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Licensing changes mean category B licence holders can drive larger electric vans up to 4.25 tonnes
From 10 June, drivers with a category B driving licence will be able to drive a fully electric or hydrogen-powered vehicle with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 4.25 tonnes. The normal MAM limit for petrol and diesel vehicles with a category B licence is 3.5 tonnes.
The change will remove the need for additional training for category B licence holders.
Alternatively-fuelled vans weighing from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes already have a gross vehicle weight derogation that enables individuals with a category B (passenger car) licence to drive them, but licence holders must still undertake five hours of additional training before being permitted to operate them.
The new legislation brings rules for heavier zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) in line with their petrol and diesel equivalents, accounting for the additional weight of their batteries and removing the training requirement.
Drivers will also be able to tow using a 4.25-tonne ZEV, as long as the MAM of the vehicle and trailer combination does not exceed seven tonnes.
Drivers who passed their category B driving test before 1 January 1997 can drive vehicle and trailer combinations up to 8.25 tonnes.
The BVRLA welcomed the changes. Chief executive Toby Poston said: “Out-of-date regulations are hampering the transition to a cleaner, greener van fleet, so we welcome any modernisation to reflect the profiles of today’s vehicles. These changes are long overdue and leave a couple of other urgent updates waiting in the wings.
“The BVRLA, in coalition with its Zero Emission Van Plan partners, continues to call for this red tape to be eliminated. Regulatory barriers remain a key blocker for van fleet decarbonisation, alongside the lack of fiscal support and concerns over charging. Government knows the levers that need to be pulled and we are optimistic that these changes mark the start of more progress to come.”
