Can You Drive a Campervan on a Car Licence?

Can You Drive a Campervan on a Car Licence?

If you’re thinking about swapping the daily grind for life on the open road, you might be wondering: can you drive a campervan on a car licence?

The good news is that in many cases, the answer is yes, but there are some important rules you’ll need to know before you hit the road.

The Short Answer…

In the UK, most drivers with a standard Category B car licence can drive a campervan (or motorhome) up to 3,500kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM). If your campervan weighs more than that, you may need a different category on your licence.

Why Weight Matters

The rules are all based on the MAM, that’s the total weight of the vehicle including passengers, fuel, and load.

• Under 3,500kg: You can drive it on your standard Category B car licence.
• Over 3,500kg: You’ll need a Category C1 licence (or higher) to drive legally.

💡 Tip: You can find your campervan’s MAM on the vehicle logbook (V5C) or the manufacturer’s plate, usually on the inside of the vehicle door.

Licence Categories Explained

If your campervan is heavier, here’s what you’ll need:

• Category C1: Allows you to drive vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg.
• Category C: For vehicles over 7,500kg.
  If you passed your test before 1 January 1997, your licence may already include C1 entitlement automatically under grandfather rights, check the back of your photocard to confirm.

Safety Considerations

Even if you can legally drive it, make sure:

• Your insurance covers a campervan of your size and weight.
• You’re confident handling a larger vehicle, if not we do offer a campervan or motorhome familiarisation course for added safety so you feel confident on the road.

Need Training for Larger Campervans?

At 2 Start Training, we offer C1 driver training across our depots in Portsmouth, Southampton, Reading, Worthing, and Theale. Whether you’ve just bought your dream campervan or you’re planning an upgrade, we can help you get qualified and confident behind the wheel.

📍 Find out more about our C1 training courses