Made under the Road Traffic Act 1988

12 statutory instruments made using powers in the Road Traffic Act 1988, newest first. Each one is explained section by section in plain English.

The Motor Vehicles (Type Approval and Approval Marks) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Published: Thu 10th Sept 26 Comes into force: Sun 1st Nov 26

Increased the hourly rates for vehicle examinations and introduced new charges for specialist technical analysis and the use of government testing equipment.


These Regulations increase the fees charged by the Department for Transport for the examination and type approval of vehicles and vehicle parts.

The order establishes a two-tier hourly rate for DfT officers, introduces additional charges for the use of government-owned testing equipment, and defines new technical categories related to cyber security and automated driving systems.

These changes apply to vehicle manufacturers and entities seeking regulatory compliance for automotive components in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

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The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026

Published: Mon 6th Jul 26 Came into force: Mon 27th Jul 26

Amended driving licence regulations to extend the validity of Ukrainian driving permits for residents in Great Britain under specific immigration schemes.


These Regulations amend the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 to extend the period during which holders of Ukrainian driving licences for cars, motorcycles, and mopeds may legally drive in Great Britain.

The amendments apply to individuals who hold or have held specific types of leave under the Ukraine Scheme, including the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, Ukraine Family Scheme, and Ukraine Extension Scheme.

Depending on the specific visa held and the timing of the application, eligible persons are authorized to drive for either five years or six years and six months from the date they became resident in Great Britain, provided they have applied for an extension of their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave.

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The Removal, Storage and Disposal of Motor Vehicles Timeframes (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Published: Wed 1st Jul 26 Came into force: Wed 22nd Jul 26

Shortened the time periods and standardized the notice requirements for the retention and disposal of motor vehicles seized by police authorities.


These Regulations amend existing statutory instruments to shorten the mandatory timeframes for the retention and disposal of motor vehicles seized by the police. The order directs that previously varied periods—including 14 days, 21 days, 3 months, or 7 working days—be standardized to 7 calendar days for the purposes of vehicle collection and disposal eligibility.

It applies to police authorities and vehicle storage contractors in England and Wales, with certain parts also extending to Scotland.

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The Goods Vehicles (Testing, Drivers’ Hours and Tachographs etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Published: Wed 13th May 26 Came into force: Mon 1st Jun 26

Reclassified zero-emission goods vehicles up to 4,250kg into the Class 7 MOT regime and exempted them from standard drivers' hours and tachograph rules.


These Regulations modify the roadworthiness testing and operational rules for zero-emission goods vehicles weighing between 3,500kg and 4,250kg.

The instrument shifts these specific vehicles from the heavy vehicle testing regime into the Class 7 MOT system and exempts them from assimilated EU drivers' hours and tachograph requirements.

These changes apply to vehicle owners and transport undertakings in England, Wales, and Scotland, while also mandating a periodic review of the new rules every five years by the Secretary of State.

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The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2025

Published: Thu 16th Oct 25 Came into force: Fri 7th Nov 25

The regulations amended the requirements for glucose monitoring for Group 2 driving licence holders, updating language related to blood glucose testing to allow for broader, appropriate monitoring systems.


These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State under powers in the Road Traffic Act 1988, amend the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 to update the medical standards for Group 2 driving licences (bus and lorry drivers) concerning diabetes management, specifically by replacing the requirement for 'blood glucose monitoring' with 'appropriate monitoring to assess glucose levels and any risk of hypoglycaemia' and modifying requirements for monitoring devices.

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The Driving Licences (Exchangeable Licences) Order 2025

Published: Thu 10th Jul 25 Came into force: Thu 31st Jul 25

The Driving Licences (Exchangeable Licences) Order 2025 designated the Republic of Moldova's specified driving licenses as exchangeable with UK licenses, effective July 31, 2025.


This Order, effective July 31, 2025, designates the Republic of Moldova's driving licenses as exchangeable with UK licenses under the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The order specifies that exchangeable Moldovan licenses authorize driving category B vehicles and details conditions regarding automatic transmission.

It extends to England, Wales, and Scotland, and includes a Schedule listing other countries with exchangeable licenses.

The order allows for smoother transitions for drivers and simplifies administrative processes, relying on pre-existing legal frameworks.

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The Road Traffic Act 1988 (Police Driving: Prescribed Training) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Thu 3rd Jul 25 Came into force: Thu 24th Jul 25

The 2025 regulations amended the 2023 Road Traffic Act 1988 (Police Driving: Prescribed Training) Regulations to clarify training provider licensing, update training standards, and revise course details.


These regulations amend the 2023 Road Traffic Act 1988 (Police Driving: Prescribed Training) Regulations.

Key changes include clarifying that the College of Policing licenses training providers in England and Wales, updating references to training standards, and making various clarificatory amendments to course details in the schedule, including omissions of some courses.

The changes aim to improve clarity, consistency, and efficiency in police driver training.

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The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025

Published: Thu 22nd May 25 Came into force: Tue 10th Jun 25

The regulations amended the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 to clarify the driving licence requirements for zero-emission vehicles in Great Britain.


The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 amend the 1999 Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations.

Specifically, they revise the rules concerning the types of zero-emission vehicles that can be driven under certain licence categories in Great Britain.

The changes primarily relax restrictions on the maximum authorized mass of zero-emission vehicles that category B licence holders (standard car licence) can operate, allowing for larger vehicles and trailer combinations, with some stipulations on age and experience in certain cases.

The regulations also address the age restrictions for driving some medium-sized goods vehicles specified within the updated regulations, setting a single legal age of 17.

This legislation revokes and replaces previous regulations largely based on assimilated EU law.

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