By ROB HULL
A major change to driving licence rules from today now allows millions of motorists to legally take to the wheel of larger, heavier cars... but there's one significant catch.
An updated weight restriction for category B driving licences - which are by far the most common type held by tens of millions of motorists in the UK - has been introduced by the Government on 10 June.
It allows these licence holders to get behind the wheel of vehicles with a heavier maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 4,250kg, having previously been limited to 3,500kg.
However, the new rules apply to electric vehicles only.
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) confirms that the higher weight classification for category B licences applies for 'zero-emission cars' - meaning EVs and hydrogen-powered models only, though there are currently fewer than 300 hydrogen fuel cell cars registered in Britain today.
For petrol, diesel and hybrid cars, the 3.5-tonne MAM restriction remains.
A major change to driving licence rules from today now allows millions of motorists to legally take to the wheel of larger, heavier cars... but only if they are electric
The 750kg additional allowance specifically for EVs from today has been implemented to help shield motorists from needing to pass another driving test to legally take to the wheel of a battery-powered family car.
This is because the latest hulking electric SUVs - which are laden with weighty battery packs to deliver long ranges on a full charge - are now teetering dangerously close to the previous MAM restriction.
MAM refers to the total weight of a vehicle with a maximum load onboard, including passengers and a full boot.
Drivers of vehicles of all fuel types with category B licences - of which there are around 35 million in the UK - had been restricted to transporting no more than eight seated occupants (including themselves) up to a total weight of 3,500kg.
However, some of the biggest EVs on sale today have unladen 'kerb weights' of almost 3 tonnes.
With the addition of passengers and luggage, it means some drivers already had been unwittingly close to exceeding the maximum limit for a category B licence.
Without changes to the rules and an additional 750kg allowance, drivers of these cars would need to gain a 'C1' licence in order to legally use it.
A C1 licence is for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) and requires a unique theory and practical test to prove a driver is capable of operating lorry-sized vehicles up to a weight of 7,500kg.
However, this isn't the case for older motorists - notably those who passed their test over 28 years ago.
Anyone who attained their licence before January 1997 have automatic rights - known as 'grandfather rights' - to drive vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes. This is because they were granted the C1 entitlement when they originally sat their driving tests.
It means any category B licence holder younger than 45 at the wheel of one of the largest and heaviest EVs would have been susceptible to breaching the previous 3.5-tonne weight limit.
Some electric SUVs already on sale were already breaching - or dangerously close to exceeding - the previous category B licence MAM threshold. The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV (pictured) has a maximum laden weight of 3.5 tonnes
Volvo's new seven-seat EX90 has a quoted kerb weight of 2,780kg for its £90,000 'Twin-Motor' specification. The maximum laden weight is 3,390kg - just 110kg below the previous EV weight limit for full licence holders
Also nudging close to the previous 3.5-tonne limit is BMW's £110,000 XM, with a 2,795kg kerb weight and max weight of 3,300kg
Kia's £65,000 EV9, which has a kerb weight of 2,664kg and a maximum load weight 3,240kg
There are a number of large electric SUVs that were teetering incredibly close to the former 3.5-tonne category B licence weight restriction.
Mercedes' range-topping electric EQS SUV - which costs from £130k - has a kerb weight of up 3,081kg, without taking into account the extra bulk of up to seven seated passengers as well as their luggage. Its maximum laden weight is 3,410kg, which was 90kg shy of the previous category B threshold. The premium Maybach version had a max laden weight of 3,500kg.
Volvo's new seven-seat EX90 has a quoted kerb weight of 2,780kg for its £90,000 'Twin-Motor' specification. The maximum laden weight is 3,390kg - just 110kg below the previous EV weight limit for full licence holders.
Also nudging close to the previous 3.5-tonne limit is BMW's £110,000 XM, with a 2,795kg kerb weight and max weight of 3,300kg, Kia's £65,000 EV9, which has a kerb weight of 2,664kg and a maximum load weight 3,240kg.
But there are already some battery vehicles on UK roads that are well over both the old and new category B licence weight thresholds for EVs.
The Hummer EV, which is not an official UK model but can be imported from the US by specialist London dealerships, has a kerb weight in excess of 4.1 tonnes, meaning it already breached the previous category B weight restriction and likely exceeds the new one too
How does the Hummer EV compare to other cars on Britain's roads? It will eclipse and Range Rover and even a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, both of which are extremely large SUVs
Tesla's Cybertruck, which is banned in the UK due to failing to meet required safety standards, also has a maximum laden weight in excess of 4 tonnes, which exceeded the previous cat B licence restriction
The £320k electric GMC Hummer, which is not officially sold in Britain but can imported on request by specialist London car retailers, rings in at a staggering 4,103kg unladen. With passengers and luggage, it would ultimately breach the new category B MAM restriction.
Tesla's Cybertruck, which is banned in the UK due to failing to meet required safety standards, also has a maximum laden weight in excess of 4 tonnes.
Despite the new MAM rule change for electric vehicles, drivers do not need to request an updated version of their photocard licence.
The entitlement will be applied automatically and recognised without a new card being issued, OZEV says.
Despite the new MAM rule change for electric vehicles, drivers do not need to request an updated version of their photocard licence
However, motorists are encouraged to check their driving licence information online to understand exactly what they are now allowed to drive.
The new rules also provides greater flexibility for towing.
Drivers will be allowed to tow a trailer as long as the combined MAM of the vehicle and trailer does not exceed 7,000kg.
For instance, if the vehicle weighs 4,250kg, the trailer must be no more than 2,750kg.
These adjustments are particularly beneficial for tradespeople and those transporting goods or equipment who might be considering switching to EVs, which come with huge business tax benefits.
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