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conviction for drink or drug driving carries a mandatory minimum 12-month disqualification, sometimes reducible by up to a quarter for completing a course. Whether this minimum period will be increased remains to be seen.
Alcohol interlock devices
The strategy explores the introduction of sentences for drink drivers requiring the mandatory installation of alcohol interlock devices, which require a driver to provide a breath sample before the vehicle will start. These are already used in parts of Europe, particularly France.
Suspending licences pending proceedings
The Government is considering new powers to suspend licences for those charged with drink or drug driving, pending their first court hearing, as well as for those under investigation for drink or drug driving causing serious injury or death. Currently, neither the police nor the courts have the power to impose an immediate disqualification pending a charge, meaning that someone may continue driving for months or even years while under investigation. Such measures would undoubtedly be controversial, particularly for those wrongly accused, as they could result in the loss of licences for months/years – and therefore the loss livelihoods and homes - before guilt is proven. And if those people then have charges dropped, or are acquitted at trial, we will see countless lives ruined for nothing.
Drug-driving evidence collection
At present, suspected drug drivers must be taken to a police station where a blood sample is taken by a healthcare professional and sent to a laboratory for analysis. This process is complex, time-consuming, expensive, and regularly sees cases take months to get to court. The Government is exploring alternative technologies to streamline and speed up this process.
Seat belt offences
There are proposals to introduce penalty points for failing to wear a seat belt. Currently, this offence carries a fine only. The Government is considering introducing three penalty points for drivers who fail to wear a seat belt and for drivers who fail to ensure that child passengers are properly restrained.
There is no mention of changing existing exemptions, so it is hoped these will remain in place.
PHTM FEBRUARY 2026 Failing to stop or report collisions
Currently, failing to stop at the scene of an accident or failing to report an accident carries between 5 and 10 penalty points, with disqualification or imprisonment reserved for only the most serious cases involving severe injury. The strategy lacks detail on whether new laws will be introduced or whether enforcement of existing laws will simply be strengthened, but it clearly signals a tougher approach to drivers who leave the scene without exchanging details.
Unlicensed, uninsured, or unroadworthy driving
Driving without a licence currently carries 3–6 penalty points, driving without insurance 6–8 points, and driving without an MOT carries no penalty points at all (just a fine). While specific changes have not been confirmed, the strategy suggests tougher enforcement and potentially harsher penalties for those who drive unlicensed, uninsured, or without a valid MOT.
Illegal and ‘ghost’ number plates
The use of illegal and so-called “ghost” number plates - plates that appear normal but disappear when photographed - is becoming increasingly common. At present, enforcement is limited to offences such as using a defective number plate, which carries a fine only, or more general criminal offences such as fraud/perverting the course of justice. The Government is considering introducing specific offences targeting illegal and ghost number plates, with tough penalties.
As you will see, there are potentially a large number of new offences and procedures being proposed. The precise details and implementation timelines remain unclear, but many of these measures are likely to be introduced within the next year or two.
As always at Patterson Law, we will continue to monitor developments closely and update PHTM readers as more information becomes available.
If you need any advice on motoring matters, email
advice@pattersonlaw.co.uk or call 01626 359800 for free legal advice.
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