Government consults on driving licence changes

The Government is considering allowing drivers who passed their driving test after 1 January, 1997, and so are currently restricted to driving vehicles weighing 3,500kg or less, to be able to drive heavier vehicles without having to sit an additional test.

Anyone who passed their driving test before 1 January, 1997, is able to drive a vehicle up to 7,500kg under the so-called grandfather rights. Now, under this wider consultation into driving licences, the Government has been asking for feedback on whether all drivers should be allowed to drive vehicles up to 7,500kg.

Following Brexit, the Government has been considering several changes to the rules governing driving licences and has already changed the law regarding trailers, which means younger drivers can now tow heavier trailers. Now it is consulting on increasing weight limits for drivers who passed their test in the last 26 years.

A Department for Transport spokesperson says,

The motorhome and caravan industry body, the National Caravan Council, supported the proposals that the entitlement C1 (to drive a vehicle up to 7,500kg) be given to people at the same time they passed their car test (category B), with an age restriction of 21.

It also agreed with the proposal that vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg that are designed and built for leisure purposes, such as motorhomes and campervans, be exempted from the Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) rules. This would mean an additional driving test would not be needed to get behind the wheel of a larger, heavier motorhome.

Once the results have been published, a proposal will be made and possibly further consultations carried out before any proposed changes to the law will be drafted. These will then need to be approved by Parliament.

If this law does make it through, it may have speed up the introduction of motorhomes with electric drivetrains. Because of the weight of battery packs, it is unlikely that pure-electric motorhomes will weigh under 3,500kg.

It is worth noting that UK drivers with only category B on the licence can already drive alternative-fuelled vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes (with five hours training through an approved centre).

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