Motorhome driving license: What applies now and what new rules the EU is planning

Whether it's a trip along the coast, a spontaneous trip to the mountains, or a road trip across Europe – motorhome travel is booming. But anyone who wants to get behind the wheel of a motorhome needs to know exactly what kind of driving license they need.

With a planned reform of the EU driving license directive, there could soon be exciting changes. What's currently in effect, what's set to change, and what you need to be aware of at home and abroad – here's an overview for all camper fans.

The classic Class B driver's license currently allows driving motorhomes or caravans with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tons. This refers to the unladen weight of the vehicle including the maximum payload. However, travelers quickly reach their limits with many modern motorhomes or caravans – especially when adding equipment and heavy luggage such as e-bikes and the like.

The solution would be a larger motorhome, because overloading makes driving dangerous and can result in hefty fines. This can be particularly expensive abroad. However, anyone wanting to drive a heavy vehicle weighing up to 7.5 tons currently needs the old Class 3 license (pre-1999) or a Class C license. For motorhomes weighing over 7.5 tons , even Class C for trucks or the old Class 2 license is required.

The reform of the EU directive could remedy this.

The new EU driving license directive could provide more flexibility for camping fans from 2029.

Source: IMAGO/Pond5 Images

The EU plans to modernize driving license regulations: A key point is a new rule for motorhomes, which will then be allowed to be driven with a Class B driving license up to 4.25 tons. This expansion would allow travelers to drive larger and better-equipped motorhomes – without the additional C1 driving license, which is also more expensive.

Sounds good – but there's a catch! The planned simplification of the driving license requirements isn't entirely without conditions. As the Caravaning Industry Association (CIVD) emphasizes, holders of a Class B driving license will be allowed to drive motorhomes up to 4.25 tons in the future – but only if they first complete special training or pass an additional test.

Whether training, a test, or both is required is decided by each EU member state. However, there is an exception for vehicles with alternative drive systems (e.g., electric vehicles): In these cases, the additional test is not required if the driver has held a B driving license for at least two years, summarizes the CIVD.

An important restriction currently applies to holders of a class B driving license: the combination of motorhome and trailer may not currently weigh more than 3,500 kilograms .

The new EU driving license directive is changing this regulation: In the future, a maximum permissible total weight of 5.0 tons is planned – that is, 4.25 tons for the towing vehicle and 750 kilograms for the trailer. This adjustment would give many camper enthusiasts more flexibility when packing and planning – provided they meet the new requirements. Anyone wishing to tow a heavier trailer will also need a suitable trailer driving license – such as Class C1E.

The change also affects passenger vehicles with up to eight seats plus a driver, provided they have an alternative drive system and weigh no more than 4,250 kilograms, according to the magazine "Camping.info." If this is the case, they will also be allowed to tow a trailer weighing up to 750 kilograms. This also results in a permissible total weight of 5.0 tons. However, this only applies if you have held a category B driver's license for at least two years.

For conventional petrol or diesel cars, the limit remains at 3,500 kilograms of permissible total weight – there is no change!

The planned EU reform will relax the weight limit for B driving licenses – under certain conditions.

Source: IMAGO/Depositphotos

A little patience is still needed – but it's coming: the new EU Driving Licence Directive. The EU Commission had already presented its proposal in spring 2023. On May 14, 2025, the European Parliament's Transport Committee also gave the green light to the so-called fourth EU Driving Licence Directive.

But before the new rules actually apply, there's still a bit of bureaucracy to be navigated: The countdown only begins once the EU Parliament officially approves the directive and it enters into force. Member states then have four years to transpose the requirements into national law. In Germany, the CIVD (German Motor Vehicle Insurance Association) estimates it could take until 2029. Those who don't want to wait that long should consider getting a C1 driver's license. This allows them to drive vehicles up to 7.5 tons – ideal for larger motorhomes or heavily loaded campervans.

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Even if the B driver's license will allow driving motorhomes up to 4.25 tons in the future, the current traffic and toll regulations will remain unchanged. Anyone driving a four-ton motorhome must continue to comply with the truck overtaking ban and the 100 km/h speed limit on motorways, according to Promobil, for example.

Travelers who want to rent a campervan abroad should carefully consider the vehicle category: The vehicle must match their driver's license class. If the driver's license is insufficient, it is considered driving without a license—with sometimes drastic consequences, warns the ADAC.

There's a risk of heavy fines, criminal prosecution, and, in serious cases, loss of insurance coverage. Even if the accident wasn't your fault, this can be very expensive. Caution is therefore particularly advised with larger models over 3.5 tons or with trailers – and if in doubt, a quick look at your driver's license or asking the rental company will help.

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