Alternatively Fuelled Vehicles - (AFV)
Course Information
In 2018, UK law was changed so that the weight limit for Category B driving licence holders driving alternatively-fuelled vehicles could be increased from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes
The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (the 2018 Regulations) made changes to the law to allow Category B licence holders to drive an alternatively fuelled vehicle that weighs between 3.5 and 4.25 tonnes, provided it is not driven outside of Great Britain, used for the transportation of goods, is not towing a trailer and the driver has completed a minimum of 5 hours training.
This non-statutory guidance sets out more information on these changes to legislation. It sets out details of the training required for drivers to take advantage of the new law. It also describes the system of certification that will allow drivers to prove that they have completed the training.
The guidance should be considered by any employer with employees who drive vehicles such as delivery vans, as well as self-employed people and those using their own vehicle for a work-related journey. It will be particularly valuable to those who operate large goods vehicles and those who are responsible for fleet management of goods vehicles.
Reducing emissions from vans is key to combatting climate change and improving urban air quality. Vans account for a growing share of total UK vehicles, and have both higher utilisation rates and higher emissions than cars. Government is keen to support the low emission light commercial vehicles sector in increasing its access to cleaner alternatives.
Alternatively-fuelled vehicles can have an increased kerb weight compared with their conventionally fuelled counterparts. Licence regulations mean, driving a vehicle with a maximum authorised mass of more than 3.5 tonnes would normally require a Category C1 licence. Therefore, operators of alternatively-fuelled vehicles wanting to remain below this regulatory threshold must either suffer a constrained payload or employ drivers with a category C1 licence. This entails higher staffing costs, and in practice is holding back many fleets from adopting alternatively fuelled vehicles.
The recent changes to legislation should make it easier for organisations to introduce alternatively fuelled vehicles into their fleets.
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What is an alternatively-fuelled vehicle?
For the purposes of this guidance "an alternatively fuelled vehicle" means a motor vehicle powered by:
- electricity, natural gas, biogas or hydrogen; or
- hydrogen and electricity;
Drivers who wish to take advantage of the new legislation must carry out a minimum of 5 hours of training on driving alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFV).
Training may only be provided by members of a government recognised LGV training register. We are an approved National Register of Instructors (NRI) LGV training and exam centre with instructors available for AFV training.
This training can be delivered at your site using your equipment nationwide or remotely. Certificates will be issued by the NRI.
Licence Requirements
- Must be 17 years old
- Must hold a current UK Driving Licence
Who should train? Why should I train?
Dulson Training offer lessons and testing for people learning to drive and who would like to gain certification to drive an AFV Cat B car or panel van using a UK car licence.
Whether you want to learn to drive for work or social reasons, or you have employees who are required to drive AFV vehicles Dulson Training can help drivers get behind the wheel safely and legally.