Every driving law change hitting in August including new licence rule impacting over 5.7MILLION Brits

The Sun

2 days ago

MILLIONS of drivers are being warned over huge law changes coming to force this August - including a new rule that will affect Brits aged 70 and above.
From the first of the month, elderly drivers will no longer be able to simply tick a box to renew their licence every three years.
Instead, they'll face stricter medical requirements in what officials are calling a major move to 'protect road safety' – but critics say it's just another bureaucratic nightmare for Britain's ageing population.
Under the new system, senior motorists will need medical confirmation from their GP to prove they are fit to drive, with eyesight and cognitive testing likely to be ramped up.
And in a twist that's already causing panic in online forums, some drivers could be randomly selected by the DVLA for additional health checks – even if they haven't reported any issues.
It means those in their 70s and beyond could now face licence restrictions such as only being allowed to drive during daylight hours, or being banned from motorway driving altogether.
Experts warn that the changes, while aimed at safety, could leave thousands stranded if they fail to jump through the new hoops in time.
Meanwhile, the August shake-up isn't just targeting pensioners.
Other rule changes are being quietly rolled out, including a harsher penalty system for drivers caught using mobile phones at the wheel.
The standard fine is now based on income, with repeat offenders potentially losing a full week's wages – or more.
There's also growing pressure in Scotland to introduce longer prison sentences for dangerous driving offences that result in death, with calls for jail terms of up to 12 years for tailgating, speeding and other reckless behaviours.
Road campaigners have welcomed the tighter restrictions, but motoring groups say drivers are being blindsided by a flurry of confusing changes with barely any public awareness.
The DVLA has urged drivers to prepare early, especially those approaching their renewal date.
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With GP appointments already hard to come by and test backlogs still lingering, many fear the new rules could lead to chaos – or worse, people losing their licences through no fault of their own.
As the rules kick in nationwide, one thing's clear: whether you're 70 or 27, August is the month drivers need to stay alert – or risk getting caught out.
As well as harsher rules put in place for the elderly, freight bosses and HGV drivers will be hit with new regulations next month.
Lorries, coaches and commercial vans regularly crossing UK borders must now work with the next-generation Smart Tachograph 2 system.
From August 19, 2025, any vehicle already using Smart Tachograph 1 for international routes must be upgraded or face enforcement action.
If you've still got an analogue or early digital tacho and travel abroad, the hammer came down even earlier—by 31 December 2024 you should have the new device fitted.
Tacho tech geeks will tell you the Smart Tacho 2 is no ordinary log‑book gadget—it automatically records border crossings, logs loading and unloading, and picks up whether you're carrying goods or passengers.
Some versions even sync up with GNSS signals to fight tampering and allow remote data reading by enforcement officers.
The backend admin work has also ramped up.
From April 21, 2025, international trips require 56 days of driver records—double the previous 28-day obligation—so operators must tighten up compliance files or face scrutiny.
Operators involved in EU, non‑EU or cross‑channel journeys must comply with the AETR drivers' hours regime rather than domestic UK rules—that means fresh training, sharper documentation and no room for error.
Industry insiders warn the cost is steep: expect around £1,500–£2,200 per vehicle once you factor in unit price, installation, calibration and post‑fit training for drivers—and delays at approved centres are already being reported.
To be clear: if you stick solely to UK‑only deliveries, you can still run older analogue or Smart 1 tachos—for now.
But any lorry pushing into EU or overseas routes after the deadlines and still running outdated kit will face major fines and possible enforcement bans.
With the clock ticking, operators have just weeks to secure workshop slots and make sure fleets are compliant.
This isn't just a technical update—it's a total overhaul of cross-border road haulage regulation.
Get it sorted now, or risk being left on the roadside when the rule‑book changes bite hard come August 2025.
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