#2026/119Northern Ireland expands car-licence rules for some zero-emission vehicles
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
The regulations let certain car-licence holders in Northern Ireland drive heavier zero-emission vehicles from 1 August 2026. Drivers with a full category B licence held for at least two years may drive qualifying zero-emission vehicles above the normal 3.5-tonne car-licence limit, up to 4.25 tonnes in some cases and up to 5 tonnes in others, subject to the detailed conditions. The change mainly helps businesses, public bodies and transport operators using electric vans or adapted zero-emission vehicles, where battery weight can push vehicles over standard licence limits. Drivers towing trailers can also use certain zero-emission vehicle and trailer combinations up to 7 tonnes, but only if they have passed the category B+E test. A minimum driving age of 19 applies for affected medium-sized goods vehicles and other relevant vehicles.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Allows experienced category B licence holders to drive certain heavier zero-emission vehicles above the usual 3.5-tonne limit
- Sets weight limits of up to 4.25 tonnes or 5 tonnes depending on the vehicle and equipment involved
- Allows certain zero-emission vehicle and trailer combinations up to 7 tonnes if the driver has passed the B+E test
Obligations
What this law requires
From 1 August 2026, a driver may drive a qualifying zero-emission vehicle above the normal category B mass limit only if they hold a relevant full category B licence and have held it for an aggregate period of at least two years.
A category B licence holder may drive a zero-emission vehicle exceeding 3.5 tonnes only if the vehicle is not a mobile project vehicle and its maximum authorised mass does not exceed 4.25 tonnes after excluding weight attributable to specialised equipment for carrying disabled passengers, and does not exceed 5 tonnes otherwise.
A driver may drive a zero-emission vehicle and trailer combination with maximum authorised mass up to 7 tonnes only where the combination includes a qualifying zero-emission vehicle, the trailer has maximum authorised mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes, and the driver has passed the prescribed category B+E test.
Drivers of qualifying zero-emission vehicles that are medium-sized goods vehicles or other relevant motor vehicles must be at least 19 years old.