Legislation update – September 2025

 

Consultations which opened in September 2025

 

DVSA – Changes to HGV, bus and trailer MOT centre service charges

Proposals to increase how much MOT centres for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), buses, coaches and trailers can charge customers for using their facilities. Released 25/09/2025 – closes 21/11/2025.

 

Multi Department – Ready for RESP 2025: Regional Energy Strategic Plans – Net Zero Go

 

The National Energy System Operator (NESO), through its Regional Energy Strategic Plan (RESP) consultation, will be producing nine English Regional Energy Strategic Plans and two national plans for Scotland and Wales. The purpose of these plans is to inform strategic co-ordination and accountability within the energy distribution networks, ensuring local areas get the energy system they need to help meet local and national goals, whilst minimising costs to energy bill payers.

 

NESO are seeking feedback on:

 

• Contexts for the nations and regions.
• Pathways and consistent planning assumptions.
• Strategic investment need.

 

Opened 23/09/2025 – closes 29/11/2025.

 

Consultations which closed in September 2025

 

HM Treasury – Automated vehicles: statement of safety principles

Sought views on what safety standards should be required for automated (self-driving) vehicles in the UK. Opened 10/06/2025 – closed 01/09/2025.

 

Multi Department – Automated vehicles: protecting marketing terms

Sought views on protecting the use of certain terms in vehicle marketing so they can only be used for authorised automated (self-driving) vehicles. Opened 10/06/2025 – closed 01/09/2025.

 

DBT – Decarbonising smaller vessels

Call for evidence considering emission reduction measures for vessels with a gross tonnage of less than 400. Opened 25/03/2025 – closed 08/09/2025.

 

Transport Committee – How to build a thriving transport manufacturing sector

The inquiry examined the skills needs and health of the manufacturing sectors for motor vehicles, buses, ships, aeroplanes and trains, and the skills that these sectors need for physical construction as well as for roles associated with research, technology and design, fitting out and the wider supply chain. Opened 22/07/2025 – closed 15/09/2025.

 

MHCLG – ​​Private parking code of practice​ – GOV.UK

We are seeking views on proposals to raise standards across the private parking industry ahead of preparing a new code of practice. Opened 11/07/2025 – closed 26/09/2025.

 

DfI – Draft Transport Strategy to Public Consultation – NI Direct – Citizen Space

The Department for Infrastructure is preparing a new Transport Strategy. The Strategy will set out a new vision and strategic priorities for our transport system through to 2035. The Strategy aims to articulate the role of transport as a social, economic and environmental enabler and will establish a set of transport priorities for the Department to deliver against.

Opened 24/06/2025 – closed 30/09/2025.

 

Announcements, September 2025

 

26/09/2025 – DVSA – Manage testing at your vehicle testing facility

Book, confirm, change or cancel testing events at your authorised testing facility.

 

26/09/2025 – DVSA – Manage your DVSA vehicle testing pre-funded account

Check the balance of your pre-funded account, top it up, and view your invoices.

 

25/09/2025 – DVSA – DVSA want your views: ATF service fees for HGV, commercial vehicles, and trailers

DVSA has started a consultation on changing the maximum service fee that authorised testing facilities (ATFs) can charge you to have your vehicle’s annual test.

 

25/09/2025 – DfT – Reported road casualties Great Britain, annual report: 2024

Statistics on personal injury collisions on public roads in Great Britain for 2024.

 

23/09/2025 – HMRC – Biofuels and fuel substitutes (Excise Notice 179e) from 1 April 2022

The definition and explanation of fuel substitutes has been updated across the notice in line with section 6A of the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act.

 

23/09/2025 – DVSA – Rules for transporting horses in horseboxes and trailers

Updated the guidance to include rules about using a tachograph.

 

22/09/25 – DBT – Trading under WTO rules

Information updated to reflect countries trading under WTO rules and the Windsor Framework which replaced the old Northern Ireland Protocol.

 

22/09/2025 – DfT – Volunteer to be an aviation ambassador

Applications are now open to volunteer as an aviation ambassador. Submit your application by 10 October 2025.

18/09/2025 – OTC – Operator Compliance Audits

A guide for operator’s licence holders on what an acceptable compliance audit should cover.

17/09/2025 – OTC – A Guide to Traffic Commissioner hearings

A guide for operators and the public about regulatory hearings held by traffic commissioners, known as ‘public inquiries’.

12/09/2025 – DBT – Training on export control compliance

Courses, seminars, workshops and webinars to help exporters understand their obligations under export control legislation. The ‘Export control events’ document has been updated with details of the upcoming Export Control and Sanctions Symposium 2025 on 15 October.

11/09/2025 – OTC – New Deputy Traffic Commissioners appointed

The Secretary of State has appointed five new Deputy Traffic Commissioners to support the Traffic Commissioners.

10/09/2025 – DfT – Transporting quick release valve assemblies

Adds information about quick release valve assemblies for fire protection systems to dangerous goods regulations (exception notice 31). This exception notice will be withdrawn on 7 November 2025.

10/09/2025 – DfT – Transporting suppressor valve head assemblies

Adds the construction and transportation of suppressor valve head assemblies for explosion protection systems to regulations (exception notice 30). This exception notice will be withdrawn on 7 November 2025.

10/09/2025 – DFT – Transporting container valves used in fixed firefighting systems

Adds the construction and transport of container valves used for gas extinguishing firefighting systems to regulations (exception notice 29). This exception notice will be withdrawn on 7 November 2025.

10/09/2025 – DVSA – Updates to the information on ‘opting out’ for Driver CPC training

DVSA has updated its guidance on ‘opting out’ for Driver CPC training for qualified drivers.