EU allows member states to increase motorhome weight limits

The European Parliament and Council have agreed to changes in licences in the EU that could see Category B drivers able to drive vehicles weighing up to 4250kg, compared with the current limit of 3500kg.

Member states should have four years to ratify the changes, and then Category B licence holders will only be able to start using heavier vehicles if they are “alternatively fuelled”,
provided they have held a licence for two years or more.

Anyone wanting to drive a vehicle running on fossil fuel will still have to take “targeted training or testing”, although what that will consist of is up to the member state.

The UK does not have to follow suit in changing the driving licence for motorhomes, but the NCC, which has lobbied for the change, says the Government has adopted other changes to the Driving Licence Directive. NCC director of communications and external relations Simon McGrath said: “We are in discussions with the Driver Standards Agency to press for an early decision.”

Another important part of staying safe and legal on the road will be knowing about the relevant motorhome weights and making sure you don’t have an overladen ‘van. Follow our guide on how to reduce the weight of your motorhome if you’re in need of some tips on the free things you can do.

Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto

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PeterBaber

Peter Baber is Reviews Editor of both Practical Motorhome and Practical Caravan. He has been reviewing motorhomes for the best part of a decade now. His first caravan reviews date back to the early 1990s when he first worked on Practical Caravan, before he embarked on a 20-year career in business journalism which saw him edit a wide variety of magazines, and launch a few too, including one that won an award. Although he enjoyed that, he always knew he wanted to come back. Peter reports on all the new models that make it to dealer forecourts each season, giving his judgement online and in magazine reviews. He has twice been shortlisted for a Caravan Writers Guild award. When he is not working, apart from going on motorhome trips himself (mostly local to where he lives in West Yorkshire, but also last year right across France) he likes trying to write novels, cooking, throwing the odd pot, and has just taken up tennis.