5 New UK Driving Laws You Need to Know About for 2025

The UK government’s bringing in some new driving laws this year to make our roads safer and greener. 

As a professional in the transportation sector, staying ahead of these new driving laws is crucial to keep things running smoothly and avoid unpleasant surprises down the road. Don’t worry – we’ve got everything you need to know to stay compliant.

From Direct Vision Standard (DVS) enhancements in London to the end of Congestion Charge exemptions for electric vehicles, we’ll take you through 5 key changes that could affect your business.

1. Direct Vision Standard (DVS) HGV safety permit scheme

This rule from Transport for London (TfL) says that any HGV over 12 tonnes needs a safety permit to drive in Greater London. This rule isn't just for UK vehicles, though – if you're driving into the Greater London area from another country, you’ll still need to make sure your vehicle has this safety permit.

The permit is completely free and is based on your vehicle’s 0-5 ‘star rating’, which shows how well the driver can see vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians through their cab windows. If your vehicle has low visibility and doesn’t meet the minimum of 3 stars, you’ll need to comply with the Progressive Safe System and add extra safety features (like cameras and sensors) to get the safety permit.

The new DVS standard is in effect 24/7, and if you’re found to be non-compliant, you can face a penalty charge notice of £550 each time.

If you’re not sure about your vehicle’s star rating, you can check using Transport for London’s tool.

Note: If you applied for a grace period before 28 October 2024 and got the green light, you've got an extra six months, until 23:59 on 4 May 2025, to install the Progressive Safe System and get your HGV safety permit.

2. Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) reforms

As a professional driver, you know that to drive a HGV, bus, or coach, you need the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). 

What you might not know, is how the CPC is changing as of this year. 

You can stay qualified through one of the following new ways:

• International Driver CPC

• National Driver CPC
  
  

International Driver CPC

This is essentially a new name for the CPC you already know and applies to drivers working both in the UK and across the European Union.

If you're driving professionally, you’ll still need to do your 35 hours of training every 5 years to keep your CPC up to date, so no change here.

National Driver CPC

This is a more flexible version of the previous Driver CPC and is for those driving in the UK only. 

When it comes to staying CPC compliant, you’ve got a couple of options:

• Complete 35 hours of National Driver CPC training every 5 years

• Split your 35 hours between National and International Driver CPC training
  
  

3. Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) changes

Starting 1 April 2025, road tax (aka Vehicle Excise Duty) is going up for all types of vehicles. VED is based on your vehicle’s emissions, so the lower they are, the less you’ll pay in tax. 

But if you're driving an older vehicle with higher emissions, be prepared to pay more. From April 2025, the first-year tax for petrol and diesel cars emitting over 76g/km of CO2 is set to double.

You can find the full breakdown in the government’s guide to vehicle tax rates.

One of the biggest changes concerning car tax is that zero emission electric vehicles are no longer exempt from paying. New electric cars will cost £10 in the first year and £195 annually after that. 

The expensive car tax supplement will also apply to electric vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2025. This is an extra £425 from the second to the sixth year a car is on the road.

4. Congestion Charge exemptions ending for electric vehicles

More bad news for electric vehicle owners – starting December 2025, any vehicle entering London’s Congestion Charge zone will have to pay the £15 fee. Electrical vehicles and hydrogen-powered cars won’t be exempt anymore.

If your business switched to electric vans or cars to skip the regular Congestion Charge, you’ll now need to prepare for the extra costs.

While this is another blow for those with electric cars, with less traffic and pollution, this charge could make central London a more breathable and liveable place.

5. Automated Vehicles Act 2024

Self-driving cars are just around the corner – well, in 2026, anyway! The Automated Vehicles Act, passed in May 2024, establishes a legal framework and addresses liability, paving the way for self-driving cars on UK roads.

The Act makes sure all self-driving cars go through thorough safety testing. They’ll need to meet the same safety standards as human drivers before hitting the roads.

Self-driving cars are a bit of a double-edged sword. For businesses, they can reduce driver costs and make deliveries more efficient. But for drivers, it might mean fewer job opportunities as automation takes over some of the work.

Gear up for 2025 and get ready for the road ahead

As we get further into the year, you’ll need to keep an eye on how things change as these new driving laws roll out. But don’t worry – with a little preparation, you’ll be ready. Staying up-to-date and making small adjustments now will help keep your business on track. 

Whether it’s getting new safety permits, completing training, or understanding new charges, staying ahead of the game will make all the difference.