Younger van drivers are being urged to make sure they don’t overload their vehicles and make their driving licence invalid.

Experts from LeaseVan.co.uk say many younger van drivers may not be aware that their driving licence limits them to driving vans which weigh less then 3,500kg when fully loaded - including the weight of the driver themselves.

The rule only applies to motorists who passed their driving tests after 1 January, 1997 and if they plan to exceed this weight they need to take an additional driving test.

If a driver was involved in a road accident and his van was found to be over the weight threshold he would not be qualified to drive it and therefore his or her insurance would be invalid.