Transport Changes in 2026: What Van & HGV Drivers Need to Know

Industry News

10 Feb

Photo by Artem Balashevsky on Unsplash‍ ‍

The UK transport industry is constantly changing and evolving, and 2026 is already shaping up to be no different, with major changes in regulations, technology and compliance. We’ll be breaking down these key changes happening in 2026, and what they mean for van drivers, HGV drivers, and transport managers.

From the new price transparency schemes, digital driving licenses and new tachograph technology, drivers and operators need to stay ahead of potential compliance risks.

You may be asking ‘why are these changes important?’ Ultimately the UK government is working towards making the roads a safer place to be, as well as trying to cut costs for drivers, amidst rising costs, and tighter margins.

Fuel Finder

1 week ago, on February 2nd, the Government launched a new scheme ‘Fuel Finder’ which requires all UK forecourts to report live pump prices (updated within 30 minutes of price changes), allowing customers to make informed decisions on the cheapest place to buy petrol and diesel. The scheme was introduced after investigations found UK drivers had been overcharged by fuel retailers, with transparency expected to increase competition and reduce overall costs.

Every fuel retailer in the UK, including supermarkets, is required to take part, in an attempt to bring the cost to the consumer down, in a bid to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. It’s estimated that these changes could save the average family £40 per year.

Whilst 75% of retailers had reportedly completed their sign up by the deadline, the rollout to consumers isn’t due until the Spring, when drivers will be able to access local petrol and diesel prices through their phone through their existing navigation or comparison apps.

Retailers who fail to meet KPIs such as reporting price changes within 30 minutes may face potential financial penalties.

What are the key take aways for drivers & operators?

· Easier fuel cost planning for routes

· Better visibility for fuel card decision-making

· Potential reduction in operating costs over time

Digital Driving Licenses

Back in January 2025, the UK Government announced the ‘GOV.UK Wallet’ to simplify access to services and documents, such as the incoming digital driving license, as part of reforms to the public sector, expected to save up to £45 billion. At the time it was announced rollout would be before Summer 2025, although timeline has since slipped to ‘by 2027’,

The system, which is currently in testing phase, will give drivers access to identification which will be legal for use in exactly the same way as physical documents are, including proof of age, driving status, and verification purposes.

What This Means for the Industry

Digital licences could eventually:

· Speed up roadside checks

· Simplify onboarding and verification

· Reduce admin for transport operators

For logistics companies, this signals a wider move toward fully digital compliance processes.

Smart Tachograph 2

What is Smart Tachograph 2?

Smart Tacho 2 (the 2nd generation smart tachograph) is the advanced digital tachograph installed in trucks to record driving and rest times, used to keep professional drivers compliant with law. Smart Tacho was first mandatory in 2019, following the introduction of EU legislation, that required more accurate and advanced data. Further legal requirements have led to the development of the second generation, which has been mandatory in all trucks and buses since August 2025.

What are the headline updates?

· Direct data exchange with authorities:

o New DSCR technology means Smart Tacho 2 can remotely transmit data while driving, meaning inspectors can check drivers are compliant, without having to pull the vehicle into a DVSA check point. The system works via a short-range connection, whereby the tachograph transmits certain data, such as exceeding maximum driving time, to inspectors while the vehicle drives past. This allows enforcement officers to quickly see whether there may be violations and only stop suspicious vehicles for a more extensive inspection. The technology also allows fleet managers to remotely read tachograph data using special software, which may allow for more efficient planning, as well as ensuring compliance from the top.

· Automatic registration of country codes

o Drivers no longer need to pull over when crossing national borders; border crossings are now recorded automatically, removing the need for drivers to stop at the border, improving efficiency, reducing admin time for drivers, and improving compliance. It’s worth noting that on Smart Tacho 2, you will still need to enter the country code manually at the start and end of your shift. It’s also worth noting that you will need a generation 2, version 2 drivers' card for this technology to work.

· New ‘loading and unloading’ modes

o The new tachographs also feature a new input mode that marks you as loading or unloading. Using this is not mandatory, as ‘other work’ still features and functions, but the new mode does allow you to record your activities more accurately.

What are the deadlines?

By now, all new vehicles over 3.5t operating internationally within the EU should have been updated to the latest Smart Tacho 2, with just light commercial vehicles (2.5t-3.5t) transporting internationally which require updating before 1st July 2026.

Overall, these changes represent a positive step forward for the industry. Increased fuel price transparency gives drivers greater control over operating costs, protecting already tight margins. The move toward digital driving licenses should reduce paperwork, and create a more efficient, modern system that reflects the rest of the industry. Meanwhile tachograph changes will improve accuracy, reduce unnecessary roadside stops, and support more efficient enforcement, meaning compliant drivers spend less time dealing with disruptions from the DVSA, and more time on the move, making money!

For operators these changes should support improved compliance, better planning, and better long term cost control. Importantly, these changes should also benefit the wider UK economy, notably the digital driving license expected saving the public sector £45 billion.