With the move away from the internal combustion engine (ICE) towards electric cars, vans and minibuses, many people are wondering can I drive an electric minibus? This is largely down to the increased weight of the vehicle, which affects the size of the minibus that can be driven.
If you hold a standard driving licence (Category B) the maximum weight of a vehicle you can drive including up to 8 passengers or other cargo is 3,500kg. So for example, a nine-seater minibus such as a Ford Tourneo fits the bill perfectly
If you hold a Category D1 licence, which you would have been issued with automatically if you passed your driving test before January 1st 1997, you can carry up to 16 passengers. Plus, if the minibus is fitted with specialist equipment for carrying disabled passengers, the weight limit increases to 4,250kg.
You may also drive 17-seater minibus (16 passengers plus driver) if you received your driving licence after January 1st 1997 subject to fulfilling a number of conditions. For more information visit the government website. A word of advice, always make sure you have the right licence and authorisation to drive a commercial vehicle.
The BVRLA has been lobbying the government to upgrade vehicle weight limits which can be driven on a standard driving licence (Category B) due to the fact electric vehicles are substantially heavier than their ICE counterparts. This is to help clarify the question, can I drive an electric minibus?
As a result from June 10th 2025, the standard weight (for zero emissions vehicles only) has been raised to 4,250kg and for vehicles including specialist equipment to carry disabled passengers this increases to 5,000kg. The changes to the legislation are to be found here.
The change in legislation provides increased flexibility for drivers asking the question can I drive an electric minibus? It means a number of vehicles meet the weight criteria to qualify for drivers holding a Category B, D1 or are exempt from Category D1 as per the government criteria.
At Minibus World we have a range electric vehicles which fit the new zero emissions criteria weight increase. As a result we can offer our customers the new Ford E-Transit, new Peugeot E-Boxer, Maxus eDELIVER 9 and Ford E-Tourneo, all of which can be configured to suit your organisations seating requirements.
If you’re not familiar with electric minibuses and their benefits please visit our website page for more information.
The change to vehicle weights from June 10th 2025 makes the question, can I drive an electric minibus much easier to answer now. By increasing the weight limit the government has opened up new opportunities for organisations to consider an electric minibus.
If you were looking for more information whether you can drive a diesel minibus, check out our other blog here.
At Minibus World we are here to navigate you through your minibus purchase, having built and supplied thousands since 2007. Get in touch with the team.