If you have passed your driving test, you might be wondering what types of vehicles you can drive. It can be complicated figuring out the driving licence categories as some vehicles require taking additional tests before driving that particular vehicle on the road in the UK.
Figuring out what vans you are able to drive on a standard car driving licence can be tricky as there are various factors that need to be taken into account. There are some types of a van that require taking additional tests, which cost money but make you eligible for driving that van on the UK’s roads.
When it comes to the question of what vans can I drive with my licence, we at Nationwide Cars can go through the types of vans you can drive with your standard driving licence. Our latest blog outlines the vans that you can drive with a standard driving licence.
Vehicles up to the 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) limit
For driving licence owners that have obtained a Category B car licence after 1 January 1997, you can drive a vehicle with a maximum authorised mass of up to 3,500kg. If you own and drive a van, it’s important that the vehicle does not exceed the total MAM set by the DVLA.
Some jobs may require driving a van that exceeds the 3,500kg limit. In this case, you will need to apply for that licence stage in order to drive the van on public roads. If you already own a van that does not exceed the MAM limit, then you won’t need to go through another licensing stage.
Towing a trailer of up to 750kg with a van that has eight passenger seats
With the standard Category B driving licence, you can tow a trailer of up to 750kg with the van. It’s crucial that the van has a maximum of eight passenger seats and meets the 3,500kg MAM limit. It’s worth noting that this part of the criteria is for drivers who have passed their driving test after 1 January 1997.
Towing heavier trailers provided that the van and trailer are within the total 3,500kg limit
For driving licence owners that own a heavy trailer, they can tow it on their van, provided that the total van and trailer does not exceed the 3,500kg MAM limit. It’s also dependent on the type of Category B licence you own due to the transmission you’ve passed your driving test in, whether that’s automatic or manual.
If you’ve passed your driving test in an automatic vehicle, then you are unable to tow a trailer with a van that has a manual transmission. However, if you passed your driving test in a manual vehicle, then you can drive both automatic and manual vans.
Vehicle and trailer combination that does not exceed 8,250kg MAM
Drivers who passed their driving test before 1 January 1997 can drive a vehicle and trailer that does not exceed more than 8,250kg MAM. That’s more than half of the total MAM that drivers who passed their driving test after 1 January 1997 have in terms of the vehicle and trailer combination.
Drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats
It’s possible with a standard car driving licence to drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats. However, there are certain conditions that need to be met when driving this type of van on the road. The most important one is that there’s no payment received from the passengers as the van cannot be used for hire.
Here are a couple of the conditions drivers with a standard car driving licence have to meet for driving a minibus:
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You must be 21 or older to drive the minibus
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You’ve had your driving licence for at least two years
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The maximum minibus weight does not exceed 3,500kg or 4,250kg, including specialist equipment for passengers with disabilities
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You’re not towing a trailer on the back of a minibus
Knowing what vans you can drive with your driving licence can save you from being hit with penalty points on your licence, fines and an appearance at court. Once you’ve passed your test, having that knowledge available to you can save a lot of time and stress when it comes to the types of motor vehicles you can drive on the UK’s road network.
At Nationwide Cars, we have a team of experienced experts who can help find the right van for you. Speak to one of our colleagues about the van that is best suited for your driving licence capabilities, as well as the finance options that we offer for buying or upgrading a van.
