Can I drive a nine-seat van with a category B licence?

Under Italian rules, category B covers a van approved for nine seats in total: the limit is eight passengers plus the driver, and a maximum authorised mass of 3,500 kg. A vehicle with nine passengers in addition to its driver exceeds the passenger limit for B.

Count passengers as well as the driver

Category B covers motor vehicles designed to carry no more than eight people in addition to the driver. That means nine people on board in total. A van described as “nine-seat” may fit B if that means nine seats altogether and its maximum authorised mass does not exceed 3,500 kg.

Sales listings can use “nine seats” imprecisely. Some may mean nine passengers plus the driver, while the vehicle document records the approved total number of seats. Check the registration document, rather than the advert or the number of seats fitted after a conversion. The vehicle’s approved configuration is what matters.

Check the registration document

Look up the approved number of seats and maximum authorised mass in the vehicle registration document. Both limits apply: nine total seats do not help if the vehicle exceeds 3,500 kg, and a low mass does not allow more passengers than the approved seats. Each person must use an approved seat and restraint.

For example, a van registered for the driver and eight passengers, with a maximum authorised mass of 3,500 kg, fits the basic B limits. A minibus with the driver and nine passengers exceeds the passenger limit even if it is lighter. If the van is used for professional passenger transport, check any separate qualification rules: category B authorises the vehicle class but does not replace every professional credential.

Use the theory quizzes in Quiz Patente Ufficiale to study and review category B passenger and mass limits.