Major driving licence changes set to be confirmed as thousands of motorists face impact

Motorists have just hours left before the end of a consultation that could see major driving licence changes introduced for thousands of people.

Labour announced that it was proposing to add 24 months to the period during which holders of a Ukrainian driving licence can operate vehicles in Great Britain.

The change would allow Ukrainian licence holders to drive "relevant vehicles", which encompasses cars, motorcycles and mopeds.

Any new rules would extend the existing driving eligibility from 36 months to 60 months for some Ukrainian licence holders.

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This would apply to those who have become residents under the current Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme.

If the terms of the proposals are accepted, they will be able to apply for a 24-month extension to the UPE scheme visa.

Licence holders would be able to drive while their UPE application extension is pending, although this would end if it is withdrawn, rejected or refused.

Separate proposals would give Ukrainian licence holders who were initially granted 54 months of driving eligibility a further 24 months.

These suggestions apply to those who currently have leave under the UPE scheme, allowing them to drive in Great Britain for up to 78 months after becoming a resident.

Figures from the DVLA show that from May 2021 to November 2025, 30,293 Ukrainian driving licences were exchanged for a GB licence.

Separate data from the Home Office shows that 278,529 Ukrainian nationals have arrived in the UK through one of the visa schemes.

Just over 110,000 people have been granted an extension to an existing permission to stay up to September 2025 because of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

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A third proposal included in the consultation would see the Government give a driving entitlement to certain Ukrainian licence holders.

It will apply to those who were originally granted Leave Outside The Rules (LOTR) who then moved onto the UPE scheme without having held a visa under one of the original visa schemes.

These people will be allowed to drive relevant vehicles in Great Britain for up to 78 months from the date they became a resident in GB.

The consultation outlined: "The 78 months would include all the time they have already spent in GB after becoming resident, as the 78‑month entitlement would begin after a person becomes resident.

"These individuals would be permitted to drive while their application for the UPE scheme extension is pending, but permission would end if their application is withdrawn, rejected or refused."

The consultation acknowledges that there could be some road safety considerations, especially around driving on the opposite side of the road and road signage written in English without pictograms.

The consultation, which was first launched on March 26, 2026, will close today (Thursday, April 23) at 11.59pm, giving drivers or motoring organisations who wish to provide feedback just hours to respond.

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