If you’re thinking of leasing a van for the first time, there’s a good chance you’ll have a lot of questions. Even more so if you’re new to vans in general. For instance, what license do you need to drive a van? (Quick answer - it all depends on the van you want to drive. But we’ll go into more detail on this later.)
We’ve put this article together to address all these types of questions. The majority of these are to help out beginners, as well as those who have never driven a van before. Get started on your van journey with these answers to common questions about van driving and leasing.
We also have a separate page on DriveSimple FAQs, which addresses specific queries about our van subscription service. These offer a flexible alternative to van leasing, meaning they are a little different (but a whole lot more straightforward) than what else is on the market.
If you have a question that you don’t find answered on either of these pages, please feel free to contact us, and one of our experts will be happy to help.
A bit of background first
More and more vans are hitting the UK roads, with over 5 million van units reported to exist in 2024. And, according to government records, more than 3.6 million vans are used for business purposes. The number of people looking for a van to support their business operations is going up.
And it’s not just a general increase in vans we’re seeing. More people are looking for a good deal on van leases. According to BVRLA’s July 2025 report, there’s been a 16.3% increase in used vehicle leasing. The same report showed a dramatic increase in short-term van leasing, with a 2,617% rise from 2023 to 2024.
So, with more vans being leased for business purposes, there are more first-timers leasing them too. And, as we’ve mentioned above, if you’re new to leasing a van - or even vans in general - you may have lots of questions. They’re certainly quite a bit different to your regular car.
Let’s get started.
New Van Drivers FAQs
Find answers to questions you may have if you have never driven a van before, but are thinking about getting one for your business.
Is driving a van difficult?
When it comes to answering whether driving a van is difficult, it largely depends on how easy it is for you to drive a car. Many report that driving a van is similar, but you just need to practise a little more caution as the vehicle you’re driving is bigger. You may also have to get used to sitting a little higher up in your driver’s seat.
Another factor to consider is how big the van you’re driving is. There’s quite a difference between a transit and an HGV! Like with most things, confidence and safety consciousness are key factors in how easy you find picking up driving a van.
How long does it take to learn how to drive a van?
When learning how to drive a van, the time it takes to pick up varies from person to person, as well as the size of the van you’re driving. Anecdotally, if you picked up driving a car quickly, the likelihood is that you’ll pick up van driving pretty speedily, too.
Do you need special training to learn how to drive a van?
You require training to learn to drive a van if you’re driving a vehicle that requires a Category C license. These are typically larger vehicles (3.5 tonnes) that can’t be driven with a Category B license (this is what you have if you drive a car). There’s more information about different vehicle categories below.
How long can I drive a van for in the UK?
If driving a van for business, you’re legally only allowed to drive a van for a maximum of 10 hours within a 24-hour window. This also includes taking adequate rest breaks after set periods of driving—a great excuse to grab a hot drink and a snack.
Van License FAQs
If you want to drive a van in the UK, are there any legal things you need to get sorted out beforehand? Understandably, getting this right is very important. Answers are below.
Am I legally allowed to drive a van?
As long as you have a valid driving license, you are legally allowed to drive a van up to 3500kg, as well as a zero-emission electric or hydrogen-powered van up to 4,250kg. However, anything bigger and things change. If you passed your driving test after 1997, you’ll need to apply for a higher category license and take a test if you want to drive a van that’s any bigger.
What license is needed for a van?
The license you need for a van all depends on the type of van you want to drive, which in the UK is categorised by weight. We’ve popped a table below that breaks this information down.
- License Type: Category B
- Vans you can drive: Vans up to 3500kg.
- Things to be aware of: This is a standard car license. If you got your license before 1997, you may have category C1 entitlement (these are known as grandfather rights).
- License Type: Category C1
- Vans you can drive: Vans with a maximum weight between 3,500kg and 7,500kg, with a trailer up to 750kg.
- Things to be aware of: You need to apply for this license.
- License Type: Category C
- Vans you can drive: Vans with a maximum weight of over 3,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg.
- Things to be aware of: You need to apply for this license.
To sum up, the heavier the van, the more training and tests you need to do.
Please note that this is a simplified table, and not all license categories available in the UK are included. Think of this as a quick introduction to get you started!
Van Leasing FAQs
If you’re brand new to van leasing (or DriveSimple’s flexible van subscription service), it can initially seem a little daunting. We’ve answered common questions here.
Is it a good idea to lease a van?
Whether it makes sense for your business to lease a van all comes down to the needs of your business. We’ve developed our van subscription service to make getting a van even easier, as old-fashioned van leasing can come with a few drawbacks.
Our model allows you to get a van on your own terms, so you can have a van for as long as you need, without the financial risk associated with traditional leasing. No getting stuck with a van for a painfully long time!
This is great for tradespeople and small businesses who want more flexibility. If you need to scale up your van use or pair it back, it’s all a lot easier with DriveSimple.
How do I get a van for my business?
There are many routes to getting a van for your business, including buying upfront, financing options and leasing. Through DriveSimple, there are also van subscriptions. Which option is best for you all depends on what size van you need, what you require the van for, how you intend to use it, and what sort of budget you’re working with.
If you’re looking for more flexibility, less commitment and faster delivery, we’d suggest a van subscription. You can take a look at our vans and have a go at building your own plan.
Is it best to lease a van if self-employed?
If you’re self-employed, leasing a van or taking a van subscription is often a smart choice to make. Most notably, it requires a lot less capital than buying a van outright, and breaks the cost into manageable fixed payments. And there’s also the option to upgrade to new vehicles sooner, which can be great if you’re expanding your business or need a van with a little more oomph.
However, traditional van leases often require long lock-in periods of at least 24 months, with no exit clause. This can mean that, even though you’re not buying upfront, you’re still tied into a pretty hefty financial commitment.
Our flexible van subscriptions take the pressure off if you’re hesitant about leasing a van. Unlike traditional leasing, there are much lower upfront costs. Which, if you’re self-employed, can make van leasing not as tempting. Plus, contracts start at 6 months, and you can add flexible cancellation options.
Can a sole trader lease a van?
Sole traders can absolutely lease (and get subscriptions) for vans. There are, of course, the usual application requirements, but having sole trader status won’t prevent you from leasing or getting a van subscription. In fact, DriveSimple was created with sole traders in mind!
Thinking about getting a van for your business? We’ve removed the long lock-ins and financial commitment of traditional van leasing, creating a way for you to get a van on your terms. Perfect for self-employed traders and small businesses! Get started by choosing a van here.
