Recovery trucks sit in a strange grey area of UK transport law: some rules that apply to a normal HGV don’t apply to you, others apply even harder, and getting it wrong can mean an MOT failure, a tacho investigation, or worse. Here’s what you actually need to know.
Which licence is required for a recovery truck?
It comes down to weight. A standard Category B licence covers you up to 3.5 tonnes, but most recovery trucks are heavier than that, so you’ll need a Category C1 or Category C licence instead. C1 covers vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, which is where a lot of smaller recovery trucks sit, while a full Category C licence covers anything heavier.
Check before you assume
If you’re not sure which category your truck falls into, check its plated weight before you assume you’re covered.
Do you need an operator's licence for a recovery truck?
Generally, an operator’s licence is required for commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. Recovery trucks often get an exemption here, but only if they’re being used strictly for what they’re built for: recovering broken-down vehicles. The moment a recovery truck starts doing general haulage work, that exemption disappears and you’re into operator’s licence territory.
It genuinely comes down to how the vehicle is used day to day, so it’s worth reviewing your own operation rather than assuming the exemption automatically applies.
Rules for 3.5t recovery trucks
Running a 3.5t recovery truck comes with its own set of obligations around weight limits, vehicle condition, and how loads are secured. None of this is optional. Get it wrong and you’re not just risking a fine, you’re increasing the chance of something going seriously wrong on the road.
Speed limits
On speed limits, a 3.5t recovery truck follows the same rules as a van: 50mph on single carriageways, 60mph on dual carriageways, and 70mph on motorways.
Don’t assume the national limit always applies
Some local roads and specific conditions can lower these limits further, so check signage rather than defaulting to the standard figures.
When do you need an operator's licence for recovery work?
The exemption we mentioned earlier has limits. If your recovery truck starts being used for anything beyond transporting disabled vehicles, general haulage being the obvious example, you’ll need an operator’s licence. This trips people up more than you’d think, usually because the line between recovery and haulage isn’t always obvious in practice. When in doubt, it’s worth getting proper advice rather than guessing.
![How to Get a Recovery Truck Licence in the UK [2026]](https://eptraining.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/17316-2.jpg)
Can you use a recovery truck for personal jobs?
No, and this one catches drivers out regularly. Recovery trucks are taxed at a special “Revenue Weight” rate specifically because of what they’re used for. Using yours to shift personal property, picking up a new appliance from a shop, moving furniture, whatever it might be, can put you in breach of VED regulations.
Simple test
If you wouldn’t put it through as a legitimate recovery job, don’t put it on the truck.
Are recovery trucks exempt from MOT testing?
Not anymore. Recovery trucks used to be exempt, but that changed in 2018 under The Goods Vehicle (Plating & Testing)(Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2017. A lot of vehicles that used to slip through the net, recovery trucks and mobile cranes included, now need an annual MOT like everything else. If you’re still working off old information here, it’s worth double-checking your vehicle’s current status.
Does a recovery truck need a tachograph?
It depends on how the truck’s being used. If you’re operating within a 100km radius of your base and recovering no more than two disabled vehicles at a time, you’re exempt from Driver’s Hours Regulations. Step outside that radius, though, and you’re straight into full scope, which includes keeping records of work covering the previous 28 calendar days.
And if the recovery vehicle is used for something outside pure recovery, say, returning a repaired car to a customer, that counts as haulage work and full drivers hours rules kick in regardless of distance.
How many hours can a recovery driver work?
If you stay within that 100km radius, you’re exempt from the standard drivers hours rules but you’re still bound by the Transport Act 1968, known as Domestic Hours rules. That means no more than 10 hours of driving in any 24-hour period, and no more than 11 hours of duty time in the same period, with some exemptions applying depending on circumstances. Step outside the radius, or lose your exemption for any other reason, and you’re regulated exactly like a standard HGV driver: 9 hours a day driving, extendable to 10 hours twice a week, capped at 56 hours a week.
Why it matters
These aren’t arbitrary numbers, they exist because tired drivers cause accidents, and recovery work already puts you on the roadside in some of the riskiest conditions out there.
What does a recovery truck cost per mile in the UK?
This varies by operator and vehicle weight, but most UK recovery services charge somewhere between £1.50 and £2.50 per mile, with rates climbing towards £3.50 per mile for heavier vehicles. On top of that, expect a call-out fee, typically £75 to £150 depending on the time of day and how far the truck has to travel to reach the job.
Based on current UK recovery operator pricing, 2026.
If you’re pricing up recovery work as an operator, it’s worth building both figures into your rates rather than just the mileage.
How much does a recovery driver earn in the UK?
Pay varies with experience, location and whether you’re holding an HGV licence.
EP Training pay data, 2026. OTE includes overtime, call-outs and unsocial hours.
If you’re HGV licensed, earnings climb noticeably above standard recovery pay. Self-employed recovery drivers can earn a similar range, though income becomes more variable depending on how many jobs you take on and the rates you’re able to charge.
The bottom line
Recovery work sits in its own regulatory lane, and that’s exactly why it trips people up. The licence you need depends on weight, your operator’s licence obligations depend on how the vehicle’s actually used, and your tacho and hours rules depend on distance and purpose rather than a blanket rule. Get familiar with where your operation sits against each of these, and you’ll avoid the fines, the failed MOTs, and the awkward conversation with an inspector who knows the rules better than you do.
Not sure which category you fall into?
If you need proper training to get licensed for recovery work, EP Training can help you work out exactly what you need.
