The answer to this question is dependent on a selection of factors. These include your age, your driving licence type, and the maximum authorised mass (MAM) of your campervan.
This quick guide will walk you through the different licence categories and key requirements, helping you determine whether you can hop in and drive on your current driving licence or not.
With decades of experience providing reliable campervan insurance, and a team full of proud campervan owners, we’ve got you covered.
How Do I Know if I Can Drive a Campervan?
The main two factors here are the weight of the campervan, and your age. The answers to these two questions are essentially your first hurdle to overcome.
Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM)
There are multiple ways in which the weight of a vehicle is categorised, such as unladen weight (the weight of the vehicle with no passengers or goods onboard) and maximum authorised mass (MAM). MAM is the measurement that will be most relevant to you, and this is the maximum weight that your vehicle can carry safely when on the road.
The MAM of your campervan should be shown in the vehicle owner’s manual and might be shown on a sticker or plate on your van. Sometimes the MAM is also referred to as the gross vehicle weight (GVW) or permissible maximum weight.
Some examples of maximum authorised masses (depending on vehicle models) are:
● Volkswagen T2 split screen = 1,750kg
● Volkswagen T2 bay window = 2,100kg
● Volkswagen T25 = 2,300 – 2,450kg
● Volkswagen T4 = 2,350 – 2,800kg
● Volkswagen T5 = 2,600 – 3,200kg
● Volkswagen T6 = 2,600 – 3,200kg
● Volkswagen Crafter = 3,000 – 5,000kg
● Mercedes-Benz Sprinter = 3,000 – 5,500kg
What Are the Driving Licence Types and Requirements?
Depending on when you got your licence and what vehicles you’ve qualified to drive, there are a variety of driving licence categories that outline which vehicles you can legally drive. Each of these categories has a specific 1-3 letter and number code and the categories you will be interested in for driving your campervan are for cars (category B) and for
medium-sized/large vehicles (category C/C1).
Category C/C1 vehicles require a different test to the standard driving test in order for you to be legally permitted to drive them. Category C1 allows you to drive vehicles with a maximum authorised mass between 3,500kg and 7,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg. This range should cover you for the majority of campervans. However, if your campervan does have a MAM larger than this, a category C qualification allows you to drive vehicles over 3,500kg with a trailer of up to 750kg.
If you passed your test before 1st January 1997, then you can drive a Category B vehicle (smaller campervans and cars) and trailer combination of up to 8,250 kg MAM. You’ll also automatically have Category C1 (vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg MAM) on your licence. This will cover you for pretty much every campervan or motorhome commonly available on UK roads, aside from the American RV style motorhomes.
However, if you passed your test on or after the 1st January 1997, then you’ll be able to drive a Category B vehicle and trailer combination up to 3,500kg MAM. This should cover you for smaller campervans and motorhomes – the heaviest VW T6 currently available is 3,200kg MAM, so you’ll be okay with Volkswagens. However, if you want to drive anything bigger, like a Mercedes Sprinter, you’ll inevitably need to get your Category C1 qualification.
Upgrading Your Licence
In order to apply for a C1 licence you’ll have to be over the age of 18 and already hold a category B licence. You will then be required to take a medical assessment as the medical standards for a C1 licence are higher than for a category B driving licence. This medical test is done by doctors, who will fill in a D4 medical form, and has two parts: a vision assessment and a medical assessment.
Once you have completed this medical assessment you can apply for a provisional licence to get provisional entitlement to drive a larger vehicle. To do this you’ll need to submit a D2 form, which you can order online from the DVLA or collect from a post office. When you have the provisional licence, you can attempt the theory test. This theory test consists of 3 sections: a 100 question multiple-choice test, a 19 clip hazard perception test and a 50 question case study test.
Once you’ve passed your theory test, you can book a practical test. This test has two parts, the first of which is similar to the category B driving test and is a 90-minute test that assesses your safety knowledge and practical driving skills. Like the category B driving test, you can pass with 15 or less minor driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults. The second part of the test is a practical demonstration that shows you can correctly and safely load and unload your van, stop the trafficking of illegal immigrants, assess emergency situations and reduce physical risk to yourself and others. Full information about what it takes to get your C1 licence can be found on the gov.uk website.
So, Can You Drive a Motorhome or Campervan on a Car Licence? Here’s a Quick Summary
Technically, yes you can, as long as the campervan or motorhome is under the MAM weight that your licence allows.
All campers will of course need to be properly covered with insurance, too. And that’s where we come in. We’ve been offering tailored insurance since 1998, and we cover everything from self-built campervans, to cosy motorhomes.
Simply give us a call on 01256 444 546 or get an online quote today!
Head over to our sister company, Just Kampers, to find all the parts and accessories you need to make your camper your own, and keep it in top shape. You’ll get 10% off your orders if you insure with us, too – it’s a win-win.
Looking to insure your Campervan? Give us a call on 01256 674522 and let one of our specialist team discuss your requirements. Or get an online quote today or arrange a call back and let us call you at a convenient time.
