Which vans can I drive with a category B licence?

Under Italian rules, category B lets you drive a van whose maximum authorised mass is no more than 3,500 kg and that carries up to eight passengers besides the driver. Read the authorised mass in the vehicle documents: its empty weight or the load for today does not decide the licence category.

The authorised mass is the key figure

Category B covers motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of up to 3,500 kg, designed for no more than eight passengers besides the driver. The limit concerns the vehicle’s authorised figure, not its weight on a particular trip. A van authorised at 3,600 kg does not fit B just because it is empty.

Maximum authorised mass differs from empty mass, payload and the weight measured on a scale. Those figures answer different questions. A van registered above 3,500 kg may require C1 up to 7,500 kg, or C for higher masses, depending on its configuration. Passenger capacity and any trailer also need separate checks.

Check before hiring or borrowing

Read the registration document and verify the maximum authorised mass, number of seats and trailer data, if relevant. Compare those figures with the category on your licence. Do not infer the mass from the model name, body shape or licence category used for another version: equipment and approvals can differ.

For example, a van authorised at exactly 3,500 kg with one passenger seat besides the driver meets the basic mass and seat limits for B. A similar looking vehicle authorised at 3,800 kg does not, even if hired empty. Some goods vehicles using alternative fuels may qualify for a limited allowance up to 4,250 kg, but only under specific conditions; it does not automatically apply to every electric van.

Study and review category B mass limits with the theory quizzes in Quiz Patente Ufficiale.