Proposed changes to European driving licences

EU agrees provisional agreement on new rules for driving licences

The European Parliament and the Council have agreed on an amendment to the EU Driving Licence Directive that will allow holders of class B driving licences to drive motorhomes of up to 4,250kg. This is an increase from the current limit of 3,500kg.  Although a timeline has yet to be specified, it is anticipated the amendment will be formally adopted after which member states will have four years to transpose the Directive into national legislation.

How will this affect the UK?

Following Brexit, the UK does not have to introduce new or amendments to EU Directives, however the UK Government has previously adopted changes to the Driving Licence Directive.

It is expected the Government will again adopt this change, which the NCC supports and has lobbied for in recent years, and we are in discussions with the Driver Standards Agency (DSA) to press for an early decision so the change can be effective for UK class B licence holders.

What will the change mean for UK class B licence holders?

If adopted the amendment will:

·      Introduce new rules to allow holders of class B driving licences to drive motorhomes with a total weight of up to 4,250kg once they have completed either special training or passed a test. The decision on either training or a test, or even both, will be for the UK Government to decide as in Europe.

·      Permit drivers of all vehicles with alternative drive systems (such as electric or hydrogen vehicles) to drive heavier vehicles without a test, provided the driver has held a driving licence for at least two years.