To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to bring forward legislation to amend section 7A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 so that a specimen of blood taken from a driver incapable of giving consent may be tested without that driver's subsequent consent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to bring forward legislation to amend section 7A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 so that a specimen of blood taken from a driver incapable of giving consent may be tested without that driver's subsequent consent.

This briefing paper answers Frequently Asked Questions about roads and vehicles.

This briefing paper answers Frequently Asked Questions about roads and vehicles.

Letter dated 17/03/2026 from Baroness Blake of Leeds to Lord Pack regarding what road safety data will be monitored after the changes introduced by the Regulations come into force, as discussed during the debate on the Goods Vehicles (Testing, Drivers’ Hours and Tachographs etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2026. 2p.

Letter dated 17/03/2026 from Baroness Blake of Leeds to Lord Pack regarding what road safety data will be monitored after the changes introduced by the Regulations come into force, as discussed during the debate on the Goods Vehicles (Testing, Drivers’ Hours and Tachographs etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2026. 2p.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

My Lords, the provisions of these draft regulations relating to roadworthiness testing are to be made under the powers conferred by Sections 41(1), 41(2), 41(5), 45(1), 45(2), 45(7), 46(7), 47(5), 49(1), 49(2) and 51(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The measures concerning drivers’ hours and tachographs are to be...

My Lords, the provisions of these draft regulations relating to roadworthiness testing are to be made under the powers conferred by Sections 41(1), 41(2), 41(5), 45(1), 45(2), 45(7), 46(7), 47(5), 49(1), 49(2) and 51(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The measures concerning drivers’ hours and tachographs are to be...

This is a welcome statutory instrument, particularly given the importance of growing the zero-emission sector and its potential role for reducing the health and environmental impacts of our transport systems.

As I have on other occasions, and perhaps will again in the future, criticised other SIs for either not reflecting previous...

This is a welcome statutory instrument, particularly given the importance of growing the zero-emission sector and its potential role for reducing the health and environmental impacts of our transport systems.

As I have on other occasions, and perhaps will again in the future, criticised other SIs for either not reflecting previous...

My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Pack, but also quite annoying, because he has made about three-quarters of my speech, and with his customary effectiveness and clarity.

I too start by emphasising the importance, as it seems to us, of the fact that almost through...

My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Pack, but also quite annoying, because he has made about three-quarters of my speech, and with his customary effectiveness and clarity.

I too start by emphasising the importance, as it seems to us, of the fact that almost through...

My Lords, I was just coming to the point of saying that—as the noble Lord, Lord Pack, pointed out—we are now seeing personal safety and road safety being sacrificed on the altar of net zero. It is undoubtedly the case that heavier vehicles have a greater impact when an accident...

My Lords, I was just coming to the point of saying that—as the noble Lord, Lord Pack, pointed out—we are now seeing personal safety and road safety being sacrificed on the altar of net zero. It is undoubtedly the case that heavier vehicles have a greater impact when an accident...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lords, Lord Pack and Lord Moylan, for their comments on this important area of work. Some of the points raised have come together from both noble Lords, if from slightly different angles, so perhaps they will forgive me if I cover them together.

One of...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lords, Lord Pack and Lord Moylan, for their comments on this important area of work. Some of the points raised have come together from both noble Lords, if from slightly different angles, so perhaps they will forgive me if I cover them together.

One of...

My Lords, is the noble Baroness able to answer my specific question? What contacts took place between her Government and the authorities in Northern Ireland, prior to the tabling of this secondary legislation, with a view to ensuring that the legislative gap did not exist—in other words, that they could...

My Lords, is the noble Baroness able to answer my specific question? What contacts took place between her Government and the authorities in Northern Ireland, prior to the tabling of this secondary legislation, with a view to ensuring that the legislative gap did not exist—in other words, that they could...

I think the noble Lord will understand that I cannot be specific at this point about the exact detail. I am happy to write to him to make sure that he is fully apprised of the contact between the two areas.

On the road safety theme that has been picked up,...

I think the noble Lord will understand that I cannot be specific at this point about the exact detail. I am happy to write to him to make sure that he is fully apprised of the contact between the two areas.

On the road safety theme that has been picked up,...

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with the Department of Health and Social Care on promoting regular sight tests for drivers as part of the Government’s road safety strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with the Department of Health and Social Care on promoting regular sight tests for drivers as part of the Government’s road safety strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of increasing the number of vision checks required for drivers aged over 70 on road safety.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of increasing the number of vision checks required for drivers aged over 70 on road safety.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the optical sector on (a) proposals to modernise driver vision testing and (b) any other proposals to strengthen road safety standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the optical sector on (a) proposals to modernise driver vision testing and (b) any other proposals to strengthen road safety standards.

The Department for Transport’s (DfT) Road Safety Strategy was published in January 2026.

The Department for Transport’s (DfT) Road Safety Strategy was published in January 2026.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November, to Question 87899 on Delivery Services: Driving Licences, if she will (a) publish the letter referred to from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Transport, (b) make an assessment of the potential impact of...

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November, to Question 87899 on Delivery Services: Driving Licences, if she will (a) publish the letter referred to from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Transport, (b) make an assessment of the potential impact of...

Letter dated 07/12/2025 from Simon Lightwood MP to the Chief Executives of Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat regarding issues relating to the safety of delivery riders who use electric motorcycles, electric mopeds, e-cycles, and e-scooters, and the safety of other road users. 3p.

Letter dated 07/12/2025 from Simon Lightwood MP to the Chief Executives of Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat regarding issues relating to the safety of delivery riders who use electric motorcycles, electric mopeds, e-cycles, and e-scooters, and the safety of other road users. 3p.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2025 to Question 84701 on Roads: Accidents, whether her Department has requested data from (a) the Home Office and (b) the police on the number of roadside drug-driving tests carried out since 2020.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2025 to Question 84701 on Roads: Accidents, whether her Department has requested data from (a) the Home Office and (b) the police on the number of roadside drug-driving tests carried out since 2020.

Motion that this House has considered connected and automated vehicles. Agreed to on question.

Motion that this House has considered connected and automated vehicles. Agreed to on question.

I beg to move,

That this House has considered connected and automated vehicles.

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Vaz. Yesterday, I jumped in a car with a couple of other people near King’s Cross station. It was a pretty normal journey. We watched the world go by,...

I beg to move,

That this House has considered connected and automated vehicles.

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Vaz. Yesterday, I jumped in a car with a couple of other people near King’s Cross station. It was a pretty normal journey. We watched the world go by,...

I am grateful to the hon. Member for looking into this subject. It is something we all have to learn a lot about. The University of York has the Institute for Safe Autonomy, which is really interested in how the Government will monitor the initial pilots of this scheme, and...

I am grateful to the hon. Member for looking into this subject. It is something we all have to learn a lot about. The University of York has the Institute for Safe Autonomy, which is really interested in how the Government will monitor the initial pilots of this scheme, and...

Definitely. Safety has to be paramount. Britain is a leader in universities and institutes such as the Institute for Safe Autonomy, to ensure that as this new technology rolls out, it is safe and has public confidence.

On accessibility, 30% of my constituents in West Bromwich do not have a car;...

Definitely. Safety has to be paramount. Britain is a leader in universities and institutes such as the Institute for Safe Autonomy, to ensure that as this new technology rolls out, it is safe and has public confidence.

On accessibility, 30% of my constituents in West Bromwich do not have a car;...

The success of automated and autonomous vehicles will depend on infrastructure—not just roads but connectivity, data and mapping systems—but if the infrastructure is upgraded only in big cities, we will have a two-tier system and leave behind towns such as Weston-super-Mare. Does my hon. Friend agree that this should be...

The success of automated and autonomous vehicles will depend on infrastructure—not just roads but connectivity, data and mapping systems—but if the infrastructure is upgraded only in big cities, we will have a two-tier system and leave behind towns such as Weston-super-Mare. Does my hon. Friend agree that this should be...

I absolutely agree that the infrastructure needs to be in place and the benefits of autonomous vehicles need to be felt across the whole country—in coastal areas, but also in urban areas and towns, such as those that I represent.

Car clubs have never reached their full potential in the UK—I...

I absolutely agree that the infrastructure needs to be in place and the benefits of autonomous vehicles need to be felt across the whole country—in coastal areas, but also in urban areas and towns, such as those that I represent.

Car clubs have never reached their full potential in the UK—I...

Even though my hon. Friend’s constituency and mine are very different, the car industry is also critical to the livelihoods of constituents in Hampstead and Highgate. Recently I have had a huge number of emails from local cab drivers who are facing severe delays when it comes to renewing their...

Even though my hon. Friend’s constituency and mine are very different, the car industry is also critical to the livelihoods of constituents in Hampstead and Highgate. Recently I have had a huge number of emails from local cab drivers who are facing severe delays when it comes to renewing their...

Absolutely. I represent many professional drivers myself, so I completely agree about the importance of the current systems working for them, as well as future systems working. I want to be clear about this. Given that full vehicle automation is decades away, I hope that we can provide reassurance that...

Absolutely. I represent many professional drivers myself, so I completely agree about the importance of the current systems working for them, as well as future systems working. I want to be clear about this. Given that full vehicle automation is decades away, I hope that we can provide reassurance that...

Many moons ago, I was listening to a futurologist on the radio, a job that seems to involve mainly sitting on beanbags. He was talking about autonomous vehicles and was asked, “Is there anything that you think people should be thinking about on autonomous vehicles?” He said, “We’ve got to...

Many moons ago, I was listening to a futurologist on the radio, a job that seems to involve mainly sitting on beanbags. He was talking about autonomous vehicles and was asked, “Is there anything that you think people should be thinking about on autonomous vehicles?” He said, “We’ve got to...

It is absolutely about creating a safe system for the future. If AVs are involved in an incident, will they be able to get to hospital? All those questions have to be talked about, as we begin to see fully driverless vehicles on our roads.

One person who has benefited from...

It is absolutely about creating a safe system for the future. If AVs are involved in an incident, will they be able to get to hospital? All those questions have to be talked about, as we begin to see fully driverless vehicles on our roads.

One person who has benefited from...

My hon. Friend is making an excellent speech. Northamptonshire has the skills, location and ambition to play a massive part, with our logistic sector being right next to Milton Keynes, which is already testing these vehicles. Does she agree that we are perfectly placed to be part of the growth...

My hon. Friend is making an excellent speech. Northamptonshire has the skills, location and ambition to play a massive part, with our logistic sector being right next to Milton Keynes, which is already testing these vehicles. Does she agree that we are perfectly placed to be part of the growth...

I agree that exciting pilots are going on. I am sure Kettering and many other parts of the country could benefit. Wayve is an example of a company leading the way in helping the UK to become a global leader in this technology. Although the company was founded out of...

I agree that exciting pilots are going on. I am sure Kettering and many other parts of the country could benefit. Wayve is an example of a company leading the way in helping the UK to become a global leader in this technology. Although the company was founded out of...

As my hon. Friend mentioned JLR, it is important to reflect on the necessity for cyber-resilience. Do she and the Minister agree that we cannot progress with such technologies without a national push towards cyber-resilience?

As my hon. Friend mentioned JLR, it is important to reflect on the necessity for cyber-resilience. Do she and the Minister agree that we cannot progress with such technologies without a national push towards cyber-resilience?

It was very important that the Government intervened after JLR suffered a cyber-attack and went into full shutdown, because many businesses in my area rely on JLR. I agree that cyber-resilience has to be at the heart of this.

I want the west midlands to feel the benefit of manufacturing the...

It was very important that the Government intervened after JLR suffered a cyber-attack and went into full shutdown, because many businesses in my area rely on JLR. I agree that cyber-resilience has to be at the heart of this.

I want the west midlands to feel the benefit of manufacturing the...

It is as always a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. It is nice to see you again and catch up. I thank the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) for leading today’s debate and I congratulate her for doing well. I am not a petrolhead but...

It is as always a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. It is nice to see you again and catch up. I thank the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) for leading today’s debate and I congratulate her for doing well. I am not a petrolhead but...

Now, will that ever happen? Who knows? But we are talking about driverless cars.

I want to refer to Northern Ireland, of course. First, the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 does not apply to Northern Ireland and, furthermore, there is as of yet no comprehensive legislative framework in Northern Ireland for automated...

Now, will that ever happen? Who knows? But we are talking about driverless cars.

I want to refer to Northern Ireland, of course. First, the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 does not apply to Northern Ireland and, furthermore, there is as of yet no comprehensive legislative framework in Northern Ireland for automated...

On the question of trust in automated vehicles, does my hon. Friend agree that one issue that people will be concerned about is the cost of car insurance? When we are consulted and approached by constituents and we write to insurance companies, we usually hear that the number of accidents...

On the question of trust in automated vehicles, does my hon. Friend agree that one issue that people will be concerned about is the cost of car insurance? When we are consulted and approached by constituents and we write to insurance companies, we usually hear that the number of accidents...

My hon. Friend always brings pertinent points to the debate. Insurance in Northern Ireland is more expensive than it is anywhere else in the United Kingdom, so we would love to see those advantages.

The big question that many people have about insurance is who would be liable in the case...

My hon. Friend always brings pertinent points to the debate. Insurance in Northern Ireland is more expensive than it is anywhere else in the United Kingdom, so we would love to see those advantages.

The big question that many people have about insurance is who would be liable in the case...

It is a pleasure to speak under your chairship, Ms Vaz. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) for securing this timely and insightful debate.

The advent of automated passenger services as a new pillar of our transport infrastructure is a huge opportunity to transform the...

It is a pleasure to speak under your chairship, Ms Vaz. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) for securing this timely and insightful debate.

The advent of automated passenger services as a new pillar of our transport infrastructure is a huge opportunity to transform the...

I lost my driving licence because I was having seizures when I was 19 years old. Will my hon. Friend also talk about the fact that this would help people who cannot drive due to seizures?

I lost my driving licence because I was having seizures when I was 19 years old. Will my hon. Friend also talk about the fact that this would help people who cannot drive due to seizures?

I 100% agree with my hon. Friend. My wife was born with full sight, but over the years her degenerative condition has meant that she had to lose her licence. I know that it was almost like ripping her heart out; the independence she lost was huge. Anybody who experiences...

I 100% agree with my hon. Friend. My wife was born with full sight, but over the years her degenerative condition has meant that she had to lose her licence. I know that it was almost like ripping her heart out; the independence she lost was huge. Anybody who experiences...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Vaz. I thank the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) for securing this important debate. To the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon), I say: automated vehicles—

“It’s life, Jim, but not as we know it”.

Connected and automated vehicles offer...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Vaz. I thank the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) for securing this important debate. To the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon), I say: automated vehicles—

“It’s life, Jim, but not as we know it”.

Connected and automated vehicles offer...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. I commend my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) for securing this important debate.

I have no doubt that one day autonomous vehicles will be the norm on our buses, and I am perfectly okay with that,...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. I commend my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) for securing this important debate.

I have no doubt that one day autonomous vehicles will be the norm on our buses, and I am perfectly okay with that,...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. I congratulate the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) not only on securing this debate, but on her positive and optimistic vision of the future, which I really like.

I think many of us have long had a vision...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. I congratulate the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) not only on securing this debate, but on her positive and optimistic vision of the future, which I really like.

I think many of us have long had a vision...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairpersonship, Ms Vaz. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) for securing this debate. In this debate, I want to talk about place and the role of connected autonomous vehicles within it—but before I do, I want...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairpersonship, Ms Vaz. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) for securing this debate. In this debate, I want to talk about place and the role of connected autonomous vehicles within it—but before I do, I want...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. I thank the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) for bringing up this very important topic, which as a species we have been grappling with for a couple of decades, so that we can talk about how to...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. I thank the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) for bringing up this very important topic, which as a species we have been grappling with for a couple of decades, so that we can talk about how to...

It is lovely to appear before you today, Ms Vaz. I join everyone in congratulating the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) on securing this interesting and important debate. She rightly focused on the three main issues, one of which, of course, is safety—a potential enormous benefit of the...

It is lovely to appear before you today, Ms Vaz. I join everyone in congratulating the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) on securing this interesting and important debate. She rightly focused on the three main issues, one of which, of course, is safety—a potential enormous benefit of the...

It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Ms Vaz. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) on raising this important issue. What a fascinating and thought-provoking debate this has been.

Establishing our new regulatory framework for automated vehicles provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity...

It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Ms Vaz. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes) on raising this important issue. What a fascinating and thought-provoking debate this has been.

Establishing our new regulatory framework for automated vehicles provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity...

We have heard about all the different parts of this issue today: sharing the benefits of the future autonomous revolution UK-wide; the importance of public trust and uptake; accessibility and independence; and security and safety. We need the benefits to be shared nationwide—in Strangford, Weston-super-Mare, Kettering and beyond.

The hon. Member...

We have heard about all the different parts of this issue today: sharing the benefits of the future autonomous revolution UK-wide; the importance of public trust and uptake; accessibility and independence; and security and safety. We need the benefits to be shared nationwide—in Strangford, Weston-super-Mare, Kettering and beyond.

The hon. Member...

Lords committee stage second day. Clauses 7 to 37 agreed to. Schedule 1 agreed to. Clauses 38 to 45 agreed to. (Part 1 of 2).

Lords committee stage second day. Clauses 7 to 37 agreed to. Schedule 1 agreed to. Clauses 38 to 45 agreed to. (Part 1 of 2).

Moved by

Baroness Randerson

23: After Clause 6, insert the following new Clause—

“Commencement of sections 5 and 6: review of road infrastructure

(1) Before making regulations commencing sections 5 and 6 of this Act, the Secretary of State must undertake a review to identify how widespread issues with the condition of the roads...

Moved by

Baroness Randerson

23: After Clause 6, insert the following new Clause—

“Commencement of sections 5 and 6: review of road infrastructure

(1) Before making regulations commencing sections 5 and 6 of this Act, the Secretary of State must undertake a review to identify how widespread issues with the condition of the roads...