The UK is entering one of its biggest road‑safety shake‑ups in years, with new DVLA reforms, mandatory eyesight‑testing proposals, and a government strategy aimed at cutting deaths and serious injuries by 2035.

Compliance for Safer Roads: The Latest DVLA & Government Updates Shaping UK Road Safety

The UK government has launched a series of major reforms designed to strengthen road safety, modernise driver licencing, and address long‑standing enforcement gaps. These changes, many driven by new DVLA processes and the 2026 Road Safety Strategy, signal a decisive shift toward stricter compliance and evidence‑led policymaking.

Tougher Action on Illegal Number Plates

A key focus is the crackdown on cloned and illegal number plates, which MP’s warn are increasingly linked to wider criminal activity. The government is reviewing the registered number plate supplier scheme and considering a new British standard to make plates harder to fake. Technology upgrades are also planned to help authorities identify illegal plates more effectively.

Medical Licencing Delays Under Scrutiny

The DVLA has faced criticism for delays in processing medical licensing cases, delays that have left some drivers unable to work or travel. In response, the agency has rolled out a single digital casework system to streamline the 830,000 annual medical licensing decisions, aiming to improve both efficiency and safety.

Mandatory Eyesight Testing for Older Drivers

One of the most talked-about proposals is the introduction of mandatory eyesight tests for drivers over 70. New data shows nearly 33,000 licences were revoked or refused between 2022 and 2025 due to drivers failing to meet legal eyesight standards. Police already have powers to revoke licences on the spot if a driver fails the roadside 20‑metre test.

The government’s 2026 Road Safety Strategy includes a consultation on making eyesight testing compulsory for older drivers, part of a broader effort to reduce collisions linked to impaired vision.

Drink‑Driving Limits Under Review

The government is also considering lowering the drink‑drive limit from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood, bringing England and Wales in line with Scotland. This follows data showing up to 320 deaths in 2022 involved a driver over the legal limit.

A New Road Safety Strategy for a New Era

Published in January 2026, the Road Safety Strategy sets out ambitious targets to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 2035. It focuses on:

• Technology and innovation
• Safer infrastructure
• Robust enforcement
• Post‑collision care

It also launches consultations on:

• Minimum learning periods for new drivers
• Mandatory eyesight testing
• Motorcycle training reforms
• Mandated vehicle‑safety technologies

Legislative Changes Already Underway

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 came into force in March 2025, updating key elements of the licensing framework across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Why These Changes Matter

With an average of four lives lost every day on UK roads in 2024, the government is under pressure to deliver meaningful improvements. These reforms aim to close compliance gaps, modernise outdated systems, and ensure drivers remain fit and safe behind the wheel.

further information:                 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/695e2cff8832ab3a48513809/road-safety-strategy.pdf