What is a dual-purpose vehicle?

A dual-purpose vehicle has a government definition that’s not really too obvious. According to gov.uk, it’s ‘a vehicle constructed or adapted for the carriage both of passengers and of goods and designed to weigh no more than 2,040kg when unladen’.

It’s further stipulated that the vehicle either have four-wheel drive, or a rigid roof and at least one row of rear seats with windows.

But surely all cars, vans and pickups are designed to carry both passengers and goods – that’s what seats and boots are for? Well, it’s not quite as simple as that. Dual-purpose vehicles can take a number of forms, and confusingly different versions of the same model can qualify while others don’t.

In this page we’ll take you through what exactly counts as a dual-purpose vehicle versus a light commercial vehicle, and what it means for you if you drive one or are considering buying one.

What is a dual-purpose vehicle?

Dual-purpose vehicles are basically the hybrid between cars and vans. They are vehicles that have a dedicated cargo area, such as a van or a pickup truck, but are also adapted for passenger use. In practice, this means two different kinds of vehicle qualify for the classification – crew cab panel vans and double-cab pickup trucks.

There are some stipulations, though.

Weight

A dual-purpose vehicle has an unladen weight limit of 2,040kg – just over two tonnes. This is essential to the classification, as vehicles over this weight are subject to lower speed limits.

Some larger vehicles exceed this weight limit, and you might not even be aware of it. For example, with the exception of the Isuzu D-Max, all pickup trucks on sale today weigh over this threshold – which means they’re classified as light commercial vehicles and not dual-purpose vehicles under UK law, and subject to different speed limits. More on that lower down.

Purpose

Dual-purpose vehicles must have a clear focus on both passenger and cargo space. There must be proper rear seats (fixed or folding) with sprung bases, upholstered backrests and proper seatbelts – not to mention windows. A couple of flip-down benches in the dark back of an old Land Rover doesn’t count.

There are also complex rules about the ratio of passenger to cargo space, all designed to make sure that unscrupulous people can’t classify their vehicles as dual-purpose just because they technically have seats.

Structure

A rigid roof is only a requirement if the vehicle has rear seats. Dual-purpose vehicles can also qualify if they have four-wheel drive, at which point the requirement for a rigid roof is dropped. Weird, eh?

In practice you won’t find any vehicles on sale in the UK that satisfy this requirement without also having a fixed roof – otherwise, everything from a tractor to a BMW 440i xDrive Convertible might be in with a shout.

What are the speed limits for dual-purpose vehicles?

This is where it gets sticky and there becomes a clear reason for choosing a dual-purpose vehicle. A properly classified dual-purpose vehicle is subject to the same speed limits as a car. However, if it doesn’t fit the criteria, it’s subject to light commercial vehicle speed limits, or van speed limits, which are lower on single and dual carriageways.

	Light commercial vehicle speed limit	Dual-purpose vehicle speed limit	Car-derived van speed limit
Single carriageway	50mph	60mph	60mph
Dual carriageway	60mph	70mph	70mph
Motorway	70mph	70mph	70mph

Many vehicle owners – particularly pickup drivers – are unaware that their vehicle might be subject to a lower speed limit. In fact, it’s rarely advertised by vehicle manufacturers, and even in trucks fitted with traffic sign recognition it won’t always display the correct speed limit for the vehicle you’re in.

If exceeding the speed limit for a light commercial vehicle but remaining under the limit for a car, it’s unlikely you would set off an automatic speed camera – but you might be pulled over by traffic enforcement officers. If you go past the limit for a regular vehicle, though – for example, doing 80mph on a dual carriageway – and are caught by an automatic camera, you can expect your penalty to account for the fact that, technically, you were 20mph over the speed limit instead of just 10mph.

Is a car-derived van a dual-purpose vehicle?

No – car-derived vans have their own classification to reflect the fact that they are overwhelmingly similar to a passenger vehicle. As a result, they’re subject to the same speed limits as a dual-purpose vehicle or regular passenger car.

Dual-purpose vehicle FAQs

Is a Ford Ranger a dual-purpose vehicle?

Some older versions of the Ford Ranger qualified as dual-purpose vehicles. However, every model in the current Ranger line-up weighs more than 2,040kg, and therefore qualifies as a light commercial vehicle rather than a dual-purpose vehicle.

Does a dual-purpose vehicle need a tachograph?

No, a dual-purpose vehicle does not need a tachograph. Tachographs are required for vehicles over 3,500kg in weight.

The exception would be if the dual-purpose vehicle was towing for commercial purposes – a transport trailer, or plant equipment for example – and the combined mass of the vehicle and trailer was over 3,500kg. When towing for personal purposes, such as a caravan, this rule does not apply.

Where should a dual-purpose vehicle be tested?

Dual-purpose vehicles can be serviced, MOT tested and maintained at the dealer you purchased it from, but they’re small and lightweight enough that really they can be serviced anywhere. No special equipment is required.

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