UK Driving Law Changes 2025: Eye Tests, Drink-Drive Limits, Seatbelt Rules & More

By MAJ Law on 11 August 2025

The UK Government is preparing one of the most significant overhauls to driving laws in decades - and if the proposals go ahead, they could impact millions of motorists across England and Wales.

From compulsory eye tests for older drivers to a tougher drink-driving limit, and even penalty points for not wearing a seatbelt, the planned measures are designed to improve road safety and reduce serious road accidents.

Mandatory Eyesight Tests for Drivers Over 70 Could Soon Be Introduced

One of the most discussed proposals in the UK Government’s planned motoring law reforms is the introduction of mandatory eyesight tests for drivers aged 70 and over.

At present, the DVLA relies on motorists to self-report any problems with their vision when renewing a licence - a system that senior coroners have criticised as the “laxest in Europe.” In fact, an inquest into four deaths caused by motorists with deteriorating eyesight concluded that the current approach is “ineffective, unsafe and unfit for purpose.”

The proposed change follows several high-profile cases in which older drivers with untreated or worsening vision were involved in fatal road accidents. Road safety campaigners argue that introducing compulsory vision checks at regular intervals could help reduce the risk of similar tragedies, particularly as age-related conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration can develop gradually and go unnoticed.

Why Supporters Say the Reform is Needed

According to road safety data, drivers with poor eyesight are significantly more likely to be involved in collisions - particularly those that occur at junctions or involve vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Regular eyesight testing could ensure that drivers maintain the visual standards required to react quickly and safely on the road.

The proposed reforms would require drivers aged 70 and above to pass an eyesight test every three years when renewing their licence, bringing the UK closer in line with stricter testing regimes already in place across Europe.

Concerns Over Implementation

However, not everyone is convinced the rollout will be straightforward. Some older drivers, such as Peter Browne, 73, from Great Yarmouth, have expressed concerns over NHS appointment delays and access to opticians. Browne, who has glaucoma, told the BBC that he has struggled to book an eye test and questioned whether responsibility should rest with the driver or the healthcare system.

Critics warn that without adequate NHS resources and affordable access to private optometry services, some pensioners could find themselves unfairly penalised or even lose their independence due to delays in obtaining a valid test result.

The Road Ahead

If the reform is approved, it will represent a significant cultural and legal shift in the UK’s approach to elderly driver safety. Supporters say it’s a common-sense measure that could save lives, while opponents stress the importance of balancing safety with fairness and accessibility.

Lower Drink-Driving Limit Could Align England and Wales with Scotland

Another major reform being considered is a reduction in the drink-driving limit from 35 micrograms to 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. This would match Scotland’s drink-driving laws, which were introduced in 2014.

Why the Limit Could Be Lowered

Research from Scotland shows that while the stricter limit did not lead to a dramatic drop in drink-driving collisions, it shifted public opinion and reinforced a zero-tolerance attitude towards mixing alcohol and driving. UK ministers hope for the same cultural change in England and Wales, making it the social norm to avoid alcohol entirely before getting behind the wheel.

What This Means for Drivers

If implemented, the new limit could mean that even a single pint of beer or one glass of wine could put you over the legal threshold. Factors such as body weight, gender, food consumption, and metabolism make it almost impossible for drivers to accurately gauge whether they are under the limit. The safest approach, experts stress, is not to drink at all if you plan to drive.

 

Seatbelt Law Reforms: Penalty Points Could Soon Apply

Failing to wear a seatbelt could soon result in penalty points as well as a fine of up to £500. The change would bring the offence in line with other serious motoring breaches, such as using a mobile phone while driving.

Why the Change?

Fines alone aren’t stopping repeat offenders. Penalty points stay on your licence, increase insurance costs, and can lead to disqualification after 12 points in three years - a serious risk for anyone who needs their licence for work or family.

The Safety Stats

DfT figures show that around 30% of car crash fatalities involve someone not wearing a seatbelt. Unbelted drivers and passengers are twice as likely to die in an accident. Rear-seat passengers and rural areas have lower compliance rates.

Impact of Penalty Points

Campaigners believe the tougher penalties will push more people to buckle up. Losing your licence, or paying more for insurance, is a far greater deterrent than a one-off fine.

What Drivers Should Know

If approved, the reforms mean failing to wear a seatbelt will be treated as a high-risk motoring offence. It could cost you far more than money - it could cost you your licence.

Tougher Drug-Driving Laws Could Make Convictions Easier to Secure

Another key part of the proposed UK motoring law reforms is aimed at making it easier for police to secure drug-driving convictions.

At present, when a driver is stopped on suspicion of drug-driving, police use a roadside saliva test (often referred to as a “drug wipe”) to screen for the presence of illegal substances such as cannabis and cocaine. However, a positive roadside result is not enough to prosecute. Under current law, the result must be confirmed by a blood sample taken at a police station before the case can proceed to court.

What Could Change

Under the new proposals, a positive roadside drug-driving test could be accepted as sufficient evidence to charge a driver, removing the need for a follow-up blood test.

This change would streamline the process, allowing officers to take immediate action without the delays and complications that sometimes occur between the initial stop and the blood test stage. It could also make it harder for offenders to avoid prosecution by refusing or delaying the provision of a blood sample.

Why Supporters Back the Reform

Advocates of the change believe it will:

  • Speed up drug-driving prosecutions, reducing the time from arrest to court.

  • Lower costs for police forces and the criminal justice system by removing the need for expensive laboratory testing in every case.

  • Close legal loopholes that currently allow offenders to escape justice when blood samples are deemed inadmissible or not taken in time.

  • Improve road safety by ensuring drug-impaired drivers are removed from the road more quickly.

The Wider Problem of Drug-Driving

Drug-driving has been described as a growing “silent threat” on UK roads. Department for Transport (DfT) statistics show a steady increase in drug-driving arrests and collisions, with some police forces reporting more drug-driving cases than drink-driving cases in recent years. Campaigners argue that stronger drug-driving laws are essential to reverse this trend and deter would-be offenders.

What This Means for Drivers

If implemented, the reform could mean that a positive roadside saliva test alone could lead to a conviction. This would place greater importance on understanding the strict drug-driving limits in the UK, which apply not only to illegal drugs but also to certain prescription medications.

Motorists taking prescription drugs such as diazepam, morphine, or strong painkillers should always check with their doctor or pharmacist to ensure they are legally safe to drive.

NEXT STEPS:

At M.A.J Law, our team of motoring defence solicitors specialises in defending cases involving drink-driving, drug-driving, speeding, and other motoring offences. We stay ahead of every legislative change so we can offer our clients the best possible defence.

 

📞 If you’re facing a motoring charge or want advice on how these proposed changes could affect you, contact us today for a free consultation.

 

View Original Article