Can I Drive a Van on My Licence? UK Van Licencing Explained

Table of Contents

Can I Drive a Van on my Driving Licence?

What Size Van can I Drive on a Standard Car Licence?

When do I Need a Different Licence to Drive a Van?

Common Van Types and Whether you can Drive Them

What About Towing a Trailer with a Van?

Rules for Using a Van for Work

How to Check What Your Licence Allows You to Drive

If you’re thinking about switching to a van — or you simply need to use one for work or personal reasons — one of the first questions you may ask is: “Can I drive a van on my licence?” The good news is that, in the UK, most drivers can legally drive many types of vans on a standard car licence. But there are limits, rules, and exceptions to understand before you get behind the wheel. This guide breaks everything down clearly, including what licence you need to drive a van, what size van you can drive, and the rules around weight limits, electric vans, and business use. You’ll also find practical advice to help you stay safe and properly insured.

Can I Drive a Van on my Driving Licence?

In most cases, yes. If you hold a full UK Category B driving licence (a standard car licence), you are legally allowed to drive a van up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM). Maximum authorised mass, or MAM, is the total legal weight of a van when fully loaded, including the vehicle itself, the driver, passengers, fuel, and any cargo. Click on this link for more information about vehicle weights. This covers the vast majority of small and medium vans used for delivery, trades, moving goods, and everyday driving. You can usually find the MAM listed on the van’s VIN plate (inside the driver door or under the bonnet) or on its V5C logbook.

What Size Van can I Drive on a Standard Car Licence?

On a Category B car licence, you can drive:

Vans up to 3,500kg MAM

These include common models such as:

• Ford Transit Custom
• Vauxhall Vivaro
• Mercedes-Benz Vito
• Renault Trafic
• VW Transporter

Most people searching “what size van can I drive?” are referring to this category; the answer is that these medium-sized vans are perfectly fine to drive on a normal car licence.

Zero-emission vans up to 4,250kg MAM

Electric vans (EVs) and hydrogen-powered vans are heavier due to battery weight. For this reason, the UK allows Category B drivers to drive zero-emission vans up to 4.25 tonnes. This higher limit applies if:

• the van is zero-emission (electric/hydrogen)
• it is being used for transporting goods
• you complete 5 hours of training with an accredited instructor

This is useful for couriers, tradespeople, and delivery drivers looking to move to electric vans without upgrading their licence.

When do I Need a Different Licence to Drive a Van?

If the van’s MAM exceeds 3,500kg (or 4,250kg if zero-emission), you’ll need additional licence categories:

Category C1 — medium-sized vehicles (3,500kg to 7,500kg)

You may already have this entitlement if you passed your test before 1 January 1997. If not, you must take a separate test. If you’re under 21 you can only drive a vehicle up to 3,500kg. You can also check here to see which vehicles you can drive on your current licence. C1 vans include:

• Larger box vans
• Bigger Luton vans with heavy payloads
• Some recovery vehicles

Category C — large goods vehicles (LGV/HGV)

Required for anything over 7,500kg. This is typically for professional goods vehicle drivers and not common for everyday van use. For more information about the above, please visit the relevant section GOV.UK website.

Common Van Types and Whether you can Drive Them

Here’s a quick snapshot of popular van categories and the licence you need.

Always check the specific van’s weight, as models can vary based on specification and load capacity.

What About Towing a Trailer with a Van?

Towing rules changed in December 2021. Most drivers can now tow up to 3,500kg MAM trailers depending on vehicle limits, but the exact amount depends on:

• the van’s towing capacity
• the Gross Train Weight (GTW)
• the trailer’s weight

Your licence category still matters, but the vehicle limits are the main consideration. If you plan to tow frequently — especially for business or courier work — make sure you’re insured for it and trained appropriately.

Rules for Using a Van for Work

If you’re using a van for work (e.g., delivery driving, courier work, trades), it’s important to make sure you meet the additional requirements:

Correct insurance

A standard personal policy won’t be enough. You will need:

• Van insurance (for social, domestic and pleasure use)
• Courier van insurance (if you deliver goods for hire or reward)

Compliance with vehicle weight and loading rules

The DVSA regularly checks vans for:

• overloading
• unsafe loads
• poor maintenance
• non-compliant equipment

Overloading alone can lead to:

• fines
• points
• insurance becoming invalid
• vehicle being prohibited from use

If you use a van for commercial goods transport above certain weight thresholds, you may fall under additional operator licensing rules. This usually applies when:

• towing pushes the combined weight above 3,500kg
• you’re operating commercially across borders
• you’re using larger commercial vans or have added trailers

For most small and medium van drivers, these rules don’t apply, but it’s important to be aware of them.

How to Check What Your Licence Allows You to Drive

To avoid confusion, here is a simple three-step method: Step 1: Check your licence categories Look at the back of your photocard licence or log into the DVLA website. If you see:

• B — standard car / van up to 3,500kg
• C1 — medium commercial vehicles (3.5–7.5 tonnes)
• C — large commercial vehicles (>7.5 tonnes)

Step 2: Check the van’s weight (MAM) Find the MAM on:

• the VIN plate
• the V5C logbook
• manufacturer specifications

Step 3: Compare the two If the van’s MAM is within your licence category, you can legally drive it.

Summary: Can You Drive a Van on Your Licence?

In most cases, you can drive a van on your licence without any extra tests. A standard Category B licence covers:

• Vans up to 3,500kg MAM
• Zero-emission vans up to 4,250kg MAM (with conditions)

You’ll only need a different licence (C1 or C) if you’re driving larger or heavier vans. Before you drive:

• check your licence categories
• check the van’s MAM
• make sure your van insurance is suitable for your needs

If you plan to use your van for courier van work, delivery driving, or business purposes, choosing the right van insurance is essential to stay protected.