide updates on pay-per-mile car taxes or fuel duty changes.

She could also provide new guidance about the digital driving licence, which is expected to begin a nationwide rollout in the coming months.