Karmactive Team
From June 10, drivers across Britain will benefit from important changes to driving license rules that make it easier to drive heavier electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Under the new rules, anyone with a standard Category B driving license can now drive electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles weighing up to 4,250kg – a significant increase from the current 3,500kg limit that applies to petrol and diesel vehicles.
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles explains: “From June 10, if you hold a category B driving licence, you can drive an electric or hydrogen-powered vehicle with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 4,250kg. The vehicle must be a zero-emission vehicle.”
This change addresses a practical challenge for electric vehicle owners. Electric cars are typically much heavier than their petrol counterparts because of their batteries, which can weigh as much as 900kg. The average electric car battery weighs about 454kg.
The new rules will apply to various vehicle types including cars, SUVs, vans, and small trucks designed to carry up to eight passengers. For vehicles with specialist equipment for disabled passengers, the weight limit stretches even further to 5,000kg, provided the extra 750kg comes from the specialist equipment.
Drivers will also see changes to towing rules. With an electric or hydrogen vehicle, you can now tow a trailer as long as the combined weight doesn’t exceed 7,000kg. This means if your zero-emission vehicle weighs 4,250kg, your trailer can weigh up to 2,750kg.
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Those who passed their driving test before January 1, 1997 maintain their existing entitlement to drive vehicle and trailer combinations up to 8,250kg.
Importantly, drivers won’t need to update their physical driving license to benefit from these new entitlements – the changes apply automatically to all Category B license holders.
The government hasn’t made training mandatory for driving these heavier vehicles, but has suggested that drivers who feel uncomfortable can seek additional instruction. The National Register of LGV Instructors and the National Vocational Driving Instructors Register both offer lists of specialist training providers.
These changes only apply to drivers in England, Scotland, and Wales.
For those concerned about handling heavier vehicles, experts recommend extra checks when towing, including inspecting the tow ball, connections, wheels, tires, lights, and load distribution. When driving with a trailer, it’s important to understand how to maneuver safely and what to do if the trailer becomes unstable.
This update represents a practical solution to accommodate the growing number of zero-emission vehicles on Britain’s roads while ensuring drivers can operate them with their existing licenses.
