Driving licence flexibility for alternatively-fuelled vehicles
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
Government has consulted on changes to driving licence flexibility to support uptake of zero emission vehicles between 3,500kg and 4,250kg.
This outcome provides the responses and government’s proposed changes to legislation, which are to:
- change the types of powertrains eligible for the licence flexibility, from alternatively-fuelled to zero emission vehicles only
- remove the 5-hour training requirement
- expand the legislation to all vehicles eligible to be driven on a standard licence
- allow drivers to use the flexibility to tow a trailer in line with the rules for other vehicles
Feedback received
Detail of feedback received
We received 89 responses to the consultation. Details of the feedback are outlined in the response document.
Original consultation
Consultation description
We are seeking views on potential changes to driving licence flexibility for alternatively-fuelled vans and other vehicles of similar weight.
The current licensing flexibility permits drivers to operate slightly heavier goods vans than the typical weight entitlement, in order to allow for the extra weight of a cleaner power system, for example, vehicles powered by a battery.
We are consulting specifically on the:
- additional training that drivers must complete to gain driving licence flexibility
- types of vehicles that should be eligible
- towing allowance of these vehicles
- powertrains that should be eligible
Documents
Updates to this page
Published 9 August 2022Last updated 10 October 2023 + show all updates
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Final outcome added.
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Summary of public feedback added.
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First published.