Can You Drive a Campervan on a Car Licence?

Thinking of having some adventures in a camper but wondering just what it takes to lease and drive one? We can answer both of those queries. The car experts at Auto Finance Online will break down exactly whether you can drive a campervan on a car licence, below. We’ve rounded up everything you need to know.

Plus, if you’re wondering how to lease one, we’ve got you covered there too! Our campervan finance gives you loads of options on how to lease or even buy your very own camper. 

Why not give our budget calculator a spin to see exactly what your monthly payments could be on your dream camper!

What Kind Of Driving Licence Do You Need To Drive A Campervan?

So – can you drive a campervan on a car licence? The answer is generally yes, you might be able to, but it depends on a few factors. In particular, when you passed your test. 

If you passed your test on or before 1st January 1997, you can drive vehicles up to 8,250 kg in MAM with a category B licence (a standard car driving licence). This covers most campervans. This lasts until age 70, when you need a medical to continue.

What if you passed your test after this?

If you passed your test after 1st January 1997, your category B licence only allows you to drive vehicles up to 3,500 kg MAM.

Exactly What Is MAM?

Maximum Authorised Mass (or MAM) is the maximum amount of weight that your vehicle can carry and safely drive. It’s sometimes known as Gross Vehicle Weight or Max Weight. This includes the weight of the vehicle and everything in it when fully loaded.

When you pack your campervan, you need to be careful not to push the weight of the vehicle plus your goods over the MAM otherwise, it’s unsafe to drive. 

However, manufacturers usually ensure the difference between the vehicle weight and MAM gives you enough leeway to pack all of your essentials safely. This is another reason why campervan and caravan essentials are intentionally designed to be lightweight!

What Is The Maximum MAM You Can Drive Before You Need A C1 Licence?

If you passed your standard driving test after 1st January 1997 you can only drive a campervan with a MAM up to 3,500kg. If you want to drive a camper with a MAM higher than this, you’ll need to take a C1 driving test. This allows you to pull vehicles with an MAM of up to 7,500kg.

How Do You Get A C1 Licence?

The process of getting a C1 licence is a little more lengthy than for a Category B licence for driving a car.

Here’s what you need to do:

• First, you must be at least 18 years old and already have a regular category B driving licence.
• Next, you’ll need to pass a medical assessment. The medical standards for C1 are stricter than for a normal car licence. A doctor will need to fill out a D4 medical form after checking your vision and general health.
• Once you’ve passed your medical, you’ll need to apply for a provisional C1 licence by submitting a D2 form (available online from the DVLA or at your local post office).
• With your provisional C1 in hand, you can take the theory test. This includes multiple-choice questions, hazard perception clips, and case studies – more comprehensive than your standard driving theory test.
• After passing the theory part, you’ll take a 90-minute practical driving test. You can pass with up to 15 minor faults but no serious or dangerous ones.

Most people take professional lessons before the test as it’s quite different from driving a car. 

It sounds like a lot, but if you’re set on driving a larger campervan, it’s worth the investment for all those amazing adventures ahead!

Common Campervan Models With A MAM Under 3,500kg

Nervous that you might need to go through the hassle of applying for a C1 licence to get your hands on your dream campervan? Don’t panic just yet. 

There are plenty of popular Class B campervans that have an MAM below 3,500, meaning you can drive them with a category B driving licence if you passed after 1st January 1997. 

In fact, many manufacturers design with this max weight limit in mind so that you can drive them with a driving standard car licence.

We’ve rounded up some of them here:

You’ll be able to drive away in one of these slightly more compact Class B motorhomes and still have plenty of room for you, the dog and any adventure gear you need.  

Take a look at our full list of the best small campervans for 2025 to get inspired!

How Do I Check A Campervan’s MAM?

MAM is carefully calculated when the campervan is first designed, so the details are readily available in the manufacturer’s handbook and any online listings alongside other related dimensions. You should also be able to find it printed on the VIN plate (usually found in the engine compartment) and the chassis plate. 

Still can’t find it? Reach out to the manufacturer – they’ll have the details at hand.

Is There Anything Else That Might Stop You From Driving A Campervan On A Car Licence?

Age can be a factor. When you reach 70, you’ll need to renew your driving licence every three years. If you passed your test before 1997 and want to keep driving heavier campervans (over 3,500kg), you’ll need to pass a medical assessment each time you renew including an eyesight assessment.

Medical conditions matter too. The DVLA has stricter health requirements for driving larger vehicles. You must tell them about:

• Diabetes requiring insulin
• Epilepsy or seizures
• Heart conditions
• Sleep disorders
• Stroke or mini-stroke
• Significant vision problems
• Conditions affecting your limbs

If you have these conditions, the DVLA will assess your case. You may still be able to drive a campervan on a car licence but on a short-term licence (1-3 years) dependent on a medical examination to renew it. In serious cases, you may be restricted from driving or towing heavy or large vehicles. 

Are These Rules The Same For Caravans?

No, the rules for towing caravans are a bit different. Good news though – they got simpler recently!

If you passed your test before 1st January 1997, you’re all set. You can tow any caravan your car is capable of towing.

If you passed after 1st January 1997, things changed in December 2021. Before then, you had limits on what you could tow. But now, you can tow any caravan up to your car’s maximum towing capacity. No extra tests needed!

Just remember, this new rule only applies in England, Scotland and Wales. If you’re in Northern Ireland, the old rules still apply. There, you can only tow caravans up to 750kg, or heavier ones if your car and caravan together don’t weigh more than 3,500kg.

The main thing to check is your car’s towing capacity – this tells you how heavy a caravan you can safely pull. You’ll find this in your car’s handbook or on the manufacturer’s website.

So for most people in the UK, you’re good to go with just your regular driving licence!

What Is An International Driving Licence?

Planning on going on a round the world trip in your new campervan? There are some places where you’ll need an international driving licence (officially called an International Driving Permit or IDP). You won’t need to do a new driving test, it’s just a case of using your existing licence to apply for an international licence in order to be able to drive in certain countries. You’ll need to carry both in these places.

Where Would I Need One?

You won’t need one for driving in the EU or EEA but you do need one in order to drive a campervan (or even a car) in many countries outside Europe. For example, Thailand, Japan or Brazil. 

As a general rule, always check the specific requirements for the country you’re visiting before you travel. 

How do I apply for one?

Pick up an application for an international driving licence in any Post Office for the cost of £5.50. Just bring your full valid UK driving licence and a passport-sized photo. The whole process takes about 5 minutes and your permit is valid for a year.

Ready To Get Adventuring? We Make It Easy

Ready to hit the open road in your perfect campervan? We’ve got you covered! Regardless of the size of camper you’re after, our campervan finance options make it super simple to buy or lease – whatever suits you best. 

Even if your credit isn’t perfect or you’ve been turned down before, don’t give up. We work with lots of different lenders who might still be able to help you get a great deal.

Get in touch with our friendly team today, and you could be planning your first campervan getaway sooner than you think.