Extension of driving licences to 4.25 tonnes for motorhomes gets one step closer

[Mark McG]

Extension of driving licences to 4.25 tonnes for motorhomes gets one step closer - Aboutcamp BtoB

Further progress has been made towards an extension of the B driving licence to 4.25 tonnes for motor caravans by the European Parliament. In […]

www.aboutcampbtob.eu

In its first reading on the reform of the Driving Licence Directive, the European Parliament approved an extension of the B driving licence to 4.25 tonnes for motor caravans.

Following the Council in December 2023, the second EU institution has thus also given the green light for the driving licence amendment the caravanning industry has been calling for.

As part of the planned amendment to the driving licence directive, the European Parliament has approved an extension of the B driving licence to 4.25 tonnes for motor caravans, among others.

The exact framework conditions for the extension of driving licences will be negotiated in the trialogue between the Commission, Council and Parliament after the new elections to the European Parliament (6 to 9 June 2024).

An extension to 4.25 tonnes offers the opportunity to make sustainable and family-friendly travel by motor caravan accessible to millions of people in the future.

The increase in the maximum permissible weight to 4.25 tonnes for the B driving licence is to apply to motor caravans and ambulances, regardless of the type of engine. For other vehicle types, the increase in the gross vehicle weight is linked to the use of an alternative drive.

The European caravanning industry has been campaigning for years through its umbrella association, the European Caravan Federation (ECF), to extend the weight limit of the B driving licence to 4.25 tonnes for all motorhomes. Simple, consumer-friendly regulations are necessary to enable people to enjoy climate-friendly, family-friendly and safe holidays. An increase in the weight limit to 4.25 tonnes, which is open to all technologies, will also serve regional development and contribute to the fulfilment of European sustainability goals

 

[gus-lopez]

Extension of driving licences to 4.25 tonnes for motorhomes gets one step closer - Aboutcamp BtoB

Further progress has been made towards an extension of the B driving licence to 4.25 tonnes for motor caravans by the European Parliament. In […]

www.aboutcampbtob.eu

In its first reading on the reform of the Driving Licence Directive, the European Parliament approved an extension of the B driving licence to 4.25 tonnes for motor caravans.

Following the Council in December 2023, the second EU institution has thus also given the green light for the driving licence amendment the caravanning industry has been calling for.

As part of the planned amendment to the driving licence directive, the European Parliament has approved an extension of the B driving licence to 4.25 tonnes for motor caravans, among others.

The exact framework conditions for the extension of driving licences will be negotiated in the trialogue between the Commission, Council and Parliament after the new elections to the European Parliament (6 to 9 June 2024).

An extension to 4.25 tonnes offers the opportunity to make sustainable and family-friendly travel by motor caravan accessible to millions of people in the future.

The increase in the maximum permissible weight to 4.25 tonnes for the B driving licence is to apply to motor caravans and ambulances, regardless of the type of engine. For other vehicle types, the increase in the gross vehicle weight is linked to the use of an alternative drive.

The European caravanning industry has been campaigning for years through its umbrella association, the European Caravan Federation (ECF), to extend the weight limit of the B driving licence to 4.25 tonnes for all motorhomes. Simple, consumer-friendly regulations are necessary to enable people to enjoy climate-friendly, family-friendly and safe holidays. An increase in the weight limit to 4.25 tonnes, which is open to all technologies, will also serve regional development and contribute to the fulfilment of European sustainability goals

But what has that got to do with you in the UK? it won't affect UK laws? The present increase in Uk to that weight is specifically for electric vehicles & only commercial ones at that.It doesn't apply to ev motorhomes.

 

[Brains]

I suspect 4.25t will not be enough.
They wanted that weight for diesel powered motorhomes.
For the electric ones the weight will need to be 5 or even 6 tonnes.

 

[LithiumConvert]

But what has that got to do with [people] in the UK? it won't affect UK laws?

I unerstand that, but will it enable us (UK) folk with a 4b licence to drive 4.5t in Europe?
even though we can't in the UK

 

[Brains]

But what has that got to do with you in the UK? it won't affect UK laws? The present increase in Uk to that weight is specifically for electric vehicles & only commercial ones at that.It doesn't apply to ev motorhomes.

True.

We could end up with the silly situation where we fall out of harmony with the mainland.
So that on this island and the top third of the island next door you are limited to 3.5t,
whilst on the mainland and the bottom two thirds of the island next door, the limit is 4.25t

Imagine the problems that could cause with a motorhome from Dublin driving to Calais (or vice versa).

This problem extends to a number of other rules as well.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Mark McG]

But what has that got to do with you in the UK? it won't affect UK laws? The present increase in Uk to that weight is specifically for electric vehicles & only commercial ones at that.It doesn't apply to ev motorhomes.

You know how the British government loves to copy/pass EU rules

 

[L' Hobo]

Does this mean that my registered Motor Caravan will suddenly become more attractive to many and I will able to put an extra few thou on the asking price?

 

[LithiumConvert]

I suspect 4.25t will not be enough.

Wow! that is a HUGE increase in payload for current 3500Kg motohomes.
I know many MHs will not be able to go that high, but any increase will be goood.

 

[Soycd]

You would hope that the UK would follow the EU example and do the same. I'm not holding my breath. Begs the question what would happen if say a German came to UK with a 4000kg camper on a B licence?

 

[DT]

Sensible.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[mitzimad]

Wow! that is a HUGE increase in payload for current 3500Kg motohomes.
I know many MHs will not be able to go that high, but any increase will be goood.

not really we used to get 7.5 tonnes when we passed a driving test

 

[Soycd]

not really we used to get 7.5 tonnes when we passed a driving test

I'd say it's a sensible increase. I too have C1 but as said on another post that maybe having loads of recently qualified 17 year olds having access to 7500kg might be a bit more risky than it was back in the day.

 

[gus-lopez]

I unerstand that, but will it enable us (UK) folk with a 4b licence to drive 4.5t in Europe?
even though we can't in the UK

No it wouldn't as A) how would you legally get your mH out of the Uk to europe & B) it has to be legal in the country in which it is registered ,which it wouldn't be at the higher weight

Imagine the problems that could cause with a motorhome from Dublin driving to Calais (or vice versa).

It wouldn't be as the driver would be an EU citizen legally passing through the Uk

Begs the question what would happen if say a German came to UK with a 4000kg camper on a B licence?

as above .Legal in Germany/Europe means all good in the UK under Vienna convention

 

[Soycd]

as above .Legal in Germany/Europe means all good in the UK under Vienna convention

Would it work the other way around though? Hmm ignore silly question by me!

 

[DerryW]

If you have an Irish passport that would count surely.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pappajohn]

I unerstand that, but will it enable us (UK) folk with a 4b licence to drive 4.5t in Europe?
even though we can't in the UK

So how do you plan on getting your 4.25t van to Europe as you can't drive it here, only in the EU.

 

[97243]

You would hope that the UK would follow the EU example and do the same. I'm not holding my breath. Begs the question what would happen if say a German came to UK with a 4000kg camper on a B licence?

For me with my new French B licence this would be great news as I could up plate our MH, but as you say, what are the implications of crossing the Channel back to the UK?

Answering my own question, probably the same as UK drivers with grandfather - C1's being allowed to drive >3500 on the Continent.

 

[herald_400rl]

If this happens, which I support, I'd up-plate immediately to 3850Kg.

 

[cruiser]

The driving laws are mad. my son can drive a double decker bus and 40ft coach with passengers . but cant drive a 7.5 ton motorhome.

 

[WESTY66]

I’d be a lot more happier if they raised the vignette level to 4.25 tons in the EU instead of faffing around with a box from each and every country, not that I have, but it would be nice to use the motorway now and again in Austria and Slovenia! Instead I’m aiming for 3.5t on the next van regardless of the (potential) licence increase purely for the above reasons
At least I’ll be legal next time I chase Coastal Cruiser. on the motorway through Austria

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[L' Hobo]

The driving laws are mad. my son can drive a double decker bus and 40ft coach with passengers . but cant drive a 7.5 ton motorhome.

As the ULW of a Double Deckers is 12 tons, it would surprise me IF he cannot?

 

[L' Hobo]

I’d be a lot more happier if they raised the vignette level to 4.25 tons in the EU instead of faffing around with a box from each and every country, not that I have, but it would be nice to use the motorway now and again in Austria and Slovenia! Instead I’m aiming for 3.5t on the next van regardless of the (potential) licence increase purely for the above reasons
At least I’ll be legal next time I chase Coastal Cruiser. on the motorway through Austria

Freedom is one of the reasons I suspended my full HGV & PSV licences and bought a 3.5t PVC MURVI Morello when I retired.
I could not be bothered with all the hassle of medicals etc.
I had worked hard all my life, stressed about drivers, deadlines, finance and people.
Now it was my turn to relax!

 

[Lenny HB]

Hopefully the UK will follow suit like they do with a lot of motoring laws.
The current situation is due to us falling in line with them.

 

[stevewagner]

I’ve always understood that the country you visit respects the driving license and vehicle registration laws from the country you are from.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

At least I’ll be legal next time I chase @Coastal Cruiser. on the motorway through Austria

I’m always one step ahead of you that’s the advantage of me having a 3.5t van I can go where others won’t

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[LithiumConvert]

So how do you plan on getting your 4.25t van to Europe as you can't drive it here, only in the EU.

Painfully obvious really. Someone else drives it to the ferry.

And then I can share the driving once in France.

 

[LithiumConvert]

No it wouldn't as A) how would you legally get your mH out of the Uk to europe & B) it has to be legal in the country in which it is registered ,which it wouldn't be at the higher weight

A. As last post.

B. Why would it not be legal if up plated to a higher weight.
We had to down plate this MH to 3.5t so I could drive it

 

[L' Hobo]

I’ve always understood that the country you visit respects the driving license and vehicle registration laws from the country you are from.

As long as the vehicle is legally on the road in that country!

 

[TheBig1]

Let's face it, it would be common sense to at the same time bring in a taxation class of motorcaravan that also levels the playing field of vehicle excise duty for HGV motorhomes being half that of a panel van conversion. More money in the taxation pot and much simpler to maintain than the private light and heavy goods

 

[Mark McG]

More money in the taxation pot and much simpler to maintain than the private light and heavy goods

My thoughts exactly. If they figure out they can raise more revenue from road tax then it’s going to happen

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}