Guidance

Driving an electric or hydrogen-powered vehicle

Published 27 May 2025

Change to driving licence entitlement for zero emission vehicles from 10 June 2025

From 10 June, if you hold a category B driving licence, you can drive an electric or hydrogen-powered vehicle with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 4,250kg. The vehicle must be a zero emission vehicle.

The normal MAM limit for petrol and diesel vehicles with a category B licence is 3,500kg.

This additional weight allowance will apply to vehicle types you can usually drive using a category B licence. These are vehicles designed for carrying up to 8 passengers and include cars, SUVs, vans and small trucks.

If the vehicle has additional specialist equipment to support disabled passengers, it can have a MAM of up to 5,000kg. The extra 750kg must be attributable to the specialist equipment.

You can also drive an electric or hydrogen powered minibus up to 4,250kg MAM (5,000kg if fitted with additional specialist equipment for disabled passengers). You must fulfil additional requirements to drive these vehicles using a category B licence.

Read separate guidance about vehicle weights explained.

Towing a trailer

You will be able to tow a trailer as long as the MAM of the vehicle and trailer combination does not exceed 7,000kg.

For example, if your vehicle has a MAM of 4,250kg, then the MAM of your trailer will be limited to 2,750kg. The MAM of the trailer must never exceed 3,500kg.

If you passed your category B driving test before 1 January 1997, you can drive vehicle and trailer combinations up to 8,250kg.

See the section of this guidance on how to safely tow a trailer.

Driving licence

There will be no change to your photocard driving licence to reflect this additional entitlement.

Read separate guidance about which categories of vehicle you can drive with your licence.

Driving the vehicle

The normal MAM limit for petrol and diesel vehicles with a category B licence is 3,500kg.

Zero emission vehicles are constructed to the same high standards as any other road vehicle. But they can handle differently to petrol and diesel vehicles.

Before you drive your zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) on a public road, you should:

• make sure you are familiar with using your vehicle controls
• practise driving it in a safe, controlled environment
• ensure you are familiar with the Highway Code

Greater stopping distance

Because these vehicles can be heavier than their petrol and diesel equivalents, they may have a greater stopping distance. Although this could be reduced by regenerative braking.

Powerful regenerative braking

Many ZEVs have regenerative braking, which means that kinetic energy from the vehicle is used to recharge the battery during deceleration and braking.

This means that when you ease off the accelerator, the vehicle begins to brake.

You should turn off regenerative braking when driving on roads that are busy or fast, particularly motorways.

Rapid acceleration

ZEVs accelerate faster than many of their petrol and diesel equivalents.

You should practise driving in a controlled environment to become familiar with this difference.

Silent operation

Electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can be quieter than petrol and diesel vehicles. That means that pedestrians may be less aware of your presence. You should take extra care when driving in areas where there are pedestrians. 

Most ZEVs are fitted with technologies that support hazard awareness, such as sensors and cameras. Electric and hybrid vehicles are required by law to produce a minimum level of noise when travelling below 12 miles per hour or reversing.

You can refresh your skills using the hazard perception test on the Safe Driving for Life website.

Lower centre of gravity

ZEVs tend to have a lower centre of gravity, which can make vehicles feel lighter than they are. You should be constantly mindful that you are driving a heavier vehicle.

Securing loads on goods vehicles

Many of the vehicles covered by this guidance are likely to be goods vans.

When you transport goods in any vehicle, you need to make sure they are loaded, transported and unloaded safely.

Read separate GOV.UK guidance about securing loads.

Towing safely

Every time before you tow a trailer, it is essential that you perform checks to ensure the safety of all road users. These checks should include: 

• tow ball and connections 
• wheels and tyres 
• lights and indicators 
• load

When driving, you should understand how to safely manoeuvre the vehicle and trailer.

If the trailer starts to snake or swerve, ease off the accelerator and reduce your speed gently.

Do not brake harshly on a bend, as it makes the trailer unstable.

Reduce your speed in plenty of time when approaching any hazard.

You must not drive in the right-hand lane of a motorway with 3 or more lanes.

Read separate guidance on how to safely tow a trailer.

Serious impacts

If your vehicle is involved in a serious impact, you should turn off the engine and contact the emergency services.

You should inform emergency services if the vehicle is electric-powered.

Make sure you know how to use the high-voltage battery ‘cut-off’ in your electric vehicle.

You should locate this and understand how to use it using your vehicle handbook before you begin driving.

Refuelling a hydrogen vehicle

There are some differences between refuelling a hydrogen vehicle and a petrol or diesel vehicle. The main differences are:

• the tank is highly pressurised
• refuelling requires a different type of fuel delivery nozzle

Hydrogen is highly flammable - it can be ignited by a spark or a flame and can cause cryogenic burns.

You should wear protective gloves when refuelling.

To refuel the vehicle, you should do the following.

1. Park in a suitable position to refuel and make sure the vehicle cannot roll away.

2. Make sure the engine is switched off.

3. Make sure the fuel delivery nozzle is securely connected.

4. Press the start button to begin the fuelling - observe the fuelling process and press the stop button if you suspect a fault.

5. Once the fuelling process has finished, remove the fuel delivery nozzle, return it to the pump, and replace the fuel tank cap/cover.

Driver training

You can find providers of specialist training for driving 3,500 to 4,250kg zero emission goods vehicles on these websites:

• the National Register of LGV Instructors
• the National Vocational Driving Instructors Register