What the change means

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) says zero-emission goods vehicles with a design gross weight (DGW) of 3,501kg to 4,250kg fall into class 7 from 1 June 2026 and require a class 7 MOT. The agency states that their first test is due three years after registration.

The rule applies in England, Scotland and Wales. The notice defines zero-emission vehicles as having no internal combustion engine, or an engine that produces zero grams of CO2 per kilometre. It specifically excludes hybrids, including range extenders that use a petrol, diesel or LPG engine for drive or battery charging.

Check weight and test details

For an owner or fleet operator, the useful first checks are the vehicle’s DGW and whether it meets the notice’s powertrain definition. The change is about design gross weight, not simply the vehicle’s weight when presented for testing.

The notice says the usual test standards apply, with speed-limiter checks and a minimum tyre tread depth of 1.6mm, matching the class 7 requirement described there. It also says a tester should not carry out a test if the vehicle’s presented weight makes testing unsafe. The notice does not list individual stations, so it cannot confirm where a particular vehicle can be tested.