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Four new driving licence rules in June for millions of motorists in EnglandDrivers, road users and motorists face a rule shake-up from the middle of next month, as the sixth month of the
year brings with it a raft of changes.MotoringJames Rodger Content Editor08:52, 30 May 2025Four new driving licence rules in June for millions of motorists in England Millions of UK drivers
are set for rule changes from June 10. Drivers, road users and motorists face a rule shake-up from the middle of next month, as the sixth month of the year brings with it a raft of changes.
The government has announced a "change to driving licence entitlement for zero emission vehicles from 10 June 2025". There will be no change to your photocard driving licence to reflect this
additional entitlement.
Because these vehicles can be heavier than their petrol and diesel equivalents, they may have a greater stopping distance. Although this could be reduced by regenerative braking, the
Labour Party government has advised.
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Many ZEVs have regenerative braking, which means that kinetic energy from the vehicle is used to recharge the battery during deceleration and braking. This means that when you ease off the
accelerator, the vehicle begins to brake.
You should turn off regenerative braking when driving on roads that are busy or fast, particularly motorways.
Article continues belowElectric or hydrogen-powered vehicles From on Tuesday, June 10, anyone with a Category B driving licence - the most common type of licence - can drive an electric or
hydrogen-powered vehicle with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 4,250kg.
Government stipulations add that the vehicle "must be a zero emission vehicle". This additional weight allowance will apply to vehicle types which can usually be driven using a category B
licence and includes vehicles carrying up to eight passengers.
Petrol and diesel vehicles The normal MAM limit for petrol and diesel vehicles with a category B licence is 3,500kg. However, if you passed your test before 1997 and hold a Category B
licence you're "usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM)".
Disabled passengers You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM. Of the new rules, guidance found on Gov.uk adds: "If the vehicle has additional specialist
equipment to support disabled passengers, it can have a MAM of up to 5,000kg.
"The extra 750kg must be attributable to the specialist equipment. You can also drive an electric or hydrogen powered minibus up to 4,250kg MAM (5,000kg if fitted with additional specialist
equipment for disabled passengers).
Trailers "You will be able to tow a trailer as long as the MAM of the vehicle and trailer combination does not exceed 7,000kg. For example, if your vehicle has a MAM of 4,250kg, then the MAM
of your trailer will be limited to 2,750kg," the guidance adds.
Article continues below "The MAM of the trailer must never exceed 3,500kg. If you passed your category B driving test before 1 January 1997, you can drive vehicle and trailer combinations up
to 8,250kg."