Fleet management firm Arval has said recent models of larger pick-up trucks recently arriving in the UK may technically be classed as light commercial vehicles due to their weight.

According to the company, models such as the double cab derivatives of the latest Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Volkswagen Amarok can exceed the legal 2,040kg unladen weight classification for duel-purpose vehicles.

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Arval said it had contacted the Department for Transport about the issue, which had conceded that the classification of some pick-ups may need to change in the future, but that this could require a legal challenge to take place.

The reclassification could have a number of repercussions for drivers of these models. Arval noted this means drivers are legally limited to travel 50mpg on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways. Standard urban 30mpg and 70mph motorways limits remain, however.

Eddie Parket, commercial vehicle consultant at Arval UK described the situation as a ‘grey area’. He added: “Pick-ups sold in the UK have been getting bigger and heavier for several years, driven by demand for increased payload from both fleet and domestic buyers.

“The result of this is that, at least technically, they have become light commercial vehicles in the eyes of the law and should be sticking to the lower speed limits.

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“Confusingly, there is also a possibility that individual examples of the same model might fall either side of the 2,040kg limit because of the fitting of optional equipment such as pick-up tops that are needed for some fleet applications.”