A new petition on the UK Parliament’s website is gathering support from motorhome owners, prospective buyers, and accessibility advocates who want to change the law on what large motorhomes a standard car licence can legally drive.
What the Petition Says
The petition, started by Gary Martin Cooper, urges the UK Government to allow holders of a UK Category B driving licence to drive motorhomes weighing up to 4,250 kg (4.25 tonnes). Currently, the law only permits Category B licence holders to drive motorhomes with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 3,500 kg.
Signatories argue that:
The existing 3,500 kg limit restricts access to larger, more comfortable motorhomes that many people want to drive.
Many motorhomes slightly over 3.5 t are automatic, making them especially appealing to people with disabilities or reduced mobility.
At the time of writing, thousands of people have signed the petition, which runs until 9 April 2026. If it reaches:
10,000 signatures the Government will be required to respond.
Why 3,500 kg Is the Current UK Limit
Under existing UK rules, a full Category B licence generally allows you to drive a vehicle with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 3,500 kg. Above that — up to 7,500 kg — you would normally need a Category C1 licence (a medium goods vehicle entitlement).
This limit affects many larger motorhomes designed to carry heavier payloads for passengers, equipment, and accessories. Even if a motorhome could be safely driven at a higher limit, the licence restriction stops many from legally driving them without additional testing.
What’s Happening in Europe
Part of the petition’s rationale comes from proposed changes in the EU to driving licence rules, which would allow Class B licence holders to drive motorhomes up to 4,250 kg — provided certain conditions are met (like licence age, training, or testing).
In the EU’s updated Driving Licence Directive, member states will be able to permit this higher limit once they adopt the rules into national law with flexibility on whether additional training or testing is required.
However, since Brexit, the UK is not automatically bound by EU directives, meaning any change here must be made by the UK Government.
What This Would Mean for UK Motorhome Drivers
If the UK were to adopt the change suggested by the petition: Many motorhomes currently inaccessible to Category B drivers could become legal to drive without upgrading to a Category C1 licence. Manufacturers might have greater flexibility in designing motorhomes that offer higher payloads while staying within legal limits for licence holders. It could make motorhome ownership more attractive and accessible especially for disabled drivers and older owners who benefit from automatic transmissions and larger living space.
A Broader Safety Discussion
While proponents focus on access and alignment with EU practice, any change would also come with debate over safety and training requirements. Heavier vehicles can behave differently on roads, particularly for drivers without experience handling larger vehicles something that might factor into government and industry discussions.
Final Thoughts
This petition taps into a real tension in the UK motorhome community: balancing legal access with safety and training, while acknowledging how vehicle design and weights are evolving. Whether the Government responds positively will depend on factors like public support, road safety considerations, and how changes could be implemented in practice.
If you’re interested in supporting the petition or tracking its progress, you can find it on the UK Parliament petitions site and be part of the conversation around the future of motorhome driving rights in the UK.
Help support the change:
If you’d like to back the call for UK licence holders to be allowed to drive motorhomes up to 4,250 kg on a Category B licence, you can sign the official UK Parliament petition here:
