If you’re planning on moving house, or on transporting a bulky item of furniture from one place to another, you may be considering hiring a van.
Driving a van isn’t quite like driving a car. So first, take a look at our guide to driving a van for the first time.
In this post we’ll look at the legal side of things and discuss what licence you need to drive a van.
And if you are going to hire a van, don’t forget that you’ll need appropriate insurance cover! We can help you get instant online temporary van insurance to last from one hour to 28 days. Get a free quote online today.
What Licence Do I Need to Drive a Van?
The good news is that you can drive many vans on your standard driving licence. Your standard driving licence allows you to drive a van of up to 3,500 kg – or 3.5 tonnes. This figure refers to a van’s gross-vehicle weight (GVW) rather than the weight of the van itself.
What is a Van’s Kerb (or Unladen) Weight?
The weight of a van when it’s not carrying any cargo is known as its kerb weight, or unladen weight.
What is a Van’s Gross-Vehicle Weight (GVW)?
The GVW is the maximum amount a van’s allowed to weigh when you take everything into consideration – its kerb weight, plus its cargo.
All van manufacturers specify a van’s maximum payload – the maximum weight a van can safely transport. A van’s payload will be calculated through subtracting the van’s kerb weight from its GVW.
Examples of 3,500 kg Vans
Any company offering a van rental service should make it clear what sort of vans you can and cannot hire on a standard driving licence.
3,500 kg vans are considered “large” vans. So your standard licence should enable you to drive any of the following types of vans:
- Small “car-derived” vans and pick-up trucks.
- Minibuses with up to 16 passengers (so long as you’re not driving “for hire or reward”).
- Mid-size crew vans, panel vans, and Luton vans (in which the load area expands over the cab).
- Popular larger vans, including the Ford Transit, the Iveco Daily, and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
What Vans Can’t I Drive on a Standard Licence?
You may need to take extra tests to drive any vans with a GVW higher than 3,500 kg. This may include box vans, chassis vans, dropside vans, and tippers. You may also need to take extra tests if you wish to tow a trailer with your van.
What Are The Penalties for Driving Without the Right Licence?
If you drive a vehicle without the right licence, you can get a fine of up to £1,000, and either 3 or 6 penalty points.
- Check your driving licence information to see what vehicles you can and cannot drive on your current licence.
- Learn more about adding higher categories to your driving licence.
- If you’re not sure whether you can drive a certain van on your current licence, ask the van rental company for advice.
Ready To Drive a Van For The First Time?
Make sure you’re ready! Take a look at our guide to driving a van for the first time.
And don’t forget insurance! We can help you get instant online temporary van insurance to last from one hour to 28 days. Get a free quote online today.