Drivers from Ukraine who have sought refuge in the UK have been awarded huge DVLA benefits allowing them to travel on roads for free as they adjust to the move.
New benefits have been announced by the Department for Transport, which will allow certain Ukrainians on visa schemes to be exempt from paying Vehicle Excise Duty for a further 18 months and continue using their licence.
The changes aim to reduce financial pressure on Ukrainians and help avoid "unnecessary costs" and complications while staying in the UK.
As part of the extension, Ukrainians will also be allowed to continue using their licence on UK roads with mopeds, motorcycles and cars for up to 4.5 years from their first arrival in the UK.
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Drivers will be allowed to continue travelling on UK roads for a further 18-months
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The move was announced by Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood who said: "The Government stands firmly with the people of Ukraine, and it’s important those in the UK who’ve fled Putin’s illegal invasion are able to get about with ease for work or education.
"This may seem like a small thing, but I’m pleased our country is taking action to help make day-to-day life that little bit easier for those who have endured unimaginable hardship for three years now."
These exemptions align with the launch of the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme, which enables certain Ukrainians to stay in the UK for a further 18 months from the end of their current permission.
These measures will help avoid obstacles that may make it harder for Ukrainians to return home after the war to support reconstruction efforts.
According to data, 208,900 Ukrainian nationals have taken advantage of the visa schemes with 33,000 granted an extension to an existing permission allowing them to stay in the UK.
From April 1, millions of drivers will see their VED contributions rapidly increase with many paying as much as double under the changes introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Under the measures electric vehicles will also be subject to car tax payment for the first time, with drivers charged the lowest rate of £10 for the first year followed by annual payments of £190.
Electric car drivers will also have to pay the "luxury car tax" which is charged to vehicles exceeding £40,000 with drivers forced to pay an extra £425 annually for five years, starting from the vehicle's first birthday when the standard VED payment begins.
The driving licence agreement between the UK and Ukraine was approved on July 7, 2023, and saw Ukrainian nationals on one of the visa schemes given the ability to drive for up to three years after becoming a resident. This applies to licences of cars up to 3,500kg and motorcycles.
The UK has also supported Ukraine with Transport for London's scheme to send scrapped cars from the Ulez scheme to the war-torn country to help with humanitarian aid.
The move introduced by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, offered drivers up to £2,000 in exchange for sending their non-compliant vehicle to Ukraine and up to £1,000 for motorbikes.
For wheelchair accessible vehicles the scheme offered up to £10,000 to scrap or £6,000 to retrofit to the Ulez standards.
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Ukrainians will be given a further 18-months worth of car tax exemptions
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Khan, said at the time: "As the devastating consequences of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine continue, the country’s infrastructure has been significantly impacted.
"I have worked quickly to amend our scrappage scheme so that from next week, non-compliant vehicles can be donated to Ukraine, helping to meet medical and humanitarian needs while also removing old, polluting vehicles from London’s roads."
