The Different Sizes & Types of Vans in the UK
Vans are the most common type of commercial vehicles in the UK, representing more than 10% of all vehicles on our roads.
They come in a range of shapes, sizes, and specifications - each to suit a range of different purposes, from transporting commercial goods and materials, to carrying passengers or specialist equipment.
sopp+sopp work with some of the UK’s best-known commercial fleets and insurers to deliver award-winning accident management journeys, encompassing everything from incident reporting to vehicle repair.
Here we explore the different sizes of vans available in the UK, and discuss some of their key features and purposes…
What’s classed as a 'Van’ in the UK?
Cars and vans are taxed and insured differently in the UK.
HMRC defines a ‘van’ as any light vehicle which has been built or adapted for the transportation of goods or materials, rather than passengers, and has a fully-laden (gross) weight of less than 3.5 tonnes.
However, this definition can vary depending on the day-to-day purpose of the vehicle, and its passenger capacity.
If a vehicle has less than one tonne of remaining load capacity after passengers have been accounted for, it could be classed as a car or ‘Passenger Carrying Vehicle’, depending on its size.
Small Vans
Car-Derived Vans
HMRC defines a ‘car-derived van’ as a passenger vehicle which has been adapted or converted to prioritise the transportation of goods or materials.
They’re some of the most compact commercial vehicles on the market; a popular choice among traders, couriers, and fleets transporting smaller goods or equipment.
As the name suggests, they’re usually based on the same chassis as passenger hatchbacks, providing a familiar driving experience, and impressive fuel economy. This also means they weigh less than other LCVs - they’re usually designed with a payload capacity of under two tonnes.
Small Panel Vans
Small panel vans are one of the most common types of Light Commercial Vehicles. They’re similar in size to car-derived vans, but they’re purpose-built for transporting goods, giving them a higher load capacity, and more cargo space.
They have a fixed cab at the front, and a spacious cargo area to the rear, usually accessed via rear ‘barn doors’.
They’re a popular choice for traders and couriers transporting small to medium goods. Their compact design makes them relatively lightweight, easy to drive, and fuel efficient.
Small Combi Vans
Small combi vans are essentially panel vans which have been adapted to transport more passengers. They usually have an additional row of seats, and extra windows replacing the side panels, allowing them to comfortably seat up to eight people.
They’re a popular choice for commercial transport, like minicabs, or even for personal use as people carriers.
However, their increased practicality also makes them popular amongst traders. You get all the benefit of a car/people carrier, plus the additional storage space provided by the panel body.
Are combi vans classed as cars?
Combi vans can sometimes be classed as cars, rather than commercial vehicles. It depends on the primary purpose for which the vehicle is being used, and its remaining load capacity after additional seats are accounted for.
If the vehicle’s primary purpose is to transport passengers, rather than goods, it could be classed, taxed, and insured as a car. However, this depends highly on the size and specification of the vehicle, and even its make/model.
Medium to Large Vans
Large Panel Vans
Large panel vans provide more cargo space, and a greater payload capacity, making them a popular choice for transporting medium-sized cargo, or large quantities of smaller goods.
They’re usually designed to weigh up to 3.5 tonnes, including any cargo or fuel onboard. The integrated payload area makes them aerodynamic and fuel efficient, providing a familiar experience for non-commercial drivers.
The front cab usually seats three people, but some large panel vans (known as crew cabs) have an additional row of seats, allowing them to transport up to six passengers.
Large Combi Vans & Crew Cabs
Large combi vans are derived from the larger variety of panel vans. They follow the same principle as smaller combis, with two or more rows of seats, and additional windows to the rear.
Just like their smaller counterparts, large combis can sometimes be classed as cars or PCVs, rather than commercial vehicles - depending on their size and purpose. If they have a load capacity of more than one tonne after seats have been added, then they’re usually classed as commercial vehicles for tax purposes.
Crew cabs are similar to combi vans, but they have fewer windows, and a smaller passenger area. The rear seats are closer to the front cab, allowing them to retain a sizeable payload capacity to the rear. For this reason, they’re usually classed purely as commercial vehicles.
Box Vans (Luton Vans)
Box vans, sometimes called ‘Luton’ vans, have a large, independent cargo container attached to the rear of the chassis.
Thanks to their increased load capacity, they’re a more practical solution for transporting large goods, or large quantities of smaller objects - like furniture or supermarket food deliveries. This makes them a popular choice for businesses like commercial couriers and removal companies.
Box vans look like a smaller version of a lorry, and often serve a similar purpose. However, thanks to their decreased weight, they can usually be driven without the need for a HGV licence - as long as they weigh less than 3,500kg.
Pickup & Tipper Vans
Pickup and tipper vans utilise the chassis of large panel vans, with the enclosed payload area replaced with an open-top bed like you’d find on a pickup truck.
Because of their open-top loading bed, they can accommodate cargo of all shapes and sizes - without the limits of an enclosed cargo hold. This makes them a popular choice for traders like builders, or companies transporting construction materials/plant equipment.
On tipper vans, the rear bed can be tilted using a hydraulic mechanism - allowing cargo like refuse and raw materials to be unloaded quickly.
Van-Derived Vehicles
Van-derived vehicles utilise the same chassis and body as panel vans, but are used for purposes other than purely transporting goods and materials. This means they aren’t always classed as commercial vehicles by HMRC - it depends entirely on the purpose for which they’re used.
They include large passenger vehicles like minibuses, as well as specially-adapted vehicles like ambulances and motorhomes (motor-caravans).
Are minibuses classed as vans?
Although minibuses are based on the same chassis, and often the same body as large vans - there are some key differences in their legal status.
The main distinction is passenger capacity. Combi vans and crew cabs usually seat between four and eight people, while minibuses are designed to seat nine to 16 passengers.
Unlike with combis or crew cabs, you’ll need a specialist licence to drive a minibus for commercial purposes. Vans with nine or more seats are classed as ‘Passenger Carrying Vehicles’, and require a more comprehensive PCV licence.
sopp+sopp - Fleet Accident Management Specialists
sopp+sopp work with some of the UK’s best-known fleets to deliver specialist accident management services - encompassing everything from incident reporting to vehicle repair.
We’re specialists in commercial vehicle repair management - our UK-wide repair network can accommodate HGVs and LCVs of all fuel types - including EVs and Hybrids.
Commercial vehicle expertise
Our triage, engineering, and repair processes are tailored to the unique requirements of commercial vehicles, and their onboard cargo/equipment. We consider each vehicle's unique attributes and circumstances from the outset, and ensure this data is used to inform the most appropriate methods of recovery, damage assessment, and repair.
We'll consider everything from the vehicle's make, model, category, and fuel type - to the equipment/cargo it has on board, ensuring we deliver a right-first-time repair journey, no matter the complexities involved.
FNOL & eNOL Incident Reporting
We’re committed to delivering swift, accurate incident reporting for fleets of all sizes and specifications, tailored for the specialist requirements of commercial vehicles.
Our in-house telephone FNOL team are supported by our self-developed technology, including our eNOL incident reporting application - Activate Initiate.
We recognise that quick and qualitative incident reporting is paramount to reducing claims costs, and minimising vehicle downtime. We’re constantly innovating to improve the speed, accuracy, and ease of our clients’ incident reporting processes.
UK-Wide Repair & Recovery Network
Our UK-wide repair network caters for all vehicle types - including cars, vans, and HGVs. Whatever your vehicles’ specifications or fuel types, our repair network has the capacity and expertise to deliver swift, right-first-time repairs.
End-to-End Accident Management
Our in-house claims team handles the accident management process from start to finish, and keeps our clients updated throughout the claims progress. This includes collecting incident reports, engaging third parties, triaging vehicle damage, engineering effective repairs, deploying vehicles, and ensuring they’re repaired swiftly.
Our self-developed bodyshop management system ensures you always know where your vehicles sit within the claims process.
Intelligent Triage & Engineering
Our damage triage and repair engineering processes are supported by our range of intuitive technologies, which help to increase the speed and efficiency of our services.
This includes intelligent triage, which uses tech integrations to identify total loss, and understand vehicles’ repair requirements from photographs provided by the driver.
Our intelligent engineering process ensures that all repairs are completed at best quality, and utilise cost-saving solutions wherever possible. This includes suggesting more effective sources for parts when they’re available - including green and aftermarket, depending on your existing repair policies.
To learn more about sopp+sopp, and our range of technology-driven fleet management solutions, get in touch with our team for a no-obligation call:
