This snapshot, taken on
08/04/2010
, shows web content acquired for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search may not work in archived websites and contact details are likely to be out of date.
 
 
The UK Government Web Archive does not use cookies but some may be left in your browser from archived websites.

Website of the UK government

Please note that this website has a UK government accesskeys system.

Public services all in one place

Main menu

Driving motorhomes

Are you thinking of buying or hiring a motorhome (motor caravan) to get to your holiday destination? Or maybe you want to import one from another country. Before you decide you'll need to check the categories on your driving licence and the size of motorhome you are going to drive.

Check your driving licence before you drive

Maximum authorised mass

Total weight of a vehicle plus anything it can carry safely

You'll need to make sure your driving licence has the right vehicle category for you to drive a motorhome.

Category B

With this category on your driving licence you can drive vehicles with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 3500 kilograms, with eight passenger seats, and with a trailer no heavier than 750 kilograms. 

It’s also possible to tow a trailer heavier than 750 kilograms if the MAM of the vehicle and trailer together is no more than 3500 kilograms. The trailer must also be lighter than the vehicle towing it.

To tow a heavier trailer than mentioned above you'll need category B+E.

Category C1

With this category you can drive vehicles with a MAM over 3500 kilograms but less than 7500 kilograms with a trailer no heavier than 750 kilograms. To tow a heavier trailer you'll need category C1+E.

Category C

With this category you can drive vehicles with a MAM over 3500 kilograms with a trailer no heavier than 750 kilograms. To tow a trailer that weighs more than 750 kilograms you'll need category C+E.

The size of the motorhome

A motorhome being registered in the UK cannot be more than 12 metres long and 2.55 metres wide, unless it has an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) certificate. A vehicle with an IVA can have a maximum width of 2.6 metres. There is no height limit but if the motorhome is over 3 metres tall the height must be on a notice visible to you as the driver.

If there is a need for you to measure the vehicle there are some parts that you don't need included in your measurements.

When measuring the length don't include the:

  • driving mirrors
  • rearward projecting buffers made of rubber or other resilient material

When measuring the width don't include the:

  • driving mirrors
  • lamps
  • reflectors
  • distortion in tyres due to loading

Was this information useful?

Thinking about what you have just read, how useful did you find the information?
Thinking about what you have just read, how useful did you find the information?
500 character limit

Why are we asking for this information?

  • We want to hear what you think about the quality and usefulness of our pages
  • Your comments will help us improve our pages
  • They will also help with the future development of Directgov
  • Telling us what you think will help make sure we give you the very best service

Access keys