FTA welcomes relaxation of driver licensing for alternatively-fuelled vans

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has welcomed the announcement that UK licence regulations are to be relaxed for drivers of some “alternatively-fuelled” vans.

Currently, drivers with category B (car) licences are permitted to drive vans which weigh up to 3.5 tonnes. However, electric and hybrid vans of a comparable size must carry a large battery pack, making them slightly heavier. However, the UK government has announced that it will seek agreement from the EU for drivers with category B licences to be permitted to drive alternatively-fuelled vans weighing up to 4.25 tonnes.

This follows on from the news that operators of alternatively-fuelled vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes will also be exempt from HGV operator licensing, as long as they only operate domestically.

In a statement issued on 29 March, FTA’s Environment Policy Manager Becki Kite said: “FTA is delighted the government has listened to the logistics industry and taken this positive step to make it easier for transport and freight companies to operate electric vehicles. This will make it cheaper and easier for firms to include alternatively-powered vehicles in their fleets. It is an excellent example of how the government can use regulatory adjustments to help our industry implement more energy-efficient working practices.”

Kite says the change means companies will no longer be penalised for using alternatively-fuelled vehicles.

“The heavier weights of these vehicles mean they have often been inaccessible for van operators who do not have an operator licence or the appropriately trained drivers,” said Kite. “For firms with the appropriate operator licence, the additional regulation still meant extra cost in implementing appropriate compliance policies and recruiting additional drivers. Now they will be able to absorb these vehicles easily into their current working practices.”