New consultation over electric van regulations

These include annual vehicle testing, drivers’ hours and tachographs and speed limiter devices.

The main proposals in the consultation are to:

· Transfer the annual testing of zero emission goods vehicles (ZEGVs), with a GVW of 3.5t to 4.25t, from the heavy vehicle testing system to the MOT network, with the tests used for 3t to 3.5t goods vehicles put in place

· Amend annual testing schedules for ZEGVs, with a MAM of 3.5t to 4.25t, so their first test is after three years from first registration (and annually thereafter)

· Remove ZEGVs with a MAM of 3.5t to 4.25t (and when used with a trailer in a combination with a MAM up to 7t) from the requirements for tachograph use, the assimilated drivers’ hours rules (Regulation (EC) 561/2006, as it has effect in the UK) and specific road transport working time rules when used within Great Britain (GB).

To support uptake of electric vans, in 2018 the UK introduced a derogation to driving licence rules, which allowed category B licence holders (the standard car driving licence) to drive alternatively-fuelled goods vans with a maximum authorised weight of 4.25t.

Usually, to drive a vehicle above 3.5t a C or C1 licence would be required. In October 2023, the previous government published a consultation response on additional flexibility for the driving licence derogation. This announced that the derogation would remain in place and further flexibilities would be added, such as: removing the additional five-hour training requirement, expanding the vehicle type beyond goods vehicles and adding a towing allowance.

The consultation period will run until March 3, 2025

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