Electric Van Licence Rules: Driving 4.25-Tonne Vans on a Car Licence

A standard car licence now lets you drive a zero-emission van weighing up to 4.25 tonnes, 750kg more than the 3.5-tonne limit that still applies to petrol and diesel vans. Since 1 June 2026 those heavier electric vans also escape the tachograph and HGV-style testing. For a tradesperson, that removes the main legal penalty for choosing the van with the bigger battery and the bigger payload. For a payload example, see our Kia PV5 Chassis Cab report.

What does a car licence now allow?

Drivers holding a Category B licence can operate fully electric or hydrogen-powered vans with a gross vehicle weight of up to 4.25 tonnes, according to Motor Transport. The normal limit for petrol and diesel vehicles on the same licence is 3.5 tonnes. The weight above 3.5 tonnes must come from the zero-emission propulsion system.

The rule took effect on 10 June 2025, and Van Reviewer reported that the mandatory five-hour training requirement was scrapped at the same time. That course had been a hurdle for many drivers and employers moving into heavier electric vans.

The reason for the allowance is weight. Batteries make electric vans heavier than diesel equivalents, so a van that would carry the same load as a 3.5-tonne diesel can tip past the limit on its own. The higher ceiling puts the two on equal terms.

What changed on 1 June 2026?

The second stage arrived this summer. From 1 June 2026, zero-emission vans of 3.5 to 4.25 tonnes moved into GB drivers’ hours rules, which removed the tachograph requirement and the existing distance-from-base limit (Greenfleet). Tachographs can be removed or deactivated. electrive summarised the package as the removal of HGV rules for larger electric vans.

The MOT changed too. From 1 June 2026, zero-emission goods vehicles between 3,501kg and 4,250kg transitioned to Class 7 testing, meaning the first MOT falls due three years after registration and fees are lower (London Business Magazine).

Area	Before the changes	Now
Licence	Category B limited to 3.5 tonnes	Category B, up to 4.25 tonnes for zero-emission vans
Training	Mandatory five-hour course	Scrapped
Tachograph	Required for vans over 3.5 tonnes	Can be removed or deactivated
Distance-from-base limit	Applied	Removed
MOT	HGV-style testing	Class 7, first test at three years

How much can you tow?

Category B holders can tow a trailer, provided the combined maximum authorised mass of the electric or hydrogen van and its trailer does not exceed 7 tonnes (Motor Transport). The trailer itself must never exceed 3.5 tonnes.

The worked example is simple. A van with a 4.25-tonne maximum authorised mass can pull a trailer of up to 2.75 tonnes. A van with a lower plated weight leaves more headroom, but the 3.5-tonne trailer cap still applies.

Check the plates before you hitch up. The van’s own towing capacity, set by its maker, is a separate limit that sits on top of the licence rules. Our guide to electric cars for towing explains how towing capacity and range interact, and the same logic applies to vans.

Which vans does this affect?

The rule covers any zero-emission goods van that falls between 3.5 and 4.25 tonnes gross, so it matters most for larger panel vans and chassis cabs. The practical gains are bigger payloads and flexibility for crews, without extra training. Many mainstream electric vans, such as the Ford E-Transit Custom, sit below the 3.5-tonne line anyway, so the change matters most when you step up to a larger model.

If you are weighing a purchase, the wider financial picture is in our guide to the tax benefits of electric vans for businesses, and the Plug-in Van Grant explainer lists the vans that qualify for support. Government is also consulting on a longer-term target, covered in our report on the van ZEV mandate consultation.

What this means for you

• Sole traders: you can buy or lease a heavier electric van and drive it on the licence you already hold. Confirm the van’s plated gross weight is 4.25 tonnes or below, and that it is zero-emission, before you sign.
• Employers: ask your insurer to confirm cover for staff on Category B licences, and remove tachograph requirements from your compliance routine only for vans within the 3.5 to 4.25-tonne zero-emission band.
• Anyone towing: work out your combined weight first. Van plus trailer must stay within 7 tonnes, and the trailer within 3.5 tonnes.
• Running costs: plan MOT diary dates around the new Class 7 schedule, with the first test due three years after registration.

Our electric vans for sole traders guide has recommendations once you know which weight class you need.