How to pass your van driving test
Do I need a van driving licence?
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 21/01/2026
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.
Who can drive a van?
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.
Different types of van driving licence
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.
Category B (if you passed your driving test before 1 January, 1997)
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.
Category B (if you passed your test on or after 1 January, 1997)
- Vehicles up to 3500kg MAM with up to 8 passenger seats.
- Trailers weighing up to 3,500kg MAM.
- Motorcycles with power output higher than 15kW (as long as you are over 21 years old)
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.
Category B auto
- Category B automatic vehicles only.
Category BE
- Vehicles with a trailer up to 3,500kg MAM.
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.
Medium-sized vehicles
Category C1
- Vehicles between 3,500 and 7,500kg MAM (with a trailer up to 750kg).
Category C1E
- C1 category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg.
The combined MAM of both cannot exceed 12,000kg.
Large vehicles
Category C
- Vehicles over 3,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg MAM.
Category CE
- Category C vehicles with a trailer over 750kg.
Minibuses
Category D1
Vehicles with:
- No more than 16 passenger seats
- A maximum length of 8 metres
- A trailer up to 750kg
Category D1E
- D1 category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg MAM.
The combined MAM of both cannot exceed 12,000kg.
Buses
Category D
Any bus with more than 8 passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg MAM.
Category DE
D category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg.
Other categories
- f - Agricultural tractor
- G - Road roller
- H - Tracked vehicles
- k - Mowing machine or pedestrian-controlled vehicle
- l - Electrically-propelled vehicle
- M - Trolley vehicles
- N - Exempt from duty
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.
Van driving courses
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.
C licences
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.
How much does a van driving test cost?
You can drive a standard van (weighing under 3,500kg) once you’ve passed a standard driving test.
- A theory test is £23.
- A driving test is £62 (£75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays).
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 |
What else do I need to know about driving a van?
The same insurance and tax rules apply to driving a van as they do to a car:
- You could get a fine of up to £1,000 and 3 to 6 penalty points for driving without vehicle tax.
- Your van must have an MOT every year. There’s a potential £1,000 fine for driving without a valid MOT.
- You could face an unlimited fine and 6 to 8 penalty points for driving without insurance.
Van speed limits also vary from cars:
- 50mph on single carriageways
- 60mph on dual carriageways
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?
Frequently Asked Questions
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).
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