On 5 November 2025, the European Union published the final text of the Fourth Driving Licence Directive (2025/2205/EU). This replaced the Third Driving Licence Directive and updates driving licence rules across EU and EEA countries.

The new Directive includes a range of changes, such as introducing digital driving licences, extending photocard validity from 10 to 15 years, updating driving instruction rules, and making changes to licence categories. One proposed change would increase the maximum weight of vehicles that can be driven on a Category B licence.

In 2015, when the UK was still an EU Member State, countries began negotiating a temporary exemption to support the uptake of low and zero emission vehicles. This allowed Category B licence holders to drive vans weighing up to 4,250kg (instead of 3,500kg), without needing a medical, a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), or to follow drivers’ hours rules. Drivers were required to complete five hours of training.

In June 2025, the UK Government extended these rules through the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025. This change allowed all zero emission vehicles to be driven on a Category B licence, removed the training requirement, and permitted these vehicles to tow a trailer.

Under the Fourth Driving Licence Directive, EU countries will be able to allow Category B licence holders to drive motorhomes (referred to as “motor caravans” in the Directive) weighing up to 4,250kg. This would apply to petrol, diesel, and zero emission vehicles. This reflects the fact that many motorhomes exceed 3,500kg but weigh less than 4,250kg, and that some countries already allow heavier vans to be driven on a Category B licence.

This change would not be automatic. EU Member States must require either at least seven hours of training, a test (which does not have to be a full driving test), or both. Any training or test must cover key safety topics set out in the Directive. There is no requirement for drivers to have held their licence for a minimum number of years before driving a motorhome.

The Department for Transport published its Road Safety Strategy in January 2026. It was not possible to consider alignment with the new EU Directive before the Strategy was published.

The UK is already committed to introducing a digital driving licence. However, other changes in the Directive require careful consideration before decisions are made on whether to adopt them. The Government has not yet assessed the potential merits of changing Category B licence rules for motorhomes.

Any future changes to driving licence law would be subject to public consultation and a full assessment of their impacts.

Department for Transport