Driving license rule change

Motorists who have a standard Category B driving license, which enables the holder to drive any vehicle weighing up to 3,500kg (or 3.5 tonnes), will now be able to drive alternatively fuelled vans weighing up to 4.5 tonnes, under new rules that came into force on April 29 2019.

The extra weight allowance has been given to allow for the heavy batteries used within hybrid and electric vans.

Category B license holders must complete a minimum five hours of additional relevant training in order to take advantage of the regulation change, by instructors who are registered with either The National Register of LGV Instructors or The National Vocational Driving Instructors Register.

The Syllabus is divided into three units, which are based on content from the DVSA National Driving Standard for cars and light vans and the National standard for driving lorries:

Unit 1 – Preparing the alternatively fuelled vehicle and its contents for daily use

Unit 2 – Driving the alternatively fuelled vehicle in accordance with the Highway Code and legislation

Unit 3 – Driving safely and efficiently.

Full details here: License requirements AFVs