What licence do you need to drive a van for work in the EU?

A standard category B licence covers vans up to 3,500 kg for EU work, and no Driver CPC (Code 95) is required, unlike for trucks. Towing a trailer over 750 kg needs category B96 or BE. From 1 July 2026, these same vans must also meet EU tachograph and driving-time rules on international routes.

Do you need a Driver CPC (Code 95) to drive a van professionally?

No. The Driver CPC, the periodic professional training scheme marked as Code 95 on a licence, applies only to category C (trucks over 3,500 kg) and category D (buses and coaches) drivers. Anyone delivering parcels or goods in a van under 3,500 kg needs only a standard category B car licence, held from the minimum age set by their member state, usually 18. Results that mention Code 95 alongside van driving are often describing truck rules and applying them to vans by mistake. This matters for hiring: a courier firm can put a new employee on the road as soon as they hold a category B licence, with no CPC training required first.

Fleets managing mixed van and truck crews still benefit from tracking licence categories centrally, since a transport management system built for compliance tracking flags expiring documents automatically.

What licence do you need if you tow a trailer with your van?

A category B licence alone covers a van and trailer only when the trailer weighs up to 750 kg, or the combined weight stays under 3,500 kg. Above that, up to 4,250 kg combined, category B96 applies, usually an add-on with no separate test. Beyond 4,250 kg, up to 7,000 kg, category BE applies and does require its own practical test in most EU countries. Delivery businesses running a van with a small trailer should check the combined weight, not just the trailer weight, since a loaded trailer can cross the B96 threshold unnoticed.

Per Your Europe, the European Commission's citizen portal , these licence categories are set at EU level and recognised across all member states.

What changes for van drivers under the July 2026 EU tachograph rules?

From 1 July 2026, light commercial vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes on international hire-or-reward transport must meet EU tachograph and driving-time rules, extending obligations that previously applied mainly to trucks over 3,500 kg. Affected vans need a second-generation smart tachograph, and drivers follow the same daily driving limits and break rules as truck drivers on these routes. This sits apart from the goods vehicle operator's licence, which such businesses have needed since 21 May 2022 under the EU's market access rules for road transport operators . The driver's own category B requirement is unchanged.

The European Transport Safety Council, in its ongoing work on goods vehicle safety , notes that extending CPC-style training to van drivers remains a proposal, not current law. Drivers moving into international van work can check what this means for their role on the careers page .

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive a van for work with just a standard car licence?

Yes. A standard category B car licence is sufficient to drive a van up to 3,500 kg for work anywhere in the EU, with no additional professional qualification required. This applies to delivery, courier, and light haulage work alike, provided the vehicle and any trailer stay within category B weight limits.

Do van drivers need a tachograph?

Generally no. Tachograph rules apply mainly to vehicles over 3,500 kg, so most vans fall outside the requirement, though some member states apply working-time and rest rules to vans on international hire-or-reward routes. A driver assistant app that tracks hours and compliance removes the guesswork for fleets navigating these variations.

What is the difference between B96 and BE licence categories?

B96 is an add-on to a category B licence, usually gained without a separate practical test, covering van-and-trailer combinations up to 4,250 kg total weight. BE is a distinct category requiring its own practical test, covering combinations up to 7,000 kg. Either only becomes relevant once trailer weight pushes the total above 3,500 kg.

Do I need an operator's licence to drive a van for a delivery job?

As an individual driver, no, since the operator's licence is held by the business rather than the person behind the wheel. Companies running vans between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes on international hire-or-reward routes have needed this licence since 21 May 2022, and from 1 July 2026 those same vans also need a fitted tachograph, so drivers should confirm their employer is compliant on both fronts rather than seek a licence personally.

Businesses scaling van-based delivery across EU borders can get a quote for compliance-ready fleet support before the July 2026 tachograph rules take effect.