Major driving law change for all Brits could see you LOSE your licence from this autumn in huge shake-up
Drivers have been told that breaking a rule which was once treated as a slap on the wrist could now have far more serious repercussions.
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This comes after ministers have started preparing a new-safety package for this autumn.
Among the proposals is a harsher punishment for breaking the seatbelt rule.
Motorists could soon face points on their licence, rather than a fine, for failing to abide by this rule.
While nothing is law yet, officials have flagged tougher penalties as a priority, reports experts at Showplates World.
If this is approved after a consultations, points could follow in a matter of months.
The current punishment for failing to wear a seatbelt is typically a £100 penalty.
But, as it stands, the penalty is non-endorsable - meaning you won't be issued points on your licence.
This is what ministers hope to change in the new autumn package, in a new bid to crack down on the issue.
The UK would be following in Northern Ireland 's footsteps, where a seatbelt offence can bring both a fine and 3 penalty points.
Early signals suggest the tougher penalty would apply to drivers and adult passengers, bringing the UK closer to Northern Ireland 's approach.
Major New Driving Laws for Summer & Fall 2025: What You Need to Know
The plan sits alongside other safety measures officials hope to tighten.
Motorists can also expect officials to crack down on drink and drug driving, and fitness-to-drive checks.
Timings will depend on the consultation and parliamentary process, however the direction of travel is very clear.
Motoring experts at Showplates World are encouraging drivers to make changes to their driving habits now.
A spokesperson said: "If you skip your seatbelt, you're gambling with your safety and, very soon, your licence.
"Points for no-belt offences are on the table.
"Our advice is simple: belt up on every journey, every seat, every time - and make sure your passengers do too."
Experts are also encouraging that you make buckling up an automatic habit.
Additional advice includes sorting appropriate child seats, and planning for tech enforcement, as more forces use cameras to spot unbelted occupants.
Under the proposed change, all adults, aged 14 and over, will be deemed responsible for wearing their own seatbelt, and can expect to face points for not abiding by the rule.
For those under 14, the driver is legally responsible for correct restraints.
There are a handful of narrow exemptions to the rule, which include reversing, certain emergency service duties, and medical exemptions with proper certification.
These exemptions do not extend to convenience or comfort, and motorists should assume a belt must be worn unless they clearly fall into a listed exemption.
The Sun reported earlier this month that UK motorists could face four major changes to driving in a major shakeup.
According to The Times, these proposed changes reflect stricter measures to improve road safety and introduce tougher penalties for rule violations, which will include a reduction of the drink-drive limit and older drivers being required to take mandatory eye tests.
These amendments, set to be introduced to help tackle persistent safety issues on UK roads and reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries, have been put forward by UK Government ministers and led by the Department for Transport (DfT).
They represent the biggest reform to driving laws since the Road Safety Act of 2006 - a major piece of legislation which aimed to improve road safety in the UK.
In addition to tougher penalties for failing to wear a seatbelt, the drink-drive limit could also be lowered, and measures may be introduced to ensure drivers over 70 are fit to drive.
Tougher penalties may also be introduced for uninsured drivers.
What was the 2006 Road Safety Act?
The Road Safety Act 2006 introduced a number of significant measures to improve UK road safety.
These included new offences such as causing death by careless driving or while uninsured, increased penalties for drink-driving and speeding, provisions for penalising foreign drivers and stricter rules for vehicle registration and private hire vehicles.
It also enhanced driver training and testing standards. As part of the "Tomorrow's Roads – safer for everyone" strategy, the Act aimed to reduce road deaths and injuries, marking one of the most important reforms in road safety laws at the time.
Notably, it also targeted mobile phone use while driving, introducing tougher penalties for using hand-held devices behind the wheel.
Drivers caught could face fines, licence endorsements and even disqualification for repeated offences.
This was part of broader efforts to reduce distractions and improve road safety, alongside measures addressing drink-driving, speeding and other dangerous behaviours.
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