Three separate changes are landing on British drivers this autumn, and they hit different people in different ways: one at the pump, one on the roadside, and one on the payslip.
Quick answer: Fuel duty rose 1p on 1 September 2026 (first increase since 2011), with +2p in December and +2p in March 2027. ANPR enforcement against untaxed and untested vehicles is being expanded, and driving without a valid MOT risks a £1,000 fine and invalidated insurance. Benefit-in-Kind on electric company cars rises from 3% to 4% — still far below the 37% top rate for high-emission cars.
1. Fuel duty is rising in stages
The temporary 5p fuel duty cut, in place since March 2022, expired on 31 August 2026. Duty is now unwinding in three steps:
| Date | Change | Duty rate | Pump impact (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 September 2026 | +1p | 53.95p | ~1.2p/litre |
| 1 December 2026 | +2p | 55.95p | ~2.4p/litre |
| 1 March 2027 | +2p | 57.95p | ~2.4p/litre |
Because VAT at 20% applies on top of duty, each 1p of duty becomes roughly 1.2p at the till. Over the full unwind that is about 6p a litre, or around £67 a year for a driver covering 10,000 miles.
As of 28 August 2026, UK forecourts averaged 160.9p for petrol and 180.5p for diesel (live figures) — so the duty changes are arriving on top of an already elevated market.
The offset remains the same as ever: the spread between the cheapest and dearest forecourt in a single town is routinely 10-15p a litre, several times the entire September rise. Check the live map before you fill. Full detail in our September fuel duty guide.
2. ANPR enforcement is widening
This is the change most likely to catch people out, because it removes the assumption that a lapsed MOT goes unnoticed.
Automated Number Plate Recognition cameras check a registration against DVLA and MOT databases in real time. Police and enforcement agencies are expanding their use of ANPR specifically to identify untaxed or untested vehicles — no roadside stop or manual inspection required.
What it costs if you're caught
| Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Driving without a valid MOT | Fine of up to £1,000 |
| Untaxed vehicle | DVLA penalty, clamping or removal |
| Knock-on effect | Insurance claim may be declined |
That third row is the expensive one. Most policies require the vehicle to be roadworthy and legally taxed and tested. Drive on an expired MOT, have an accident, and your insurer may decline the claim — turning an administrative slip into a bill many times larger than the fine.
The practical fix
MOT and tax dates are easy to lose track of, particularly across a household with more than one car, and reminder letters go astray. The reliable approach is a reminder tied to the official records rather than to memory.
Our free MOT and tax reminder looks your dates up from DVSA and DVLA records using just the registration, then emails you before they expire — one vehicle free, no charge for the lookup.
3. Company car tax on EVs edges up
Benefit-in-Kind on electric company cars rises from 3% to 4%.
In isolation that is an increase, but it is worth keeping the comparison in view:
| Vehicle type | BiK rate |
|---|---|
| Electric company car | 4% |
| Higher-emission vehicles | up to 37% |
An electric company car remains dramatically the cheaper option on tax — the gap is nearly tenfold at the extremes. The rise signals the direction of travel rather than a reversal of the incentive, and it fits the broader pattern: as more of the fleet electrifies, the Treasury gradually rebalances what it collects.
If you are weighing a company car choice, our company car mileage allowance guide and electric vs petrol cost per mile cover the running-cost side.
The pattern behind all three
These are not unrelated. Fuel duty rising, EV company car tax rising, and a pay-per-mile EV tax arriving in 2028 all point the same way: the tax base is shifting as the fleet electrifies. Petrol and diesel volumes are falling, taking fuel duty revenue with them, and the shortfall is being made up gradually from both directions.
Meanwhile the ZEV mandate — under consultation until 23 October 2026 — keeps new petrol and diesel sales due to end in 2030.
What to actually do
- Check your MOT and tax dates now. Free lookup and reminders at /mot-reminder — this is the change with the highest cost of getting it wrong.
- Compare before every fill. The live map and town pages update every 15 minutes; a good forecourt choice outweighs every duty stage between now and 2027.
- Recheck your company car choice if you are due a renewal — 4% versus up to 37% is still a very wide gap.
The bottom line
Autumn 2026 brings a 1p fuel duty rise (with 4p more to come by March 2027), wider ANPR enforcement against untaxed and untested vehicles, and a 1-point rise in EV company car tax.
Only one of them can cost you four figures, and it is not the fuel duty. Make sure your MOT and tax are current — check yours free — then let the live price map handle the rest.
Duty figures reflect the confirmed HMRC schedule as of 28 August 2026. Penalty and enforcement details reflect DVLA and DVSA guidance. Live pump averages from the UK Government Fuel Finder scheme via Fuel Near You.
Frequently Asked Questions
What driving law changes are coming in autumn 2026?
Three main changes affect UK drivers this autumn: fuel duty rises 1p on 1 September 2026 with further rises in December and March 2027; ANPR camera enforcement against untaxed and untested vehicles is being expanded; and Benefit-in-Kind tax on electric company cars rises from 3% to 4%.
Can ANPR cameras detect a car with no MOT?
Yes. Automated Number Plate Recognition cameras check a plate against DVLA and MOT databases in real time, so an untaxed or untested vehicle can be flagged without a police officer inspecting it. Enforcement agencies are expanding their use of ANPR for exactly this purpose.
Does driving without an MOT invalidate your insurance?
It can. Most policies require the vehicle to be roadworthy and legally taxed and tested, so driving without a valid MOT risks your insurer declining a claim, on top of a fine of up to £1,000 for the MOT offence itself. It is one of the most expensive administrative mistakes a driver can make.
What is the Benefit-in-Kind rate for electric company cars in 2026?
Benefit-in-Kind on electric company cars rises from 3% to 4%. That remains far below the rates for higher-emission vehicles, which can reach as much as 37%, so an electric company car is still substantially the cheaper choice on tax.
How much is fuel duty rising this autumn?
Fuel duty rose by 1p per litre on 1 September 2026 — the first increase since 2011 — taking the rate to 53.95p. A further 2p follows on 1 December 2026 and another 2p on 1 March 2027, returning duty to 57.95p. With VAT, the full unwind adds roughly 6p a litre at the pump.
How can I make sure I don't miss my MOT or tax renewal?
Set a reminder tied to the official records rather than relying on memory or the post. Fuel Near You offers free MOT and tax reminders that look up your due dates from DVSA and DVLA records using your registration and email you before they expire.