Changes to driving licence entitlement for zero-emission vehicles are now in effect from today (10 June 2025), making it easier to switch to electric vans.

The changes mean that standard category B driving licence holders are now able to drive zero-emission electric- or hydrogen-powered vehicles with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 4.25 tonnes.

The normal MAM limit for petrol and diesel vehicles with a category B licence is 3.5 tonnes.

The change removes the need for additional training for category B licence holders. While alternatively fuelled vans weighing from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes already have a gross vehicle weight derogation that enables individuals with a category B (passenger car) licence to drive them, previously licence holders still had to undertake five hours of additional training before being permitted to operate them.

The new legislation accounts for the additional weight of the batteries or fuel systems.

The rule change covers vans, minibuses, SUVs, trucks, and any vehicle that you can usually drive using a category B licence up to 3.5 tonnes.

Drivers are also be able to tow using a 4.25-tonne ZEV, as long as the MAM of the vehicle and trailer combination does not exceed seven tonnes.

Drivers who passed their category B driving test before 1 January 1997 can drive vehicle and trailer combinations up to 8.25 tonnes.

The changes have been universally greeted since they were announced in May; the BVRLA said they were “long overdue”.

But there are concerns that the licence updates could be inconsequential without additional regulatory alignment between 4.25-tonne electric vans and 3.5-tonne diesel vans, as recently consulted on by the Department for Transport (DfT).

Vital additional flexibilities include a transfer of the testing for such zero-emission vehicles from the heavy goods testing system to the MOT network under class 7 MOT testing and amending the annual testing schedule for these vehicles so they have a first MOT test after three years from new and annually thereafter. Finally, the fleet sector says the Government needs to remove the requirement for tachographs and drivers’ hours restrictions, bringing heavier electric vans in line with treatment for other 3.5-tonne GVW van.

The BVRLA – which has been pushing for these changes for some time – has warned that “out-of-date regulations are hampering the transition to a cleaner, greener van fleet”.

Chief executive Toby Poston said: “Regulatory barriers remain a key blocker for van fleet decarbonisation, alongside the lack of fiscal support and concerns over charging. Government knows the levers that need to be pulled.”

An outcome from the DfT’s consultation on further regulatory flexibility for zero-emission vans is due this summer.