Vans
How to pass your van driving test
Do I need a van driving licence?
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 27/06/2025
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 27/06/2025
Whether moving home or transporting large items, sometimes it pays to drive a van. Before looking into hiring a van or borrowing one from a friend, you should take the time to consider your best options.
In this post, we’ll be offering a whole host of van driving tips so you can see if you have everything you need before making your van plans.
You can drive the majority of medium and smaller vans if you have a standard UK driving licence. If you look at the back of your driving licence, you’ll be able to see the different types of vehicles you are entitled to drive.
You can check your driving licence details on gov.uk using your licence number, NI number, and postcode. You can drive a van from the age of 17.
As long as a van doesn’t weigh over 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM)*, you’re good to go. Vehicles in this category include the Citroen Berlingo, Ford Transit Connect, Renault Kangoo and many other vans that are ideal for new drivers.
Some electric vans are exempt from this weight limit as their batteries are so heavy. Their weight limit can be up to 4,500kg.
* Maximum authorised mass (MAM) includes the vehicle weight, driver, passengers, luggage or cargo, petrol and oil.
There are a number of different driving licence categories to be aware of when it comes to driving larger and more specialist vehicles, which tend to weigh over 3,500kg.
Usually allowed to drive a combination of vehicle and trailer up to 8,250kg MAM but check your driving licence for confirmation. You can also drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.
Physically disabled drivers with provisional category have provisional entitlement to ride category A1 or A motor tricycles. Non-disabled drivers can no longer ride motor tricycles with a provisional category B licence.
The size of the trailer depends on the BE ‘valid from’ date shown on your licence. If the date is before 19 January 2013, you can tow any size trailer within the towing limits of the vehicle.
If it’s on or after 19 January 2013, you can tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500kg within the towing limits of the vehicle.
The combined MAM of both cannot exceed 12,000kg.
Vehicles with:
The combined MAM of both cannot exceed 12,000kg.
Any bus with more than 8 passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg MAM.
D category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg.
You will need a Category B licence to drive pickup trucks and C1 licence for heavier commercial vehicles and minibuses. To qualify for these licences you will have to complete some van driving tests.
Some independent companies and businesses offer van driver training courses to help boost confidence. You can find the ones in your local area by searching online.
If you passed your test after 1 January, 1997, you might need to take some extra tests before driving vehicles that weigh between 3,500kg and 7,500kg. If you want to drive a truck for either personal or commercial reasons, you will need a C1 licence.
You’ll need to have a standard B licence and be aged over 18 to get a C1 licence.
You need to pass a C test to get a HGV licence. If you want to drive for a living, you will need to complete all four parts of the Certificate of Professional Compliance (CPC). If you’re not getting paid, you only need to pass the theory and practical parts.
You can find out more about C licences and becoming a qualified lorry or bus driver at gov.uk.
You can drive a standard van (weighing under 3,500kg) once you’ve passed a standard driving test.
If you’re looking to drive a lorry, minibus, bus or coach, you’ll usually need to take the four CPC tests. The costs for these are below:
Test | Weekdays | Evenings, weekends and bank holidays |
Driver CPC part 1a: theory - multiple-choice questions | £26 | £26 |
Driver CPC part 1b: theory - hazard perception | £11 | £11 |
Driver CPC part 2: case studies | £23 | £23 |
Driver CPC part 3a: off-road exercises | £40 | £40 |
Driver CPC part 3b: on-road driving | £115 | £141 |
Driver CPC part 4: practical demonstration | £55 | £63 |
The same insurance and tax rules apply to driving a van as they do to a car:
Van speed limits also vary from cars:
Please note that both of these are 10mph lower than the car limit.
If you’re borrowing a van, why not consider temporary van insurance?
If you pass a standard car driving test, you will be able to drive smaller and medium vans weighing less than 3,500kg. If you want to drive a larger or specialist vehicle, you will need a C1 licence. You may have to complete all four parts of the Certificate of Professional Compliance (CPC) if you want to drive for a living.
No, not unless you want to drive a larger or specialist vehicle for which you need a C1 licence. If you want to drive for a living, you will need to complete all four parts of the Certificate of Professional Compliance (CPC).
Related tags:
Van