Licence restrictions may change to encourage alternative fuel take-up

The Government is developing proposals to allow drivers to operate alternatively-fuelled commercial vehicles which weigh more than currently allowed under their licence restrictions.

As part of its Freight Carbon Review 2017, the Government is developing proposals to change licence restrictions to allow drivers to operate alternatively-fuelled commercial vehicles which weigh more than currently allowed.

The proposals are looking to allow operators of alternatively-fuelled HGVs up to an extra tonne in weight  to account for their heavier drivertrains, while it is also developing proposals to allow Category B driving licence holders to operate alternatively-fuelled vans up to 4,250kg.

The document brings together evidence on the opportunities for and barriers to reducing road freight greenhouse gas emissions.

This is to help meet the government’s long-term target of reducing freight and logistics industry emissions by at least 80% on 1990 levels by 2050.

Other measures identified include working with the Energy Saving Trust to pilot an HGV fleet review scheme advising SME fleet operators on reducing fuel consumption and costs, and supporting the roll-out of the HGV technology accreditation scheme.