In January 2026, the Department for Transport launched a new Road Safety Strategy, setting out proposals aimed at improving safety on roads across Great Britain.
Alongside the strategy, several consultations have been introduced to gather feedback on potential changes to road safety legislation and policy. For employers whose staff drive or ride for work, the proposals highlight the importance of keeping occupational road risk policies under review.
Minimum learning period for learner drivers
The Government has launched a consultation on introducing a mandatory minimum learning period for learner drivers. Proposals suggest a minimum duration of either three or six months before a learner can take their driving test.
Stricter motoring offence measures
Further proposals are being considered as part of a wider motoring offences consultation, with a focus on improving road safety and reducing high-risk driving behaviours.
Alcohol limits and restrictions
The Government is consulting on introducing a lower blood alcohol limit for novice drivers. It is also considering lowering the alcohol limit for all drivers in England and Wales.
New enforcement and penalties
Other proposals include prohibiting individuals suspected of drink or drug offences, or those under investigation for serious driving offences involving fatalities, from driving until they attend court or enter a guilty plea.
There are also plans to extend minimum disqualification periods for certain offences, allow the seizure of vehicles from individuals arrested for drink or drug driving, and increase or introduce new penalties for offences such as not wearing a seatbelt, failing to stop and report an incident, and driving without a licence.
Testing for older drivers
The strategy also includes proposals to introduce mandatory eyesight testing for drivers over the age of 70, alongside the development of options for cognitive testing for older drivers.
Motorcycle licensing reforms
A separate consultation is focusing on reforms to the training, testing and licensing regime for Category A motorcycle licences in Great Britain.
Proposed changes to motorcycle training
These proposals include reviewing motorcycle categories (AM, A1, A2 and Full A), enabling a wider range of training courses, modernising instructor qualifications, updating Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) rules, and introducing a digital CBT platform.
Work-related road safety charter
The Government is also piloting a National Work-Related Road Safety Charter aimed at businesses whose employees drive or ride as part of their job.
The pilot is expected to run for two years and will build on existing initiatives such as National Highways’ Driving for Better Business programme, Transport for London’s meal and grocery delivery motorcycle safety charter, the DVSA’s Earned Recognition scheme, and the TyreSafe programme.
Vehicle safety technology requirements
Another key consultation focuses on the potential mandatory fitting of 18 safety technologies in relevant new vehicles.
Examples of proposed technologies
These could include blind spot information systems, emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, intelligent speed assistance, and tyre pressure monitoring systems.
Consultation deadlines extended
The original deadline of 31 March 2026 for responses to the five main consultations has been extended to 11 May 2026 for some of them. This extension follows the release of Welsh language and British Sign Language (BSL) video versions to improve accessibility.
Further details on the strategy and how to respond to the consultations can be found on the Gov.UK website.
What this means for employers
For organisations whose employees drive or ride as part of their role, these proposals reinforce the need for robust road safety policies and procedures.
Employers should review current arrangements to ensure they are effectively managing occupational road risk and supporting safe driving practices across their workforce.
How PIB Risk Management can help
Our Fleet Risk Management specialists can help your organisation review road safety policies, assess occupational driving risks and strengthen procedures for employees who drive or ride for work.
