The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
These Regulations amend the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 to extend the period during which holders of Ukrainian driving licences for cars, motorcycles, and mopeds may legally drive in Great Britain.
The amendments apply to individuals who hold or have held specific types of leave under the Ukraine Scheme, including the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, Ukraine Family Scheme, and Ukraine Extension Scheme.
Depending on the specific visa held and the timing of the application, eligible persons are authorized to drive for either five years or six years and six months from the date they became resident in Great Britain, provided they have applied for an extension of their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave.
Arguments For
The order states that these amendments provide alternative scenarios for holders of relevant Ukrainian driving licences to continue driving in Great Britain after becoming resident.
Proponents may argue that the extension of driving rights to five years or six years and six months aligns with the duration of leave granted under various Ukraine-related immigration schemes.
The document implies that the measure facilitates the mobility of Ukrainian residents who have applied for extensions to their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave.
The Secretary of State affirms that representative organisations were consulted in accordance with the Road Traffic Act 1988 before making these regulations.
Arguments Against
Legal scholars might note that the regulations create complex eligibility tiers based on specific dates and times of visa applications (e.g., 3:00pm on 19th February 2024), which could lead to administrative confusion.
Administrative bodies might face challenges in verifying whether a person has applied for an extension to their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave before the initial period expired to determine driving eligibility.
Critics might observe that the driving rights are contingent on the status of immigration applications, meaning driving privileges could cease abruptly if an application is withdrawn, rejected, or refused.
Some parties may question the lack of a full Impact Assessment, though the document states the net impact is estimated to be below £10 million per year.
- -(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026.
- (2) These Regulations come into force on 27th July 2026.
- (3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales and Scotland.
This section establishes the official title of the regulations and sets the commencement date for the new rules as 27th July 2026.
It specifies the geographic jurisdiction of the regulations as England, Wales, and Scotland.
- The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 are amended in accordance with regulations 3 to 11.
This provision clarifies that the following sections of this document serve to modify the existing Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999.
It acts as the formal link between the new amendments and the original 1999 statutory instrument.
- In regulation 80ZA-
- (a) in the heading, for '80AF' substitute '80AH';
- (b) in the opening words, for '80AF' substitute '80AH';
- (c) after the definition of 'Immigration Rules', insert- ''paragraph UKR 29.3(b) or (c) leave' means leave to remain of the type described in paragraph UKR 29.3(b) or (c) of the Ukraine Scheme;';
- (d) in the definition of 'Ukraine Extension Scheme leave', omit the words from 'as' to the end;
- (e) in the definition of 'Ukraine Family Scheme leave', omit the words from 'as' to the end;
- (f) after the definition of 'Ukraine Family Scheme leave', insert- ''Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme initial period' means the period of time for which a person is initially granted Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave, and accordingly does not include any period of time in respect of which that person has been granted an extension to their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave;'.
This section updates the interpretation and definitions section of the 1999 Regulations to include new terms related to the Ukraine Scheme.
It defines the 'initial period' for extension schemes and specific paragraphs of leave to remain under the immigration rules.
These definitions establish the legal boundaries for who qualifies for the driving permit extensions.
- In regulation 80A(1), after sub-paragraph (a), insert- '(aza) applied for that leave before 3:00pm on 19th February 2024,'.
This amendment adds a specific temporal requirement for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
It limits the application of existing driving licence modifications to those who applied for their leave before a specific time and date in February 2024.
- In regulation 80AA(1)-
- (a) omit the 'and' at the end of sub-paragraph (c);
- (b) after sub-paragraph (c), insert- '(ca) where the application for Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave was granted, has not applied for an extension to that leave, and'.
This section modifies the criteria for the 'second scenario' of the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
It clarifies that the specific modifications in regulation 80AA only apply if the individual has not yet applied for an extension to their Permission Extension Scheme leave.
- In regulation 80AB(1)-
- (a) omit the 'and' at the end of sub-paragraph (b);
- (b) after sub-paragraph (b), insert- '(ba) in respect of Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave-
- (i) has not applied for that leave, or
- (ii) has been granted that leave, but has not applied for an extension to that leave, and'.
This section amends the 'third scenario' for Ukrainian licence holders to restrict its scope.
It ensures that the regulation only applies to those who either haven't applied for extension leave or have been granted it but haven't yet sought a further extension.
- After regulation 80AB, insert-
' Modification of regulation 80: Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: fourth scenario
80ABA. -(1) This regulation applies in respect of a person who-
(a) had Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme leave,
(b) applied for that leave before 3:00pm on 19th February 2024,
(c) has Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave,
(d) applied for that leave on or before the day on which their Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme leave expired,
(e) applied for an extension to their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave on or before the day on which their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme initial period expired, and
(f) is the holder of a relevant permit within the meaning given by regulation 80(6) which was issued under the law of Ukraine.
(2) Where this regulation applies, regulation 80(1) has effect as if the reference to the period of one year after a person becomes resident in Great Britain were to the shorter of the following-
- (a) the period of six years and six months beginning with the day after the day on which that person becomes resident in Great Britain;
- (b) the period beginning with the day after the day on which that person becomes resident in Great Britain, and ending with the day after the day on which that person's application for an extension to their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave is withdrawn, rejected or refused.
Modification of regulation 80: Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: fifth scenario
80ABB. -(1) This regulation applies in respect of a person who-
- (a) had Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme leave,
- (b) applied for that leave at or after 3:00pm on 19th February 2024,
- (c) has Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave,
- (d) applied for that leave on or before the day on which their Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme leave expired,
- (e) applied for an extension to their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave on or before the day on which their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme initial period expired, and
- (f) is the holder of a relevant permit within the meaning given by regulation 80(6) which was issued under the law of Ukraine.
(2) Where this regulation applies, regulation 80(1) has effect as if the reference to the period of one year after a person becomes resident in Great Britain were to the shorter of the following-
- (a) the period of five years beginning with the day after the day on which that person becomes resident in Great Britain;
- (b) the period beginning with the day after the day on which that person becomes resident in Great Britain, and ending with the day after the day on which that person's application for an extension to their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave is withdrawn, rejected or refused.'
This segment introduces two new scenarios for driving rights.
The fourth scenario allows those who applied for their original leave before February 19, 2024, to drive for up to six years and six months, while the fifth scenario limits those who applied after that time to a five-year period.
In both cases, the right terminates if their visa extension application is withdrawn or refused.
- In regulation 80AD(1)-
- (a) omit the 'and' at the end of sub-paragraph (d);
- (b) after sub-paragraph (d), insert-
- '(da) where the application for Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave was granted, has not applied for an extension to that leave, and'.
This amendment adds a condition to the second scenario of the Ukraine Extension Scheme.
It stipulates that the regulation applies only if the person has not yet applied for an extension of their Permission Extension Scheme leave.
- After regulation 80AD, insert-
' Modification of regulation 80: Ukraine Extension Scheme: third scenario
80ADA. -(1) This regulation applies in respect of a person who-
- (a) had Ukraine Extension Scheme leave,
- (b) applied for that leave on or before 16th May 2024,
- (c) became resident in Great Britain on or after 3rd March 2022,
- (d) has Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave,
- (e) applied for that leave on or before the day on which their Ukraine Extension Scheme leave expired,
- (f) applied for an extension to their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave on or before the day on which their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme initial period expired, and
- (g) is the holder of a relevant permit within the meaning given by regulation 80(6) which was issued under the law of Ukraine.
(2) Where this regulation applies, regulation 80(1) has effect as if the reference to the period of one year after a person becomes resident in Great Britain were to the shorter of the following-
- (a) the period of six years and six months beginning with the day after the day on which that person becomes resident in Great Britain;
- (b) the period beginning with the day after the day on which that person becomes resident in Great Britain, and ending with the day after the day on which that person's application for an extension to their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave is withdrawn, rejected or refused.'
This section creates a third scenario for the Ukraine Extension Scheme.
It permits qualifying individuals to drive for up to six years and six months from the start of their residency, provided their visa extension application remains pending or successful.
- In regulation 80AF(1)-
- (a) omit the 'and' at the end of sub-paragraph (b);
- (b) after sub-paragraph (b), insert-
- '(ba) where the application for Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave was granted, has not applied for an extension to that leave, and'.
This amendment modifies the Ukraine Family Scheme rules.
It limits the current driving modifications to those who have participated in the Permission Extension Scheme but have not yet applied for a subsequent extension of that leave.
- After regulation 80AF, insert-
' Modification of regulation 80: Ukraine Family Scheme: third scenario
80AG. -(1) This regulation applies in respect of a person who-
- (a) had Ukraine Family Scheme leave,
- (b) has Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave,
- (c) applied for that leave on or before the day on which their Ukraine Family Scheme leave expired,
- (d) applied for an extension to their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave on or before the day on which their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme initial period expired, and
- (e) is the holder of a relevant permit within the meaning given by regulation 80(6) which was issued under the law of Ukraine.
(2) Where this regulation applies, regulation 80(1) has effect as if the reference to the period of one year after a person becomes resident in Great Britain were to the shorter of the following-
- (a) the period of six years and six months beginning with the day after the day on which that person becomes resident in Great Britain;
- (b) the period beginning with the day after the day on which that person becomes resident in Great Britain, and ending with the day after the day on which that person's application for an extension to their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave is withdrawn, rejected or refused.
Modification of regulation 80: paragraph UKR 29.3(b) or (c) leave
80AH. -(1) This regulation applies in respect of a person who-
- (a) has never had Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme leave, Ukraine Extension Scheme leave or Ukraine Family Scheme leave,
- (b) had paragraph UKR 29.3(b) or (c) leave,
- (c) has Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave,
- (d) applied for that leave on or before the day on which their paragraph UKR 29.3(b) or (c) leave expired,
- (e) applied for an extension to their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave on or before the day on which their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme initial period expired, and
- (f) is the holder of a relevant permit within the meaning given by regulation 80(6) which was issued under the law of Ukraine.
(2) Where this regulation applies, regulation 80(1) has effect as if the reference to the period of one year after a person becomes resident in Great Britain were to the shorter of the following-
- (a) the period of six years and six months beginning with the day after the day on which that person becomes resident in Great Britain;
- (b) the period beginning with the day after the day on which that person becomes resident in Great Britain, and ending with the day after the day on which that person's application for an extension to their Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave is withdrawn, rejected or refused.'
This final amendment introduces two additional categories of driving rights.
Regulation 80AG covers the third scenario for the Ukraine Family Scheme, while 80AH covers individuals with specific leave under paragraph UKR 29.3 of the Ukraine Scheme; both groups are granted a six-year and six-month driving period from residency, subject to their visa status.
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