The Department for Transport is considering changing the rules around driving licences to allow more motorists to be able to get behind the wheel of larger vehicles.
It has issued a call for evidence, or a consultation, that could lead to licences issued to drivers that passed since 1997 being brought closer in line with those that passed before that date. Before 1997, drivers of any age could drive vehicles weighing up to 8.25 tonnes – something that is only possible for younger drivers if they go through additional training to upgrade their licence from a category B to a category C1.
Currently, drivers that passed their test after 1997 are restricted to driving vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of no more than 3.5 tonnes. Anything heavier than 3.5 tonnes is classified as a heavy goods vehicle. The only exception is for electric vehicles – motorists with post-1997 tests can drive anything weighing up to 4.25 tonnes without taking an extra test, but only after they have taken five hours of additional training.
What is the proposal suggesting?
The consultation is considering whether it should return to the pre-1997 situation and give more people the ability to drive heavier vans and small lorries.
The change came about as a result of the EU Second Driving Licence Directive that required drivers to pass a second test in order to be allowed to drive vehicles that can be many times larger than a standard car.
However, it says that it would not mean a straight return to the situation where everyone got the entitlement automatically. The government is considering whether it should only apply a certain period after a driver has passed their test, or when a motorist reaches a specific age.
What about minibuses?
Minibuses are treated separately as far as driving licences are concerned, and you need to pass another test to get a D1 category licence. This allows you to drive a vehicle with up to 16 seats that measure 8m in length at most.
Again, this was something that pre-1997 passers were entitled to do from the moment they ripped up their L plates, but those who did so later were not allowed to do so. Post-1997 drivers on a category B licence are restricted to vehicles with up to eight passenger seats.
How do I fill in the consultation?
The consultation is available online and is looking to cover the following:
- > The additional training that drivers must complete to be able to drive other vehicles
- > The types of vehicles that should be eligible
- > What towing allowance should be permitted
- > Which powertrains should be eligible for the change
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