Member News – 18 February 2026

February 18, 2026

6 min read

18 February 2026

Your weekly member email from Logistics UK sharing the latest updates addressing industry-relevant developments, legislation and compliance updates and campaigns to help you stay informed.

In this issue:

Logistics UK’s Road Council meets the Senior Traffic Commissioner.
New V149 and V149/1.
DVSA open survey into attitudes towards Driver CPC qualification.
Logistics UK’s Low Carbon Fuel Working Group upcoming meeting.
Logistics UK’s Utilities Services Working Group next meeting.
Home Office: Important information for hauliers using eVisa and UKVI accounts.
New MAC briefing notes on vehicle regulations and changes to the HGV inspection manual.
A40 Westway full closure from March 2026.

Logistics UK’s Road Council meets the Senior Traffic Commissioner

Logistics UK’s Road Council hosted Kevin Rooney on Thursday 12 February for his first visit as Senior Traffic Commissioner since taking on the role in 2025. Members were able to have an open discussion with him on a range of subjects including possible changes to the rules governing operator licencing, GB domestic hours recording and the role of the Transport Manager. Many of the policy subjects covered are already under discussion at Logistics UK’s Member Meetings and Working Groups, including the recently launched Future of Road Regulation Working Group (for more details please contact Maddi Solloway-Price).

Road Council also discussed the association’s formal position on the HGV mandate consultation; held a positive discussion on the status of mental health support within the sector and the increasing support that is available to employees through a variety of initiatives.

New V149 and V149/1

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has shared the latest V149 and V149/1, with the updated vehicle tax rates for cars, motorcycles, and light and heavy goods vehicles. These rates will take effect from 1 April 2026.

Find details here: V149 and V149/1.

DVSA open survey into attitudes towards Driver CPC qualification

The DVSA has opened a survey, targeted at vocational drivers, operators, and Driver CPC training bodies, to gather views on the qualification.

The survey covers the overall experience of taking, arranging, and delivering ongoing Driver CPC training and the results will give DVSA an insight on what changes could be needed, and where DVSA could improve the overall policy landscape for vocational driver training.

Members are recommended to submit their responses to this survey at the following link. The survey closes at midnight on 2 March 2026.

Logistics UK’s Low Carbon Fuel Working Group upcoming meeting

Logistics UK is holding its next Low Carbon Fuel Working Group meeting online on Tuesday 24 February, 10:00-11:30.

Members will discuss industry position lines on how Low Carbon Fuels (LCF) can help decarbonise the sector and future campaign work.

The meeting takes place ahead of a roundtable with the Department for Transport in March, to discuss support for LCF as part of future HGV CO2 regulations to be taken forward, members who wish to share their thoughts are encouraged to attend.

The LCF Working Group is open to all Logistics UK members. To attend, please contact the group secretary, Katie Adams.

Logistics UK’s Utilities Services Working Group next meeting

Logistics UK’s Utilities Services Working Group takes place on Tuesday 10 March, at Westone Manor Hotel. The group will discuss various issues affecting the utilities and essential services sectors, regarding legislative developments and changes that have now come into force or are expected to shortly.

As part of the agenda, there will be presentations and discussions from members of the group, as well as speakers from the National Cyber Security Centre on cyber security and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency on earned recognition and how it can assist organisations demonstrate their compliance.

The Utilities Services Working Group is open to any member of Logistics UK who operates in the utilities sector and essential services sector. If anyone is interested in participating in the group, please contact the Group Secretary Dan Crutchington.

Home Office: Important information for hauliers using eVisa and UKVI accounts

The UK is moving to a fully digital immigration system. Physical documents such as visitor‑visa vignette stickers are being replaced with eVisas. This change aims to strengthen security, reduce dependency on paper documents and enable carriers across all modes to complete automated checks against Home Office records.

From 25 February 2026, carriers will check permission to travel digitally. Drivers with a UK Visitor Visa should create a UKVI account now to access their eVisa. This ensures their visa can be confirmed automatically at ports and at the UK border.

If a driver has received a new passport or ID document since their visa was issued, they must ensure it is linked to their eVisa. They can do this by creating a UKVI account, or by updating their existing UKVI account. This enables carriers (Eurotunnel or ferry operators) and UK Border Force to confirm valid permission to travel, reducing the risk of delays. When the correct travel document is linked to the eVisa, automated checks run before departure, supporting a faster journey. If passport details are not linked, carriers may need to carry out manual checks, which can cause inconvenience, delays, or refusal of boarding. Drivers may still use a valid visitor‑visa vignette in their passport as evidence of permission. If their passport has changed since the visa was issued, they must travel with both the current passport and the passport containing the vignette. Although carriers will normally confirm permission automatically, drivers who prefer to can also generate a share code from their UKVI account using the View and Prove service. A share code is valid for 90 days and may be reused.

New MAC briefing notes on vehicle regulations and changes to the HGV inspection manual

Two briefing notes have recently been published:

Update to alternatively fuelled and zero emission 4.25t vehicle regulations – clarifies the current rules for operating these vehicles.
Changes to the heavy goods vehicle (HGV) inspection manual – provides detail on MOT inspection manual changes due to be implemented on 1 April this year.

They can be downloaded from the website or by contacting the Member Advice Centre.

A40 Westway full closure from March 2026

Transport for London (TfL) has informed Logistics UK that it will need to fully close the A40 Westway between Westway roundabout and the Marylebone flyover from 22:00 on Friday 20 March until late-April 2026. This is to allow safety-critical renewal work on the flyover structure.

This phase of work involves replacing two joints on the Marylebone Flyover A40 Westway which allow the flyover to safely expand and contract with temperature changes and vehicle movements. This is complex and specialist work which requires a full carriageway closure. The nature of the work and the structure mean the carriageway cannot be reopened until the work is completed.

The planned diversion routes are as follows:

Use the A312 Parkway or A406 North Circular Road to connect to the A4 and M4, or to use the M4 or M1 to/from the M25.
For local diversions, the route will be via A3220 West Cross Route, Holland Road, Cromwell Road, Hyde Park Corner, Park Lane and Edgware Road, and the same route in the opposite direction.