Summer 2026 brings a cluster of changes to UK driving rules — some that save you money, one big one that didn't happen, and a few that quietly tighten the system. Here's the plain-English roundup of what's changed and who it actually affects.
Heavier electric vans get an easier first MOT
From 1 June 2026, electric vans weighing between 3,501kg and 4,250kg no longer need their first MOT after just one year. Until now, these vehicles faced tougher testing than comparable petrol and diesel vans — purely because their batteries make them heavier. The Department for Transport says aligning the rules could cut testing costs and downtime for affected operators by up to 60%.
For most drivers this changes nothing — it's aimed at businesses running larger electric vans. But it's a sign of the direction of travel as the fleet electrifies. If you run one, your testing schedule just got simpler. Not sure when a vehicle is next due? You can check any vehicle's MOT history and expiry free with its registration.
Mileage allowance jumps from 45p to 55p
If you drive your own car for work, this is the headline. The Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP) for the first 10,000 business miles rose from 45p to 55p per mile — confirmed in the Commons on 21 May 2026 and backdated to April 2026. It's the first rise in over a decade, and it matters because 45p had fallen badly behind real running costs as fuel and servicing prices climbed.
Miles above 10,000 in a tax year stay at 25p. If your employer pays the approved rate, you'll simply see more per mile; if they pay less, you may be able to claim the difference as tax relief.
Company-car fuel rates go up too
HMRC's quarterly Advisory Fuel Rates — used to reimburse company-car drivers for fuel — rose from 1 June 2026. The largest engines saw the biggest jump: petrol over 2,000cc went from 22p to 26p a mile, and diesel over 2,000cc from 18p to 23p. If you drive a company car, check your employer is using the new figures.
New limits on rebooking a driving test
From 9 June 2026, if you book a new car driving test you can only move it to the three nearest test centres or back to your original centre. The goal is to stop bots and third parties from grabbing slots and reselling them — a problem that has made tests harder to get. Genuine learners shouldn't notice much; the squeeze is on the resellers.
The four-year MOT that didn't happen
You may have seen headlines suggesting the first MOT could move from three years to four. After a full consultation, the government rejected the idea. The "3-1-1" rule stays: first MOT at three years, then annually. Industry bodies including the RAC, AA and IMI backed keeping it, arguing the safety risks outweighed the modest savings. So nothing changes — but it's worth knowing, because a lot of drivers were left unsure. (We've written a fuller explainer on why the four-year MOT was scrapped.)
Fuel duty: the freeze holds
Finally, the planned fuel-duty rise was scrapped and the temporary 5p-per-litre cut extended to the end of 2026 — so duty won't push pump prices up this autumn. What happens in spring 2027 is still undecided and likely to be set at the Autumn Budget.
The bottom line
Most of summer 2026's changes are gentle: more generous mileage rates, a simpler MOT rule for big electric vans, and a tighter test-booking system. The biggest news is what stayed the same — your first MOT is still due at three years, and fuel duty is frozen. If you want to stay on top of a specific car, you can check its tax and MOT status free any time with its registration.
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