What must a motor vehicle not be capable of in order for a driver to accept running costs from passengers?

In the context of accepting running costs from passengers, the correct answer revolves around how the vehicle is classified under legal and insurance frameworks. A motor vehicle must not be capable of carrying more than 8 passengers in order for a driver to accept payment for running costs from those passengers.

This stipulation is important because vehicles that can carry more than 8 passengers often fall under commercial or public transport regulations. These regulations impose different requirements, including licensing and insurance obligations, which typically do not apply to private vehicles. By limiting the capacity to 8 passengers, vehicle owners and drivers can avoid the complexities and additional liabilities associated with commercial transport, hence allowing the acceptance of running costs without necessitating a commercial license or an appropriate public liability insurance policy.

This requirement ensures that drivers who are not operating as commercial transporters can share the costs of the journey without violating regulations designed to protect passengers and uphold safety standards in more heavily regulated transport situations.