EV Charge Point Operators Street Works Permits

UK New Legislation

Published March 13th, 2026

Detected March 13th, 2026

Summary

The UK Secretary of State for Transport has enacted regulations bringing Section 49 of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 into force. This change grants Electric Vehicle Charge Point Operators the legal right to carry out street works using a permit-based system, replacing the previous section 50 licensing regime.

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What changed

These Regulations, specifically the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2026, bring Section 49 of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 into force on March 13, 2026. This legislative change fundamentally alters the process for Electric Vehicle Charge Point Operators (EVCP Os) by allowing them to conduct street works under a permit-based system instead of the prior section 50 licensing regime under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.

EV charge point operators will now be able to apply for permits to undertake street works, which is expected to streamline the installation process for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Regulated entities, primarily EVCP Os and potentially local highway authorities managing the permit system, should familiarize themselves with the new permit requirements and procedures. While no specific compliance deadline is mentioned beyond the effective date, operators should be prepared to adopt the new permit system for any future street works.

What to do next

Review Section 49 of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and associated guidance on the new permit-based system for street works.
Update internal procedures for applying for and conducting street works related to EV charge point installation.
Ensure relevant personnel are trained on the new permit system and its requirements.

Source document (simplified)

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.

Statutory Instruments

2026 No. 292 (C. 23)

HIGHWAYS, ENGLAND

The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2026

Made

12th March 2026

Coming into force

13th March 2026

The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 118(1)(z5) of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025(1).

Citation

These Regulations may be cited as the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2026 and shall come into force on the day after the day on which these Regulations are made.

Provision coming into force the day after the day on which these Regulations are made

Section 49 (installation of electric vehicle charge points) of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 comes into force on the day after the day on which these Regulations are made.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport

Simon Lightwood

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

12th March 2026

Department for Transport

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations bring into force section 49 of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025. Section 49 introduces the legislative provisions granting Electric Vehicle Charge Point Operators the legal right to carry out street works using a permit-based system rather than the section 50 licensing regime created under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.

A full impact assessment has been produced in relation to the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and copies can be obtained at https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/59-01/0196/IA_annexes.pdf or from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government at 2 Marsham Street, London, SWIP 4DF, United Kingdom.

NOTE AS TO EARLIER COMMENCEMENT REGULATIONS

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

The following provisions of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 have been brought into force by commencement regulations made before the date of these Regulations, excluding section 91 which will come into force 1st April 2026.

| Provision | Date of Commencement | S.I. No. |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Section 1 | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 2 | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 13 | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 59 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 60 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 61 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 62 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 63 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 64(1) | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 82 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 91 | 01.04.2026 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 94 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 95 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 97 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 99 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 100 | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 101(6) to (9) | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 102 | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 103 | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 106 (partially) | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 106 (remainder) | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 108 (partially) | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 108 (remainder) | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 109 (partially) | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 109 (remainder) | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 113(3) and (4) (partially) | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 |
| Section 113(3) and (4) (remainder) | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 |
| Part 3 (remainder) | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 |
(1) 2025 c. 34.