A Guidance for WEU members
Major changes are coming to UK roads in 2025. These include updates to licensing for older drivers, tax changes for electric vehicles, new commercial driving standards, and safety measures. Whether you drive for work, commute daily, or are helping family members with their transport needs, it’s important to stay informed.
Below is a ‘breakdown and guidance’ of the most important updates, with notes on who is affected, what action may be needed
Licence Renewals for Drivers Over 70 (from July 2025)
Drivers aged 70 and over will still renew their licences every three years. However, new requirements may apply. Those flagged as high-risk may be asked to provide certified medical declarations or take additional vision or cognitive tests. Random checks by the DVLA will also be introduced.
What this means: Most older drivers will not be affected, but those with health conditions or chosen at random should expect more paperwork, possible costs, and longer waiting times. Planning ahead, especially for GP and eye appointments can make the process smoother.
Electric Vehicles to Start Paying Road Tax (from April 2025)
Until now, electric vehicles (EVs) have been exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). That ends in 2025. New EVs will pay £10 in their first year and £190 annually from 2026. Vehicles over £40,000 will also pay a luxury supplement.
What this means: If you’re planning to buy an EV, it’s important to factor in these new costs. While EVs remain cheaper to run overall, the tax advantage is narrowing.
Fuel Duty and a New App for Price Comparison
Fuel duty will stay frozen until at least March 2026. In addition, a new government-backed app, Fuel Finder, will launch later in 2025 to show real-time petrol and diesel prices across stations.
What this means: While prices remain high, more transparency should help drivers find fairer deals locally, particularly useful for those driving longer distances for work.
HGV Safety Permits Required in Greater London (by 4 May 2025)
All HGVs over 12 tonnes operating in Greater London will need a Direct Vision Safety Permit. Vehicles with poor visibility scores must be retrofitted with Progressive Safe Systems.
What this means: Employers must ensure permits are secured and safety upgrades completed. Non-compliance can lead to fines.
*The WEU believes that these costs and responsibility should not fall on individual drivers.
Smart Tachographs for Cross-Border Drivers (by 19 August 2025)
International HGV drivers must upgrade to Smart Tachograph v2 devices. These new systems log border crossings and loading data and include tamper prevention features.
What this means: Drivers on EU routes should ensure their vehicles are compliant.
*The WEU believes these training costs should be covered by employers.
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Company Car Tax (Benefit in Kind) Is Rising
From April 2025, the Benefit in Kind (BiK) tax rate will increase by 1% across all company car bands, including for EVs. Zero-emission cars will go from 2% to 3%.
What this means: If you use a company car through salary sacrifice, your costs may increase slightly.
Congestion Charge for EVs (from 2 January 2026)
Electric and hydrogen vehicles will no longer be exempt from the £15 daily congestion charge in London.
What this means: If you drive an EV in central London, expect additional daily charges. This could impact delivery workers, carers, and others who rely on vehicle access in the city.
Euro 7 Emission Standards (2026 Onwards)
Euro 7 rules will apply to new cars and vans from 2026, tightening emissions limits and requiring cleaner brakes and tyres.
What this means: It won’t affect existing vehicles but will change the standards for new models. Cleaner cars are coming but affordability must be part of the conversation.
Autonomous Vehicles: Trial Rollouts
The UK is moving toward the introduction of self-driving vehicles, with trials expected in 2026. New legislation ensures vehicles must meet strict safety standards.
What this means: No immediate impact, but automation could eventually change job patterns in transport and logistics.
*The WEU believes that Worker protections must be part of the planning.
AI Safety Camera Trials
Trials using AI to detect seatbelt and mobile phone offences are underway and due to conclude by March 2025.
What this means: If rolled out nationally, fines could be issued more quickly with less tolerance for minor infractions.
*The WEU believes that a fair appeals process must be guaranteed.
CPC Qualification Routes for Lapsed Drivers
Returning to professional driving will become easier with flexible online learning options, a new “return to driving” module, and separate routes for national vs international drivers.
What this means: If you’re thinking of getting back into driving, it will be simpler to requalify but training standards must remain high.
MOT-Style Checks in Guernsey
Guernsey may introduce inspections every three years for vehicles over five years old. This aligns with European practices.
What this means: UK-based drivers are not affected yet but similar rules may emerge depending on trade developments.
Industry Developments to Watch in 2025
- AESC’s EV battery Gigafactory opens in Sunderland, creating 1,000 jobs
- Chery, a Chinese automaker, enters the UK market with low-cost EVs and petrol cars
- DVSA aims to cut driving test delays and improve HGV testing standards
- New car registration plates (‘75’) will appear in September
Key Points at a Glance
- Over-70s licence renewal: More checks possible, especially for flagged health issues
- EV road tax: Introduced from April 2025, increasing running costs
- Fuel duty freeze: Extended to 2026, with new Fuel Finder app launching
- London HGV permits: Mandatory by May 2025, safety systems required
- Smart Tachographs: Needed for EU-bound HGVs by August 2025
- Company car BiK tax: Increasing by 1% across the board
- EV congestion charge: Exemption ends January 2026 in London
- Euro 7 standards: Apply to new vehicles from 2026
- Autonomous vehicles: On-road trials begin, with job impacts to consider
- AI safety cameras: Trial ends March 2025—possible national rollout
- Driver CPC routes: Easier re-entry for lapsed commercial drivers
- Guernsey inspections: New MOT-style checks proposed
- Emerging developments: EV battery production, new manufacturers, DVSA reforms
Stephen Morris, General Secretary of the Workers of England Union said
“Speak to our WEU office if you need support navigating these changes. Our job is to ensure no member is left behind as the transport rules evolve. We want our members to be informed and this guidance is to help our members understand what those changes can mean”.
References
- GOV.UK – Renew driving licence at 70 and over: https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence-at-70
- HM Treasury – Autumn Statement 2022, Vehicle Excise Duty on EVs from 2025: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/autumn-statement-2022-documents
- Transport for London – Direct Vision Standard and HGV Safety Permit requirements: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/deliveries-in-london/delivering-safely/direct-vision-in-london
- Transport for London – Congestion Charge: Cleaner Vehicle Discount ending: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge/discounts-and-exemptions
- GOV.UK / DVSA – Smart Tachograph v2 and Mobility Package: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-smart-tachograph-requirements