Starting April 8, people purchasing new petrol and diesel vehicles with high CO2 emissions will face a significant increase in first-year road tax. Vehicles that produce the highest emissions can now cost up to £5,690 to register. The increase mainly impacts cars emitting more than 255g/km of CO2. The tax system follows a tier-based structure, meaning the higher the emissions, the higher the tax. Over recent years, the top emission bands have seen the biggest increases, nearly doubling. In comparison, vehicles with lower emissions will experience only minor changes in their tax rates.
Annual Tax After First Year
This higher charge applies only during the first year of registration. From the second year onwards, all vehicles will move to the standard annual Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rate, which is expected to remain around £200. This structure ensures that while high-emission vehicles face a strong initial cost, their long-term annual tax remains stable and predictable.
EV Tax Changes From April 2026
From April 2026, electric vehicles (EVs) will be included fully under the standard VED system. EV owners will now need to pay the standard annual tax rate of £200, which may increase gradually with inflation. However, there is some relief as the Expensive Car Supplement threshold has been raised from £40,000 to £50,000. This means many mid-range EVs will no longer need to pay the additional £425 yearly charge. Additionally, the Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax for company EVs will rise slightly from 3% to 4%, though it will still remain much lower than taxes on petrol or diesel vehicles.
New Driving Test Booking Rules
From April 8 updated rules for booking driving tests have been introduced. Learners are now allowed to modify their test booking only twice, including changes to the date, time, or test center. If further changes are required, the booking must be cancelled and a new one made. However, candidates who cancel more than 10 working days before their test will receive a full refund. These changes aim to prevent misuse of the system, such as holding multiple bookings or frequently rescheduling, which has led to long waiting times of around 22 to 24 weeks in many areas. Additional updates are expected, including restrictions on how far a test date can be shifted and ensuring only the learner can manage their booking.
Pavement Parking Enforcement Plans
New proposals aim to give local authorities in England stronger powers to address pavement parking issues. Vehicles parked on pavements often create difficulties for pedestrians, wheelchair users, and parents with strollers. These measures are part of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which is currently under review in the House of Lords between March 24 and April 13. If approved, the rules could lead to stricter enforcement and improved accessibility on public walkways.
