The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend the 1999 Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations to extend driving privileges for Ukrainian nationals in Great Britain holding specific leave types under the Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Extension, and Ukraine Family Schemes.
The amendments specify different durations of driving permissions based on application dates and whether further leave extensions have been sought, ranging from one to four and a half years.
The regulations clarify definitions and provide multiple scenarios addressing different application timelines.
Arguments For
Intended benefits: These regulations aim to provide clarity and extend driving privileges for Ukrainian nationals who have fled the conflict and are residing in the UK under various visa schemes. This will aid their integration and ability to work and live more independently.
Evidence cited: The regulations reference specific sections within the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Immigration Act 1971. They also reference the existing Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999, which are being amended.
Implementation methods: The regulations directly amend existing legislation through insertion and substitution of clauses within the 1999 Regulations. The changes are specific to certain categories of Ukrainian leave holders.
Legal/historical basis: The power for creating these regulations derives from sections 88(5) and (6), and 105(1), (2)(a) and (3) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Arguments Against
Potential impacts: The extended driving privileges might lead to increased traffic congestion or a rise in accidents if drivers lack appropriate experience or familiarity with UK road rules.
Implementation challenges: Ensuring that all relevant authorities are aware of and correctly apply the new regulations could be challenging. There needs to be a system to determine which drivers fall under which criteria.
Alternative approaches: Other approaches to assisting Ukrainian refugees with transportation might be explored such as grants for public transport or increased public transport services.
Unintended effects: There could be administrative burdens placed on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in processing applications and clarifying eligibility criteria under the new regulations.
- Citation, commencement and extent (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2025. (2) These Regulations come into force on 3rd March 2025. (3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales and Scotland.
This section establishes the title of the regulations, their effective start date, and their geographical applicability within the UK. The regulations will be known as the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 and take effect on March 3rd, 2025, covering England, Wales, and Scotland.
- Amendment of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 are amended as follows.
This section announces that amendments will be made to the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999.
The following sections detail the specific alterations to those regulations.
- Insertion of new regulation 80ZA (interpretation: regulations 80ZA to 80AF) After regulation 80, insert— “Interpretation (regulations 80ZA to 80AF) 80ZA. In regulations 80ZA to 80AF— “Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme leave” means leave under paragraph UKR 19.1 of the Ukraine Scheme; “Immigration Rules” means rules made under section 3(2) of the Immigration Act 1971; “Ukraine Extension Scheme leave” means leave under paragraph UKR 27.1 of the Ukraine Scheme as it had effect on the day such leave was granted; “Ukraine Family Scheme leave” means leave under paragraph UKR 9.1 of the Ukraine Scheme as it had effect on the day such leave was granted; “Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave” means leave under paragraph UKR 29.1 of the Ukraine Scheme; “Ukraine Scheme” means the scheme set out in Appendix Ukraine Scheme of the Immigration Rules.”
This section adds new definitions to clarify the terminology used in subsequent amendments.
These definitions specify what constitutes various types of leave under the UK's Ukraine-related immigration schemes.
- Amendment to regulation 80A (Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: first scenario) (1) Regulation 80A (modification of regulation 80: Appendix Ukraine Scheme) is amended as follows. (2) In the heading, for “Appendix Ukraine Scheme” substitute “Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: first scenario”. (3) In paragraph (1)— (a) for sub-paragraph (a) substitute “has Homes For Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme leave”; (b) after sub-paragraph (a) insert—“(aa) has not applied for Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave, and”. (4) In paragraph (2), for “the period of three years after that person becomes resident” substitute “the period of three years beginning with the day after the day on which that person becomes resident in Great Britain”.
This section amends regulation 80A, which deals with driving privileges for individuals under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
The changes specify the conditions under which these individuals can drive in Great Britain for a period of three years after becoming residents.
It clarifies the wording and conditions for eligibility.
- Insertion of new regulation 80AA (Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: second scenario) After regulation 80A insert— “Modification of regulation 80: Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: second scenario 80AA. (1) This regulation applies in respect of a person who— (a) has or had Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme leave, (b) applied for that leave before 3:00 p.m. on 19th February 2024, (c) applied for Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave on or before the day on which their Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme leave expired, and (d) 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 four 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 a Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave is withdrawn, rejected or refused.”
This section adds a new regulation (80AA) outlining a second scenario for Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme leave holders.
This scenario provides for a longer driving period (up to four years and six months) but contingent on an application for a Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave within a specified timeframe.
- Insertion of new regulation 80AB (Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: third scenario) After regulation 80AA insert— “Modification of regulation 80: Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: third scenario 80AB. (1) This regulation applies in respect of a person who— (a) has or had Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme leave, (b) applied for that leave at or after 3:00 p.m. on 19th February 2024, and (c) 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 period of three years beginning with the day after the day on which that person becomes resident in Great Britain.”
This section inserts another new regulation (80AB) detailing a third scenario for Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme leave holders.
This scenario sets a three-year driving period based on the application date for the sponsorship scheme.
- Insertion of new regulation 80AC (Ukraine Extension Scheme: first scenario) After regulation 80AB insert— “Modification of regulation 80: Ukraine Extension Scheme: first scenario 80AC. (1) This regulation applies in respect of a person who— (a) has Ukraine Extension Scheme leave, (b) applied for that leave on or before 16th May 2024, (c) has not applied for a Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave, and (d) 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 period of three years beginning with the day after the day on which that person becomes resident in Great Britain.”
A new regulation (80AC) is added to address driving privileges for those under the Ukraine Extension Scheme.
This section provides conditions for a three-year driving permission based on application date and the absence of further leave applications.
- Insertion of new regulation 80AD (Ukraine Extension Scheme: second scenario) After regulation 80AC insert— “Modification of regulation 80: Ukraine Extension Scheme: second scenario 80AD. (1) This regulation applies in respect of a person who— (a) has or 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) applied for Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave on or before the day on which their Ukraine Extension Scheme leave 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 four 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 a Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave is withdrawn, rejected or refused.”
This section inserts regulation 80AD, setting out conditions for a second scenario for Ukraine Extension Scheme leave holders, which allows for an extended driving period (up to four and a half years) based on residency date and a further leave application.
- Insertion of new regulation 80AE (Ukraine Family Scheme: first scenario) After regulation 80AD insert— “Modification of regulation 80: Ukraine Family Scheme: first scenario 80AE. (1) This regulation applies in respect of a person who— (a) has Ukraine Family Scheme leave, (b) has not applied for Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave, and (c) 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 period of three years beginning with the day after the day on which that person becomes resident in Great Britain.”
Regulation 80AE is added to address driving privileges for those under the Ukraine Family Scheme.
Conditions are specified for a three-year driving permission dependent on not having made further leave applications.
- Insertion of new regulation 80AF (Ukraine Family Scheme: second scenario) After regulation 80AE insert— “Modification of regulation 80: Ukraine Family Scheme: second scenario 80AF. (1) This regulation applies in respect of a person who— (a) has or had Ukraine Family Scheme leave, (b) applied for Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave on or before the day on which their Ukraine Family Scheme leave expired, and (c) 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 four 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 a Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave is withdrawn, rejected or refused.” Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport Lilian Greenwood Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at 12.32 p.m. on 10th February 2025 Department for Transport
This section adds regulation 80AF, outlining a second scenario for individuals under the Ukraine Family Scheme.
An extended driving period (up to four and a half years) is possible based on conditions related to further leave applications and the expiry of initial leave.
Explanatory Note (This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations amend the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/2864) (“1999 Regulations”). Regulation 3 amends the 1999 Regulations to insert the relevant definitions in relation to these amendments. Regulation 4 amends regulation 80A of the 1999 Regulations to permit a holder of a permit to drive a motor bicycle, moped and category B (car) under the law of Ukraine (“a relevant Ukrainian driving licence”) who has Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme leave but who has not applied for Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave to drive in Great Britain for three years after they become resident in Great Britain. Regulations 5 and 6 insert two new regulations 80AA and 80AB to provide for two alternative scenarios in which holders of a relevant Ukrainian driving licence who have or had Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme leave are permitted to drive in Great Britain for four years and six months or three years after they become resident in Great Britain, depending on which scenario they fall into. Regulations 7 and 8 provide for an arrangement similar to that in regulations 4 to 6 for holders of a relevant Ukrainian driving licence who applied for Ukraine Extension Scheme leave. However, for those holders of Ukraine Extension Scheme leave who applied for a Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave, only those who had become resident in Great Britain on or after 3rd March 2022 will fall within the scope of the permission to drive in Great Britain under these two regulations. Regulations 9 and 10 provide for a similar arrangement for holders of a relevant Ukrainian driving licence who applied for Ukraine Family Scheme leave. The Appendix Ukraine Scheme was inserted into the Immigration Rules by the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules laid before Parliament on 29 March 2022 (HC 1220, 29 March 2022) and has been subsequently amended. A full Impact Assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it is not expected to have significant impact on the private, public or voluntary sectors. Instead a de minimis assessment has been prepared as this instrument is likely to entail some costs for businesses, but the net impact is estimated to be below £10 million per year. The de minimis assessment is published alongside the Explanatory Memorandum to these Regulations at www.legislation.gov.uk.
The explanatory note summarizes the regulations' purpose and key changes, clarifying the amendments made to the 1999 regulations and the implications for different groups of Ukrainian nationals.
It also notes that a full impact assessment was not deemed necessary due to the anticipated low financial impact.