What type of licence do you need to drive a van?

Vans are an important part of society: from multi-billion pound supermarket groups to local tradespeople, they help shift goods and keep a nation’s needs met. So it’s likely that you may one day find yourself needing to drive one, but can you do so with a regular car licence? 

Well… yes and no. You see, driving a van is more complicated than you might think, and a standard driver’s licence doesn’t just permit you to get in and drive any and every type of van. But what are the discrepancies to be aware of, and how can you make sure you’re legally allowed to drive a particular van? Read on to find out… 

What licence do I need to drive a van?

This is mostly determined by a van’s Gross Vehicle Weight (more on this later). If you own a standard Category B driver’s licence, you’re allowed to drive any small or medium-sized combustion-engined van weighing up to 3500kg in total. This increases to 4250kg if it's an electric or hydrogen van (because batteries are heavy).

If you want to go one class higher and drive a large van that weighs between 3500kg and 7500kg, you’ll need to upgrade to a 'Category C1' licence. This can be acquired by completing an extra qualification, which includes multiple choice theory, hazard perception and practical tests. 

There are also a few other base requirements needed to apply for a C1 licence, and they are as follows:

- You must be at least 18 years of age

- You must hold a full Category B licence 

- You must pass a medical examination 

The C1 licence also allows you to hitch up a trailer that weighs up to 750kg, but if you want to load up anything heavier, you’ll need to complete an extension to this called the 'C1+E'. Again, this comprises a theory and practical driving test. 

It’s also worth noting that the combined weight of the van and trailer cannot exceed 12,000kg with this licence. If you find yourself in a situation where you would be hauling more – like transporting multiple horseboxes or a bungalow – you’ll need the 'C+E' licence (sometimes known as CE). This has no restrictions on weight, since it is the highest form of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) licence you can get.

What are ‘grandfather rights’? 

It’s worth noting at this point of something called ‘grandfather rights’. It means that anyone who passed their driving test before 1 January 1997 may automatically have a C1 categorisation added to their licence, allowing them to drive vans up to 7500kg already. And no, you don’t have to be a grandparent to qualify, just to confirm. 

If you’re uncertain as to when exactly you passed your test, you can check the back of your driving licence. If it includes C1 as well as B, you’re permitted to drive vans weighing up to 7500kg already.

What vans can I drive on a normal car licence? 

Even if you don’t have grandfather rights, you’ve still got up to 3500kg to work with on a basic driver’s licence. That means there are plenty of vans you’ll still be allowed to drive, with some notable examples being the Citroën Dispatch, Ford Transit Custom and Volkswagen Transporter. But there’s something you need to be cautious of even if the base weight of the van is under 3.5 tonnes… 

What is Gross Vehicle Weight?

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) means the base weight of a van, plus the total weight of the cargo onboard. It's the way vans and other commercial vehicles are categorised, since a van is rarely without some sort of payload, so having a combined figure is the most accurate representation of its true weight. 

GVW is also known by a few other names, including Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM), Permissible Maximum Weight (PMW) or Revenue Weight. 

You can use the GVW to calculate how much load you can keep in your van. For instance, if you have a Category B licence (meaning a GVW limit of 3500kg), and your van weighs 2200kg, you can store up to 1300kg worth of cargo. Exceed that limit, and you’ll be breaking the law.

The good news is that most small and medium-sized vans are built to factor this in, and weigh far less than 3500kg. Take the Mercedes Vito for example: most versions come in around the 2100 to 2200kg mark, and tend to have a GVW of circa 3000kg. That means, on a basic driving licence, you can get yourself a Vito, fill it up with goods to its maximum GVW, and still be within the legal limit. 

A lot of larger vans – like the Renault Master, Vauxhall Vivaro and Volkswagen Crafter – are also below the 3500kg weight, but you have to be cautious. Because of the increased dimensions and already higher weight, it’s very easy for you to cross over the legal GVW, thus making it illegal to drive with a normal car licence. 

Where can I find my van’s GVW?

A van’s maximum GVW can be found on its vehicle identification number (VIN) plate, which is usually written along the dashboard or on the driver’s side door frame. If you can’t find it here, refer to the vehicle’s manual, contact the manufacturer or check the government website. Aside from how much load can be carried, the GVW should also highlight precisely where the weight should be placed in the van. 

As a guideline, most small vans – for example, the Toyota Proace City – will have a limit of less than 2.5 tonnes. Mid-sized vans like the VW Transporter up this to between 2.6 tonnes and 3.2 tonnes. Then, the very largest vans – like the Ford Transit – will generally be limited to 3.5 tonnes or less. But this isn’t set in stone, and some versions will have higher GVWs to suit certain purposes. 

Do I get a penalty fine for overloading?

Yes, you do. These can vary depending on how much you’ve overloaded, and on the circumstances surrounding why or how it happened. But in many situations, this is how the penalty structure looks:

- Up to 10% overweight = £100

- Between 10% and 15% overweight = £200

- Between 15% and 30% overweight = £300

- Beyond 30% overweight = Court summons

If you find yourself receiving court summons, you should find and contact a transport lawyer at once so you can understand how to deal with your case. Ignoring these summons could – as with most driving penalties – lead to an even harsher fine. 

What does revenue weight of 3500kg mean?

‘Revenue weight’ is just another way of saying GMV. So if you see ‘revenue weight 3500kg’ written somewhere, it means your van, with all its cargo and passengers onboard, should not exceed 3500kg. 

What size van can I drive?

On a regular Category B licence, almost anything that doesn’t weigh over 3.5 tonnes. In the UK, van regulations are determined by weight, not physical dimensions. So you could have a van that looks big and scary, but as long as it weighs below the legal limit, you’ll be allowed to drive it.  

Can I tow a trailer with a van on a car licence? 

Yes, you can tow a trailer that weighs up to 3500kg behind a van with a maximum GVW of up to 3500kg on a regular car licence. If you’re entitled to grandfather rights, you’re actually allowed to drive a van/trailer that have a combined weight of up to 8250kg. 

However much your licence allows you to tow, it’s a legal requirement to remember that you cannot exceed your van’s gross towing weight (GTW) or its maximum towing mass (the maximum weight for a laden trailer). 

Should I complete any checks before I set off? 

To make sure you’re as safe and as legal as possible before driving, follow this simple checklist: 

- Licence check -  Make sure that your driving licence includes the category of vehicle that you want to drive. The B category licence will let you drive all vans weighing less than 3500kg. A C1 licence enables you to drive vans weighing up to 7500kg.

- VIN number check - Locate this and make sure you’re familiar with how much weight your vehicle can carry. It’s best not to risk and overload a van, even if it’s by a couple of kilograms.

- Tow and trailer checks - If you're planning to tow a trailer, make sure that you've loaded it according to its plated weights, as well as those of the van being used to pull it.

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