diff --git a/configure.py b/configure.py
index e185e877cc..71fa373dc4 100755
--- a/configure.py
+++ b/configure.py
@@ -1239,7 +1239,6 @@ scylla_core = (['message/messaging_service.cc',
                 'service/pager/query_pagers.cc',
                 'service/qos/qos_common.cc',
                 'service/qos/service_level_controller.cc',
-                'service/qos/standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.cc',
                 'service/qos/raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.cc',
                 'streaming/stream_task.cc',
                 'streaming/stream_session.cc',
diff --git a/cql3/statements/service_level_statement.cc b/cql3/statements/service_level_statement.cc
index b8431a815e..a8f70d6e4d 100644
--- a/cql3/statements/service_level_statement.cc
+++ b/cql3/statements/service_level_statement.cc
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ future<> service_level_statement::check_access(query_processor& qp, const servic
 }
 
 bool service_level_statement::needs_guard(query_processor&, service::query_state& state) const {
-    return state.get_service_level_controller().is_v2();
+    return true;
 }
 
 audit::statement_category service_level_statement::category() const {
diff --git a/main.cc b/main.cc
index 8b1d540452..09db7d10fd 100644
--- a/main.cc
+++ b/main.cc
@@ -99,7 +99,6 @@
 
 #include "cdc/log.hh"
 #include "cdc/generation_service.hh"
-#include "service/qos/standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.hh"
 #include "service/storage_proxy.hh"
 #include "service/mapreduce_service.hh"
 #include "alternator/controller.hh"
@@ -1484,6 +1483,11 @@ To start the scylla server proper, simply invoke as: scylla server (or just scyl
                         "Cannot start - cluster is not yet upgraded to use auth v2 and this version does not support legacy auth. "
                         "If you are trying to upgrade the node then first upgrade the cluster to use auth v2.");
                 }
+                if (sys_ks.local().get_service_levels_version().get() != 2) {
+                    throw std::runtime_error(
+                        "Cannot start - cluster is not yet upgraded to use service levels v2 and this version does not support legacy service levels. "
+                        "If you are trying to upgrade the node then first upgrade the cluster to use service levels v2.");
+                }
             }
 
             const auto listen_address = utils::resolve(cfg->listen_address, family).get();
@@ -2351,9 +2355,8 @@ To start the scylla server proper, simply invoke as: scylla server (or just scyl
             // with raft leader elected as only then service level mutation is put
             // into scylla_local table. Calling it here avoids starting new cluster with
             // older version only to immediately migrate it to the latest in the background.
-            sl_controller.invoke_on_all([&qp, &group0_client] (qos::service_level_controller& controller) -> future<> {
-                return controller.reload_distributed_data_accessor(
-                        qp.local(), group0_client, sys_ks.local(), sys_dist_ks.local());
+            sl_controller.invoke_on_all([&qp, &group0_client] (qos::service_level_controller& controller) {
+                controller.reload_distributed_data_accessor(qp.local(), group0_client);
             }).get();
 
             // Initialize virtual table in system_distributed keyspace after joining the cluster, so
@@ -2403,9 +2406,7 @@ To start the scylla server proper, simply invoke as: scylla server (or just scyl
             });
 
             // update the service level cache after the SL data accessor and auth service are initialized.
-            if (sl_controller.local().is_v2()) {
-                sl_controller.local().update_cache(qos::update_both_cache_levels::yes).get();
-            }
+            sl_controller.local().update_cache(qos::update_both_cache_levels::yes).get();
 
             sl_controller.invoke_on_all([&lifecycle_notifier] (qos::service_level_controller& controller) {
                 lifecycle_notifier.local().register_subscriber(&controller);
diff --git a/service/CMakeLists.txt b/service/CMakeLists.txt
index 86b3103071..42ecbd43df 100644
--- a/service/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/service/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ target_sources(service
     paxos/proposal.cc
     qos/qos_common.cc
     qos/service_level_controller.cc
-    qos/standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.cc
     qos/raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.cc
     strong_consistency/groups_manager.cc
     strong_consistency/state_machine.cc
diff --git a/service/qos/raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.cc b/service/qos/raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.cc
index 725bf71d6f..2d1978d0a2 100644
--- a/service/qos/raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.cc
+++ b/service/qos/raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.cc
@@ -96,17 +96,9 @@ future<> raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor::commit_mutations(service:
     return std::move(mc).commit(_group0_client, as, ::service::raft_timeout{});
 }
 
-bool raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor::is_v2() const {
-    return true;
-}
-
 bool raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor::can_use_effective_service_level_cache() const {
     return true;
 }
 
-::shared_ptr<service_level_controller::service_level_distributed_data_accessor> raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor::upgrade_to_v2(cql3::query_processor& qp, service::raft_group0_client& group0_client) const {
-    return nullptr;
-}
-
 }
 
diff --git a/service/qos/raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.hh b/service/qos/raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.hh
index 7638d5439e..d7db58b3ff 100644
--- a/service/qos/raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.hh
+++ b/service/qos/raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.hh
@@ -38,9 +38,7 @@ public:
     virtual future<> drop_service_level(sstring service_level_name, service::group0_batch& mc) const override;
     virtual future<> commit_mutations(service::group0_batch&& mc, abort_source& as) const override;
 
-    virtual bool is_v2() const override;
     virtual bool can_use_effective_service_level_cache() const override;
-    virtual ::shared_ptr<service_level_distributed_data_accessor> upgrade_to_v2(cql3::query_processor& qp, service::raft_group0_client& group0_client) const override;
     static future<utils::chunked_vector<mutation>> set_service_level_mutations(cql3::query_processor& qp, sstring service_level_name, qos::service_level_options slo, api::timestamp_type timestamp);
 };
 
diff --git a/service/qos/service_level_controller.cc b/service/qos/service_level_controller.cc
index 9be912de7f..dc5d00a202 100644
--- a/service/qos/service_level_controller.cc
+++ b/service/qos/service_level_controller.cc
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@
 #include <seastar/core/shard_id.hh>
 #include <seastar/coroutine/maybe_yield.hh>
 #include "service/qos/raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.hh"
-#include "service/qos/standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.hh"
 #include "service_level_controller.hh"
 #include "db/system_distributed_keyspace.hh"
 #include "cql3/query_processor.hh"
@@ -124,12 +123,9 @@ void service_level_controller::set_distributed_data_accessor(service_level_distr
     }
 }
 
-future<> service_level_controller::reload_distributed_data_accessor(cql3::query_processor& qp, service::raft_group0_client& g0, db::system_keyspace& sys_ks, db::system_distributed_keyspace& sys_dist_ks) {
-    auto accessor = co_await qos::get_service_level_distributed_data_accessor_for_current_version(
-            sys_ks,
-            sys_dist_ks,
-            qp,
-            g0);
+void service_level_controller::reload_distributed_data_accessor(cql3::query_processor& qp, service::raft_group0_client& g0) {
+    auto accessor = static_pointer_cast<qos::service_level_controller::service_level_distributed_data_accessor>(
+        make_shared<qos::raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor>(qp, g0));
     set_distributed_data_accessor(std::move(accessor));
 }
 
@@ -510,10 +506,6 @@ future<std::optional<service_level_options>> service_level_controller::find_effe
 }
 
 std::optional<service_level_options> service_level_controller::auth_integration::find_cached_effective_service_level(const sstring& role_name) {
-    if (!_sl_controller._sl_data_accessor->is_v2()) {
-        return std::nullopt;
-    }
-
     auto effective_sl_it = _cache.find(role_name);
     return effective_sl_it != _cache.end() 
         ? std::optional<service_level_options>(effective_sl_it->second)
@@ -837,99 +829,6 @@ future<> service_level_controller::do_add_service_level(sstring name, service_le
     return make_ready_future();
 }
 
-bool service_level_controller::is_v2() const {
-    return _sl_data_accessor && _sl_data_accessor->is_v2();
-}
-
-void service_level_controller::upgrade_to_v2(cql3::query_processor& qp, service::raft_group0_client& group0_client) {
-    if (!_sl_data_accessor) {
-        return;
-    }
-
-    auto v2_data_accessor = _sl_data_accessor->upgrade_to_v2(qp, group0_client);
-    if (v2_data_accessor) {
-        _sl_data_accessor = v2_data_accessor;
-    }
-}
-
-future<> service_level_controller::migrate_to_v2(size_t nodes_count, db::system_keyspace& sys_ks, cql3::query_processor& qp, service::raft_group0_client& group0_client, abort_source& as) {
-    //TODO:
-    //Now we trust the administrator to not make changes to service levels during the migration.
-    //Ideally, during the migration we should set migration data accessor(on all nodes, on all shards) that allows to read but forbids writes
-    using namespace std::chrono_literals;
-
-    auto schema = qp.db().find_schema(db::system_distributed_keyspace::NAME, db::system_distributed_keyspace::SERVICE_LEVELS);
-
-    const auto t = 5min;
-    const timeout_config tc{t, t, t, t, t, t, t};
-    service::client_state cs(::service::client_state::internal_tag{}, tc);
-    service::query_state qs(cs, empty_service_permit());
-    
-    // `system_distributed` keyspace has RF=3 and we need to scan it with CL=ALL
-    // To support migration on cluster with 1 or 2 nodes, set appropriate CL
-    auto cl = db::consistency_level::ALL;
-    if (nodes_count == 1) {
-        cl = db::consistency_level::ONE;
-    } else if (nodes_count == 2) {
-        cl = db::consistency_level::TWO;
-    }
-    
-    auto rows = co_await qp.execute_internal(
-        format("SELECT * FROM {}.{}", db::system_distributed_keyspace::NAME, db::system_distributed_keyspace::SERVICE_LEVELS),
-        cl,
-        qs,
-        {},
-        cql3::query_processor::cache_internal::no);
-    if (rows->empty()) {
-        co_return;
-    }
-    
-
-    auto col_names = schema->all_columns() | std::views::transform([] (const auto& col) {return col.name_as_cql_string(); }) | std::ranges::to<std::vector<sstring>>();
-    auto col_names_str = fmt::to_string(fmt::join(col_names, ", "));
-    sstring val_binders_str = "?";
-    for (size_t i = 1; i < col_names.size(); ++i) {
-        val_binders_str += ", ?";
-    }
-    
-    auto guard = co_await group0_client.start_operation(as);
-
-    utils::chunked_vector<mutation> migration_muts;
-    for (const auto& row: *rows) {
-        std::vector<data_value_or_unset> values;
-        for (const auto& col: schema->all_columns()) {
-            if (row.has(col.name_as_text())) {
-                values.push_back(col.type->deserialize(row.get_blob_unfragmented(col.name_as_text())));
-            } else {
-                values.push_back(unset_value{});
-            }
-        }
-
-        auto muts = co_await qp.get_mutations_internal(
-            seastar::format("INSERT INTO {}.{} ({}) VALUES ({})",
-                db::system_keyspace::NAME,
-                db::system_keyspace::SERVICE_LEVELS_V2,
-                col_names_str,
-                val_binders_str), 
-            qos_query_state(),
-            guard.write_timestamp(),
-            std::move(values));
-        if (muts.size() != 1) {
-            on_internal_error(sl_logger, format("expecting single insert mutation, got {}", muts.size()));
-        }
-        migration_muts.push_back(std::move(muts[0]));
-    }
-
-    auto status_mut = co_await sys_ks.make_service_levels_version_mutation(2, guard.write_timestamp());
-    migration_muts.push_back(std::move(status_mut));
-
-    service::write_mutations change {
-        .mutations{migration_muts.begin(), migration_muts.end()},
-    };
-    auto group0_cmd = group0_client.prepare_command(change, guard, "migrate service levels to v2");
-    co_await group0_client.add_entry(std::move(group0_cmd), std::move(guard), as);
-}
-
 future<> service_level_controller::do_remove_service_level(sstring name, bool remove_static) {
     auto service_level_it = _service_levels_db.find(name);
     if (service_level_it != _service_levels_db.end()) {
@@ -1171,21 +1070,4 @@ future<> service_level_controller::unregister_auth_integration() {
     co_await tmp->stop();
 }
 
-future<shared_ptr<service_level_controller::service_level_distributed_data_accessor>> 
-get_service_level_distributed_data_accessor_for_current_version(
-    db::system_keyspace& sys_ks,
-    db::system_distributed_keyspace& sys_dist_ks,
-    cql3::query_processor& qp, service::raft_group0_client& group0_client
-) {
-    auto sl_version = co_await sys_ks.get_service_levels_version();
-
-    if (sl_version && *sl_version == 2) {
-        co_return static_pointer_cast<qos::service_level_controller::service_level_distributed_data_accessor>(
-            make_shared<qos::raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor>(qp, group0_client));
-    } else {
-        co_return static_pointer_cast<qos::service_level_controller::service_level_distributed_data_accessor>(
-            make_shared<qos::standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor>(sys_dist_ks));
-    }
-}
-
 } // namespace qos
diff --git a/service/qos/service_level_controller.hh b/service/qos/service_level_controller.hh
index 0537171c32..2606e25026 100644
--- a/service/qos/service_level_controller.hh
+++ b/service/qos/service_level_controller.hh
@@ -117,12 +117,9 @@ public:
         virtual future<> drop_service_level(sstring service_level_name, service::group0_batch& mc) const = 0;
         virtual future<> commit_mutations(service::group0_batch&& mc, abort_source& as) const = 0;
 
-        virtual bool is_v2() const = 0;
         // Returns whether effective service level cache can be populated and used.
         // This is equivalent to checking whether auth + raft have been migrated to raft.
         virtual bool can_use_effective_service_level_cache() const = 0;
-        // Returns v2(raft) data accessor. If data accessor is already a raft one, returns nullptr.
-        virtual ::shared_ptr<service_level_distributed_data_accessor> upgrade_to_v2(cql3::query_processor& qp, service::raft_group0_client& group0_client) const = 0;
     };
     using service_level_distributed_data_accessor_ptr = ::shared_ptr<service_level_distributed_data_accessor>;
 
@@ -252,7 +249,7 @@ public:
      * Reloads data accessor, this is used to align it with service level version
      * stored in scylla_local table.
      */
-    future<> reload_distributed_data_accessor(cql3::query_processor&, service::raft_group0_client&, db::system_keyspace&, db::system_distributed_keyspace&);
+    void reload_distributed_data_accessor(cql3::query_processor&, service::raft_group0_client&);
 
     /**
      *  Adds a service level configuration if it doesn't exists, and updates
@@ -424,23 +421,9 @@ public:
     future<std::vector<cql3::description>> describe_service_levels();
 
     future<> commit_mutations(::service::group0_batch&& mc) {
-        if (_sl_data_accessor->is_v2()) {
-            return _sl_data_accessor->commit_mutations(std::move(mc), _global_controller_db->group0_aborter);
-        }
-        return make_ready_future();
+        return _sl_data_accessor->commit_mutations(std::move(mc), _global_controller_db->group0_aborter);
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Returns true if service levels module is running under raft
-     */
-    bool is_v2() const;
-
-    void upgrade_to_v2(cql3::query_processor& qp, service::raft_group0_client& group0_client);
-
-    /**
-     * Migrate data from `system_distributed.service_levels` to `system.service_levels_v2`
-     */
-    static future<> migrate_to_v2(size_t nodes_count, db::system_keyspace& sys_ks, cql3::query_processor& qp, service::raft_group0_client& group0_client, abort_source& as);
 private:
     /**
      *  Adds a service level configuration if it doesn't exists, and updates
@@ -508,11 +491,4 @@ public:
     virtual void on_leave_cluster(const gms::inet_address& endpoint, const locator::host_id& hid) override;
 };
 
-future<shared_ptr<service_level_controller::service_level_distributed_data_accessor>> 
-get_service_level_distributed_data_accessor_for_current_version(
-    db::system_keyspace& sys_ks,
-    db::system_distributed_keyspace& sys_dist_ks,
-    cql3::query_processor& qp, service::raft_group0_client& group0_client
-);
-
 }
diff --git a/service/qos/standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.cc b/service/qos/standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.cc
deleted file mode 100644
index 33873b04de..0000000000
--- a/service/qos/standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.cc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,49 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright (C) 2020-present ScyllaDB
- */
-
-/*
- * SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-ScyllaDB-Source-Available-1.0
- */
-
-#include "standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.hh"
-#include "db/system_distributed_keyspace.hh"
-#include "service/qos/raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.hh"
-#include "service/raft/raft_group0_client.hh"
-
-namespace qos {
-
-standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor::standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor(db::system_distributed_keyspace &sys_dist_ks):
-_sys_dist_ks(sys_dist_ks) {
-}
-
-future<qos::service_levels_info> standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor::get_service_levels(qos::query_context ctx) const {
-    return _sys_dist_ks.get_service_levels(ctx);
-}
-
-future<qos::service_levels_info> standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor::get_service_level(sstring service_level_name) const {
-    return _sys_dist_ks.get_service_level(service_level_name);
-}
-
-future<> standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor::set_service_level(sstring service_level_name, qos::service_level_options slo, service::group0_batch&) const {
-    return _sys_dist_ks.set_service_level(service_level_name, slo);
-}
-
-future<> standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor::drop_service_level(sstring service_level_name, service::group0_batch&) const {
-    return _sys_dist_ks.drop_service_level(service_level_name);
-}
-
-bool standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor::is_v2() const {
-    return false;
-}
-
-bool standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor::can_use_effective_service_level_cache() const {
-    return false;
-}
-
-::shared_ptr<service_level_controller::service_level_distributed_data_accessor> standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor::upgrade_to_v2(cql3::query_processor& qp, service::raft_group0_client& group0_client) const {
-    return ::static_pointer_cast<service_level_controller::service_level_distributed_data_accessor>(
-                ::make_shared<raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor>(qp, group0_client));
-}
-
-}
diff --git a/service/qos/standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.hh b/service/qos/standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.hh
deleted file mode 100644
index 91b1195008..0000000000
--- a/service/qos/standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.hh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,37 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright (C) 2020-present ScyllaDB
- */
-
-/*
- * SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-ScyllaDB-Source-Available-1.0
- */
-
-#pragma once
-
-#include <seastar/core/abort_source.hh>
-#include <seastar/core/future.hh>
-#include "seastarx.hh"
-#include "service/raft/raft_group0_client.hh"
-#include "service_level_controller.hh"
-
-
-namespace db {
-    class system_distributed_keyspace;
-}
-namespace qos {
-class standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor : public service_level_controller::service_level_distributed_data_accessor {
-private:
-    db::system_distributed_keyspace& _sys_dist_ks;
-public:
-    standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor(db::system_distributed_keyspace &sys_dist_ks);
-    virtual future<qos::service_levels_info> get_service_levels(qos::query_context ctx) const override;
-    virtual future<qos::service_levels_info> get_service_level(sstring service_level_name) const override;
-    virtual future<> set_service_level(sstring service_level_name, qos::service_level_options slo, service::group0_batch&) const override;
-    virtual future<> drop_service_level(sstring service_level_name, service::group0_batch&) const override;
-    virtual future<> commit_mutations(service::group0_batch&& mc, abort_source& as) const override { return make_ready_future(); }
-
-    virtual bool is_v2() const override;
-    virtual bool can_use_effective_service_level_cache() const override;
-    virtual ::shared_ptr<service_level_distributed_data_accessor> upgrade_to_v2(cql3::query_processor& qp, service::raft_group0_client& group0_client) const override;
-};
-}
diff --git a/service/storage_service.cc b/service/storage_service.cc
index 22b73495e6..ee0675c17a 100644
--- a/service/storage_service.cc
+++ b/service/storage_service.cc
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@
 #include <seastar/core/sleep.hh>
 #include "service/qos/raft_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.hh"
 #include "service/qos/service_level_controller.hh"
-#include "service/qos/standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.hh"
 #include "locator/token_metadata.hh"
 #include "service/topology_guard.hh"
 #include "service/session.hh"
@@ -120,7 +119,6 @@
 #include "service/topology_mutation.hh"
 #include "cql3/query_processor.hh"
 #include "service/qos/service_level_controller.hh"
-#include "service/qos/standard_service_level_distributed_data_accessor.hh"
 #include <csignal>
 #include "utils/labels.hh"
 #include "view_info.hh"
@@ -696,13 +694,6 @@ future<> storage_service::topology_state_load(state_change_hint hint) {
     _topology_state_machine.reload_count++;
     auto& topology = _topology_state_machine._topology;
 
-    if (!_sl_controller.local().is_v2()) {
-        co_await _sl_controller.invoke_on_all([this] (qos::service_level_controller& sl_controller) {
-            sl_controller.upgrade_to_v2(_qp, _group0->client());
-        });
-        co_await _sl_controller.local().update_cache(qos::update_both_cache_levels::yes, qos::query_context::group0);
-    }
-
     // the view_builder is migrated to v2 in view_builder::migrate_to_v2.
     // it writes a v2 version mutation as topology_change, then we get here
     // to update the service to start using the v2 table.
@@ -953,10 +944,7 @@ future<> storage_service::merge_topology_snapshot(raft_snapshot snp) {
 
 future<> storage_service::update_service_levels_cache(qos::update_both_cache_levels update_only_effective_cache, qos::query_context ctx) {
     SCYLLA_ASSERT(this_shard_id() == 0);
-    if (_sl_controller.local().is_v2()) {
-        // Skip cache update unless the topology upgrade is done
-        co_await _sl_controller.local().update_cache(update_only_effective_cache, ctx);
-    }
+    co_await _sl_controller.local().update_cache(update_only_effective_cache, ctx);
 }
 
 future<> storage_service::compression_dictionary_updated_callback_all() {
diff --git a/service/topology_coordinator.cc b/service/topology_coordinator.cc
index 8142f806ea..e2b4cccfe4 100644
--- a/service/topology_coordinator.cc
+++ b/service/topology_coordinator.cc
@@ -3877,7 +3877,7 @@ future<std::optional<group0_guard>> topology_coordinator::maybe_migrate_system_t
         co_return std::nullopt;
     }
 
-    if (_sl_controller.is_v2() && _feature_service.driver_service_level) {
+    if (_feature_service.driver_service_level) {
         const auto sl_driver_created = co_await _sys_ks.get_service_level_driver_created();
         if (!sl_driver_created.value_or(false)) {
             co_return co_await _sl_controller.migrate_to_driver_service_level(std::move(guard), _sys_ks);
diff --git a/test/boost/auth_test.cc b/test/boost/auth_test.cc
index fde4389e40..d1d62d273e 100644
--- a/test/boost/auth_test.cc
+++ b/test/boost/auth_test.cc
@@ -223,8 +223,7 @@ SEASTAR_TEST_CASE(test_alter_with_timeouts) {
         // Avoid reading from memtables, which does not check timeouts due to being too fast
         e.db().invoke_on_all([] (replica::database& db) { return db.flush_all_memtables(); }).get();
 
-        auto sl_is_v2 = e.local_client_state().get_service_level_controller().is_v2();
-	    auto msg = cquery_nofail(e, format("SELECT timeout FROM {}", sl_is_v2 ? "system.service_levels_v2" : "system_distributed.service_levels"));
+	    auto msg = cquery_nofail(e, format("SELECT timeout FROM {}", "system.service_levels_v2"));
         assert_that(msg).is_rows().with_rows({
             {duration_type->from_string("5ms")},
             {{}}, // `sl:driver`
@@ -232,7 +231,7 @@ SEASTAR_TEST_CASE(test_alter_with_timeouts) {
 
         cquery_nofail(e, "ALTER SERVICE LEVEL sl WITH timeout = 35s");
 
-	    msg = cquery_nofail(e, format("SELECT timeout FROM {} WHERE service_level = 'sl'", sl_is_v2 ? "system.service_levels_v2" : "system_distributed.service_levels"));
+	    msg = cquery_nofail(e, format("SELECT timeout FROM {} WHERE service_level = 'sl'", "system.service_levels_v2"));
         assert_that(msg).is_rows().with_rows({{
             duration_type->from_string("35s")
         }});
@@ -311,8 +310,7 @@ SEASTAR_TEST_CASE(test_alter_with_workload_type) {
         cquery_nofail(e, "CREATE SERVICE LEVEL sl");
         cquery_nofail(e, "ATTACH SERVICE LEVEL sl TO user1");
 
-        auto sl_is_v2 = e.local_client_state().get_service_level_controller().is_v2();
-	    auto msg = cquery_nofail(e, format("SELECT workload_type FROM {}", sl_is_v2 ? "system.service_levels_v2" : "system_distributed.service_levels"));
+	    auto msg = cquery_nofail(e, format("SELECT workload_type FROM {}", "system.service_levels_v2"));
         assert_that(msg).is_rows().with_rows({
             {{}},
             {"batch"}, // `sl:driver`
diff --git a/test/boost/service_level_controller_test.cc b/test/boost/service_level_controller_test.cc
index af7d5fda85..3ff96b81a6 100644
--- a/test/boost/service_level_controller_test.cc
+++ b/test/boost/service_level_controller_test.cc
@@ -163,15 +163,9 @@ SEASTAR_THREAD_TEST_CASE(too_many_service_levels) {
             }
             return make_ready_future<>();
         }    
-        virtual bool is_v2() const override {
-            return true;
-        }
         virtual bool can_use_effective_service_level_cache() const override {
             return true;
         }
-        virtual ::shared_ptr<service_level_distributed_data_accessor> upgrade_to_v2(cql3::query_processor& qp, service::raft_group0_client& group0_client) const override {
-            return make_shared<data_accessor>();
-        }
         virtual future<> commit_mutations(service::group0_batch&& mc, abort_source& as) const override {
             return make_ready_future<>();
         }
diff --git a/transport/server.cc b/transport/server.cc
index 293dc5f37a..11fd47cc67 100644
--- a/transport/server.cc
+++ b/transport/server.cc
@@ -2348,12 +2348,6 @@ future<> cql_server::update_connections_scheduling_group() {
 }
 
 future<> cql_server::update_connections_service_level_params() {
-    if (!_sl_controller.is_v2()) {
-        // Auto update of connections' service level params requires
-        // service levels in v2.
-        return make_ready_future<>();
-    }
-
     return for_each_gently([this] (generic_server::connection& conn) {
         connection& cql_conn = dynamic_cast<connection&>(conn);
         auto& cs = cql_conn.get_client_state();