Overview

• From June 10, motorists with a standard category B licence can drive zero-emission electric or hydrogen vehicles weighing up to 4.25 tonnes without extra qualifications.
• The higher weight allowance applies exclusively to battery and hydrogen models, leaving the 3.5-tonne cap intact for petrol, diesel and hybrid cars.
• Drivers no longer need to complete five hours of additional training to operate eligible heavier vehicles under the updated DVSA rules.
• Drivers can now tow trailers up to a combined 7,000kg maximum authorised mass and those who passed their category B test before January 1997 retain an 8.25-tonne vehicle-trailer entitlement.
• The BVRLA welcomed the update but cautioned that other outdated rules continue to hamper decarbonisation of the van fleet.