Draft bill Traffic 10 July 2026 2 min read

Draft bill proposes digital delivery of traffic fines

A draft bill would allow penalty charge notices to be served by email or app notification, removing the requirement to affix a physical notice to a vehicle.

The Traffic Management (Digital Notices) Bill, introduced in draft form in August 2026, would amend the Road Traffic Act 1991 to allow local authorities to serve penalty charge notices electronically. Recipients would need to have registered a vehicle contact preference with the DVLA. The change is expected to speed up payment processing and reduce disputes about whether a notice was properly affixed.

Area Traffic

Type Draft bill

Published 10 July 2026

Status Passed — not yet in force

What this means in practice

This draft bill affects Traffic matters in England & Wales. It has been approved but a commencement date has not yet been set — nothing changes for you until the law is formally brought into force by statutory instrument.

Read the official text

legislation.gov.uk Parliament.uk — Bills BAILII — Judgments GOV.UK UK Supreme Court EUR-Lex

Primary source

Road Traffic Act 1991 — legislation.gov.uk

This item summarises a legal development for general information only. It is not legal advice. Always check the official text and, for your own situation, consult a qualified lawyer.

FAQ

Questions about this item

About what it means, whether it applies to you, and where to find the official text.

Does this change affect me right now?

It depends on the type of change and your situation. Items marked "In force" apply now. Items marked "passed but not yet in force" have been approved by Parliament but a commencement order has not yet set the start date — they cannot be enforced until that date. Check the official commencement information on legislation.gov.uk. If you are unsure how a change affects your situation, Citizens Advice offers free guidance.

Where can I read the full official text?

Every news item links to its primary source. All UK Acts of Parliament and statutory instruments are on legislation.gov.uk. Bills still going through Parliament are tracked on Parliament.uk. Court judgments are published on BAILII. If the change relates to official government guidance, that is published on GOV.UK.

Can I rely on this news item for a legal decision?

No — news items are summaries for general awareness, not legal advice. They do not take your specific circumstances into account. For decisions that carry legal or financial consequences, consult a qualified solicitor. The Law Society's Find a Solicitor tool lets you search by area of law and location. For lower-stakes questions, Citizens Advice covers most everyday situations for free.

How quickly does LawTheGuide update when a law changes?

We aim to cover significant changes — new Acts, major court rulings, statutory instruments — within a few days of publication. Our primary sources are legislation.gov.uk, Parliament.uk, BAILII, and GOV.UK. Guides are updated only when a change is confirmed in force — not when it is merely passed.

What is the difference between a law being "passed" and "in force"?

A law is "passed" when it receives Royal Assent — Parliament has approved it and it is technically an Act. It is "in force" when a commencement order sets the date it actually takes effect. Some Acts sit passed but dormant for months or years. Until it is in force, no one can rely on it or be bound by it. Commencement orders (statutory instruments) on legislation.gov.uk record the exact effective dates.