Understanding the proposed changes to driving laws

• A major new road safety strategy was announced by the government this week, which included some significant changes to UK driving laws.
• Proposed changes include a reduced drink-drive limit, mandatory eye tests for over 70s, extended learning periods for new drivers, and more

Following the Government’s announcement this week of a comprehensive new Road Safety Strategy, we want to help drivers navigate the most unprecedented change to UK driving laws in over a decade.

The strategy, which aims to reduce the number of road-related deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035, introduces several significant proposals from stricter drink-driving limits to an extended ‘minimum learning period’ for learner drivers.

Below we outline some of the major reforms that could be implemented as part of the government’s new strategy, and what they could mean for you.

Lowering the drink-drive limit

The Government is consulting on lowering the drink-drive limit in England and Wales from 35 to 22mcg per 100ml of breath, bringing it in line with the limit in Scotland. Currently, England and Wales have the highest limits in Europe.

The proposed shift to a 22mcg limit would effectively end the ‘one for the road’ culture. For drivers, that means that even one small drink could put your licence at risk. From an insurance perspective, any drink-driving conviction can make finding affordable cover very difficult in the future. Our advice is simple: if you’re driving, the safest limit is zero.

Mandatory eye tests for over-70s

In a move to manage the UK’s rapidly growing ageing population, it has been proposed that drivers aged 70 and above must pass an obligatory eye test every three years to keep their licence renewed.

This isn’t about taking away trust; it’s about verifying safety. Many drivers don’t even notice their vision deteriorating over time. These mandatory tests would potentially help motorists stay on the road longer by helping drivers identify issues, such as cataracts, which could be dealt with prior to something more severe happening.

Minimum learning periods for new drivers

To tackle the high accident rate among newly-passed motorists, a new minimum learning period is being considered. Learner drivers will face up to 6 months before they can sit their test under new proposals. 

Young drivers aged 17-24 are involved in nearly a quarter of all serious collisions. A mandatory learning period ensures that learners build up a significant amount of experience before hitting the road. While this will mean it will take longer to get licensed, it could ultimately lead to lower insurance premiums as new driver risk should be lower.

Tougher penalties for uninsured drivers

The government is consulting on doubling the fixed penalty for driving without insurance from £300 to £600. The goal is to ensure that the fine significantly exceeds the cost of an average insurance premium, removing any “financial incentive” for some to risk driving uninsured.

For too long, the fine for driving uninsured has been lower than the cost of a policy, which is a logic we are pleased the government is challenging. At ALA, we know that the 300,000 uninsured drivers on our roads aren’t just a hazard, but they add an estimated £50 to £100 onto the premiums of every law-abiding motorist. This new proposal sends a clear message that insurance is a necessity, not an option.

Penalty points for not wearing a seatbelt

The government is also seeking feedback on introducing 3 penalty points for failing to wear a seatbelt, currently only a fine-based offence in the UK.

Moving from a fine to penalty points is a major deterrent. It treats seatbelt safety with the same seriousness as speeding or phone usage. From an insurance perspective, points on a licence are a primary factor in premium increases, so the cost of not buckling up has just become much higher.