Can I Drive a Pickup Truck on a Car Licence UK?

In the UK, it is possible to drive a pickup truck on a car driving licence, as long as certain conditions are met. A pickup truck is classified as a light goods vehicle (LGV) which has an unladen weight of no more than 3.5 tonnes and can carry up to one tonne of goods in its load bed.

In order to drive a pickup truck on a car licence, the driver must have passed their test before January 1st 1997, and the vehicle must conform to certain criteria. The pickup must have been built for use on roads and not for off-road use such as agricultural or construction sites, and must be fitted with safety equipment such as seatbelts and mirrors. It should also be equipped with an appropriate exhaust system, brakes and lighting system.

If a driver has passed their car driving test after January 1st 1997 then they will be required to hold a category B+E licence in order to legally drive a pickup truck in the UK. This involves taking an additional driving test which covers reversing and manoeuvring larger vehicles in tight spaces such as car parks or loading bays.

Drivers who hold an older style paper licence should ensure that they check what category or classes of vehicle they are allowed to drive before getting behind the wheel of any LGV’s such as pickup trucks. The back of their licence will confirm what categories are permitted and any restrictions that may apply.

For drivers who do not have access to their paper licence or if it is not available due to age or damage, then the DVLA website can provide information about what type of vehicles can be driven with their current driving qualification.

Before taking any vehicle out onto public roads it is important that drivers ensure that they are fully aware of all the laws and regulations pertaining to operating LGV’s such as pickups within the UK. This includes ensuring they have valid insurance cover and that all necessary documents are kept up-to-date such as MOT certificates, road tax payments etc.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it is possible for drivers with a car licence issued before January 1st 1997 to legally drive a pickup truck in the UK provided certain criteria are met including having appropriate safety equipment fitted and ensuring valid insurance cover. Drivers who passed after this date may need an additional category B+E licence depending on their circumstances.

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Karen Watkins