June 2026 brings a wave of new driving rules and legal changes that all road users in the UK need to understand. Starting Monday, June 1, several updates from the DVSA, DVLA, and the government will take effect, impacting everything from MOT tests to driving test bookings. Here is a full breakdown of the six most important changes.
MOT Test Changes for Electric Vans
From June 1, 2026, electric vans weighing between 3.5 and 4.25 tonnes will no longer require their first MOT after just one year. Instead, they will align with diesel and petrol vans, needing their first MOT after three years. This change eliminates the previous heavy vehicle classification for electric vans, reducing early testing burdens and promoting cleaner commercial transport.
Driving Test Centre Restrictions
Starting June 9, 2026, if you book a new driving test, you will only be able to reschedule it to one of the three test centres nearest to your original booking location. You can still assist others in booking tests, but the person you help must be present during the process. Use their own email and phone number, and ensure they complete as many steps as possible independently.
Driving Test Centre Rebooking Rules
From June 9, you can only move your test to the centre where you first booked it. For existing bookings, the rule applies to the centre where your test is currently scheduled on that date, not the original booking location. This aims to reduce last-minute centre changes and improve test availability.
Reporting Medical Conditions to the DVLA
The DVLA anticipates over 900,000 medical notifications this financial year. To handle this influx, the agency has partnered with CustomerFirst, forming a NewCo team to improve the Drivers Medical service. This service helps drivers determine if they need to inform the DVLA about medical conditions, ensuring road safety and compliance.
Advisory Fuel Rate Updates
HMRC will publish new advisory fuel rates (AFRs) at the start of June, as it does every three months. These rates apply to company car users. If your mileage rate does not exceed the AFR for your engine size and fuel type, no taxable profit or Class 1A National Insurance arises. The new rates will increase for petrol, diesel, and LPG engines, while electric vehicle rates remain unchanged.
Deadline for Smart Tachograph Rules
From July 1, 2026, vans and light commercial vehicles weighing 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes used for international freight or cabotage must be fitted with a second-generation smart tachograph (Smart Tachograph 2 or G2V2). This gives motorists until June 30 to prepare. The rule, part of the EU Mobility Package I, lowers the tachograph threshold from 3.5 tonnes to 2.5 tonnes for cross-border operations.
