Can I drive a motorhome with my B driving licence? Or tow a caravan? These are questions many drivers have. And questions that are not always answered clearly. We'll provide clarity.
Which driving licence you need to drive a motorhome or a caravan are, of course, two different questions. However, the answers are similar. In both cases, it depends on factors including the weight of the motorhome or caravan.
Camper
In most cases, a camper van is ‘just’ a (passenger) van. And for those, the rule is that you can ‘just’ drive them with your B driving licence. Provided that:
- The motorhome does not weigh more than 3,500 kg;
- The motorhome does not have more than 8 seats (excluding the driver).
A motorhome weighing more than 3,500 kg is legally classified as a lorry. And for that, of course, you need a lorry licence (C/C1).
A motorhome with more than eight seats is legally considered a bus. You may only drive it with a bus driving licence (D/D1).
Caravan
The same rules apply to a caravan as to a trailer or semi-trailer.
With a Category B driving licence, you can tow a caravan weighing:
- maximum 750 kg;
- more than 750 kg, provided that the total weight of the car plus caravan does not exceed 3,500 kg. (Equivalent to the maximum weight of a motorhome that you can drive with a B driving licence.)
By the weight of the caravan, we mean the unladen weight (the weight of the caravan itself) plus the payload.
With a B+ (code 96) driving licence, you can essentially tow any weight of caravan, provided the total weight of the towing vehicle plus the caravan does not exceed 4,250 kg.
With a ‘new’ BE driving licence (obtained after 19 January 2013), you may tow a caravan weighing a maximum of 3,500 kg. Did you obtain your BE driving licence before that date? In principle, there are no limits on the maximum weight of the caravan. Please note that not every car and tow hitch is suitable for towing a heavy caravan!
Have you ever been on holiday in a motorhome or caravan? What were your experiences? Do you have any practical tips for our readers?
