Licence Categories

Everything you need to know about the range of driving licence categories, from Car & Trailer licences, through to HGV licences, the information below will help answer all your questions. We go in to detail to explain what the parts on your licence mean, we cover the changes made to the UK driving licence and go on to fully explain the categories available.

Car-and-Trailer-B-and-E

Category B+E

The B+E licence in the UK allows you to tow a trailer or semi-trailer with a maximum weight of 3500kg using a category B vehicle. The total maximum weight of the vehicle and trailer combined is 7 tonnes.

LGV-C1-Ambulance

Category LGV C1

A Category LGV C1 licence is a driving licence category that permits the holder to operate medium-sized commercial vehicles, such as small trucks and lorries in some cases, weighing between 3,500 and 7,500kg maximum authorised mass ( MAM ) (with a trailer up to 750kg).

Category-LGV-C1E

Category C1+E

The C1+E licence in the UK allows you to drive a 7.5 tonne vehicle towing a trailer over 750kgs. If you passed your car test before January 1997, you have a C1+E licence but with restrictions on trailer weight.

Category-PCV-D1

Category PCV D1

The Category D1 licence in the UK allows a person to drive a minibus with 9-16 seats and tow a trailer up to 750kg. In addition to the driver’s seat. This license is typically required for individuals who intend to drive small minibuses, such as community transport or small group transportation.

Category-PCV-D1E

Category PCV D1+E

The PCV D1+E licence in the UK is for minibuses with up to 16 seats and trailers over 750kg. The combined weight of the minibus and trailer must not exceed 12 tonnes, and the trailer must not weigh more than the minibus

Category-LGV-C

Category LGV C

A Category C licence allows individuals to operate medium-sized goods vehicles which have a rigid body type plus the licence holder can drive a rigid vehicle that weighs over 3,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg maximum authorised mass ( MAM ).

Category-LGV-CE

Category LGV C+E

The Category LGV C+E licence in the UK is the highest of the LGV licence classes. It allows drivers to operate the largest and heaviest HGVs and construction equipment now on the road. It is for vehicles with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) in excess of 7.5 tonnes with trailers heavier than 750kg.

From 19 January 2013 driving licences will look different to comply with new EU rules.

Compare old and new driving licence categories

On 19 January 2013 the European Union Third Directive on driving licences came into force. All new driving licences from this date have to meet the terms of the Directive. The changes will mainly affect motorcyclists, lorry, bus and minibus drivers and those who tow trailers.

Your Licence Explained

Example A

Example B

Licence-Example-2

Issued from 15 October 2012 to 18 January 2013

  1. New design showing a full table of categories, pictograms, start and expiry dates and any codes that apply.
  2. Legend contains an explanation of each field’s content.
  3. Overflow of information/restriction codes.

Issued from 19 January 2013 to 5 February 2014

  1. New design showing a full table of categories, pictograms, start and expiry dates and any codes that apply.
  2. Legend contains an explanation of each field’s contents.
  3. Overflow of information/restriction codes.

Example C

Licence Example 3

Issued from 6 February 2014

The expiry date of your licence will be shown on the front in section 4b and the expiry date of your entitlements will be shown on the back of your licence.
The new style licence will look different to the current licence. All vehicle categories will be listed on the back of your licence with dates against those you are entitled to drive or ride. You won’t be entitled to drive any category of vehicle that has lines instead of dates. However, if you have passed a test in a larger vehicle you may still be entitled to drive or ride smaller vehicles of that type which have lines shown instead of dates, eg holders of full category A would be entitled to ride a category A2 vehicle.

Changes to the front of the licence

The following changes will apply to the front of new driving licences:

  • All dates will be shown as DD.MM.YYYY
  • Categories shown will be separated by a slash
  • The date in 4b will show the licence expiry date
Licence Issue Date Example
15 October 2012 and 18 January 2013 A or B
19 January 2013 and 5 February 2014 B
From 6 February 2014 C

Lorry, Bus and Minibus Licence Holders

If you apply to claim your first lorry or bus test pass or renew your driving licence on or after 19 January 2013, the licence issued will be valid for a maximum of 5 years. This affects you if you have passed driving tests for categories C1, C, D1, D, C1E, CE, D1E or DE.

Once you’ve been issued with a 5 year licence you’ll need to renew the licence when it expires – the licence expiry date is shown in 4b. To renew the licence and to renew your lorry and/or bus entitlement you’ll need to fill in the application and medical questions on an ‘Application for a lorry, bus or minibus driving licence’ (D2) or the renewal reminder form which we send you.

If you’ve already passed a driving test in one of the above categories, the new rules will apply when you next renew your driving licence or when you renew your lorry and/or bus entitlement, whichever is earlier.

Your Categories Explained

All licences issued on or after 19 January 2013 will show moped categories as AM and q in place of category p. But if you held full category p before this date you’ll keep this entitlement and it will be shown on your licence together with new categories AM and q.

There are different minimum age restrictions and power outputs for the different categories. If you are an existing tricycle rider you won’t lose the entitlement you currently hold.
Tests for mopeds with 3 or 4 wheels, A1 and A tricycles and sidecar combinations will only be offered to physically disabled drivers or riders.

There are varied minimum age restrictions and power outputs for the different categories. If you are an existing tricycle rider with a full licence, you won’t lose the entitlement you currently hold.
Tests for mopeds with 3 or 4 wheels, A1 and A tricycles and sidecar combinations will only be offered to physically disabled drivers or riders.

If you want to tow a trailer weighing more than 750 kilograms when the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer is more than 3,500 kilograms you will have to pass a further test in category B+E.
You will then be able to tow trailers up to 3,500 kilograms. To pull a heavier trailer you must pass a C1E test.
If you got your driving entitlement before 19 January 2013 you will retain it. There are no further changes to rules on towing trailers.

For further information on towing trailers please see booklet Requirements for towing trailers in Great Britain (INF30)(PDF 488kB).

New categories and category changes from 19 January 2013

Category Description Minimum age Notes
p Moped - Motor vehicles with fewer than 4 wheels with a maximum design speed exceeding 45 kilometres per hour (km/h) but not exceeding 50km/h and which, if propelled by an internal combustion engine, has a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50cc. 16 See note 4
q Moped - Motor vehicles with fewer than 4 wheels which, if propelled by an internal combustion engine, has a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50cc and, if not equipped with pedals by means of which the vehicle is capable of being propelled, has a maximum design speed not exceeding 25km/h. 16 See note 4
AM Moped - 2-wheel vehicles or 3-wheel vehicles with a maximum design speed of over 25km/h and not more than 45km/h. Light quadricycle With an unladen mass of not more than 350kg, not including the mass of the batteries in the case of electric vehicles, whose maximum design speed is over 25km/h and not more than 45km/h. 16
A1 Motorcycles - A motorcycle with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125cc, of a power not exceeding 11kW and with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.1kW per kg. A motor tricycle with a power not exceeding 15kW. 17
A2 A motorcycle of a power not exceeding 35kW, with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.2kW per kg and not derived from a vehicle of more than double its power. 19 See note 5
A A motorcycle of a power exceeding 35kW or with a power to weight ratio exceeding 0.2kW per kg, or A motorcycle of a power not exceeding 35kW with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.2kW per kg and derived from a vehicle of more than double its power. A motor tricycle with a power exceeding 15kW. 24 See note 1 and 5
B1 4 wheeled light vehicles - Motor vehicles with four wheels up to 550kg unladen and invalid carriages. 17
D1 Minibuses - Vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding 8 metres with a trailer up to 750kg. 21 See note 2 and 3
D Buses - Any bus designed and constructed for the carriage of more than 8 passengers in addition to the driver, with a trailer up to 750 kg. 24 See note 2
D1E Minibuses with trailers - Vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding 8 metres with a trailer over 750 kg, provided that the MAM of the combination formed does not exceed 12,000kg. 21 See note 2 and 3
DE Buses with trailers - Any bus designed and constructed for the carriage of more than 8 passengers in addition to the driver, with a trailer over 750 kg. 24 See note 2

Age 24 or 2 years from date of Standard A2 test pass.

Tricycle restriction code 79 (tri).

You can drive at age 17 if you are a member of the armed forces.

You can drive these vehicles at age 18 if one of the following apply:

(i) You are learning to drive or taking a PCV test or Driver CPC initial qualification

(ii) Having passed a PCV driving test and Driver CPC initial qualification, you can drive if you’re:

  • driving on a regular service where the route doesn’t exceed 50km
  • not engaged in the carriage of passengers
  • driving a vehicle of a class included in sub-category D1

(iii) Having passed a PCV test before 10 September 2008 and driving under a bus operator’s licence, or minibus permit, or community bus permit and any of the following conditions:

  • driving on a regular service where the route doesn’t exceed 50km
  • not engaged in the carriage of passengers
  • driving a vehicle of a class included in sub-category D1

You can drive at age 20 after passing a PCV driving test and Driver CPC initial qualification.

For further advice you can contact the Driving Standards Agency by phoning 0300 200 1122.

You can drive at age 21 for categories D and DE if:

  • the vehicle is being used by the fire service or for maintaining public order
  • undergoing road tests for repair or maintenance purposes
  • you were entitled to drive the vehicle before 19 January 2013

If you passed your test for category B or B automatic before 1 January 1997 your licence will already show entitlement to C1, C1E (8.25 tonnes), D1 and D1E (not for hire or reward).

National category only.

You can ride this category of motorcycle at 17 but only when riding for the armed forces.

Licences Issued Between 1976 & 1986

Group Vehicles You Can Drive Category from 2013
A Vehicles up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) carrying no more than 8 passengers plus driver, with trailer up to 750kg; trailer over 750kg if combined vehicle and trailer weight isn’t more than 3,500kg MAM B
A Category B vehicles with trailer when combined weight of vehicle and trailer is over 3,500kg BE
A Vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg carrying no more than 8 passengers plus driver, with trailer up to 750kg C1
A Vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg carrying no more than 8 passengers plus driver with trailer over 750kg, if combined vehicle and trailer weight isn’t more than 8,250kg C1E (with restriction code 107)
A Vehicles with up to 16 passenger seats plus driver, with trailer up to 750kg D1 (with restriction code 101)
A Vehicles with up to 16 passenger seats plus driver, with trailer over 750kg D1E (with restriction codes 101, 111 and 119)
A Vehicles in groups B, C, E, f, k, l and n below See below
B Group A vehicles Above categories (with restriction code 78)
C Any motor trike less than 410kg (500kg laden) B1 (excluding quad bikes)
D Motorbike A1, A2 and A (depending on size of the motorbike)
E Moped up to 50cc (max speed 50km/h) AM, p and Q
J Invalid carriage (powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters) B1 (limited to invalid carriages)

Licences Issued Between January 1997 & 14 October 2012

Category Vehicles You Can Drive Category from 2013
p Moped up to 50cc (max speed 50km/h) AM, p and Q
A1 Motorbikes with engine size up to 125cc, power output up to 11kW and power/weight ratio up to 0.1kW/kg A1
A Motorbikes up to 25kW power output and power weight ratio up to 0.16kW/kg; motorbikes with sidecar and power weight ratio up to 0.16kW/kg; any size motorbike, with or without a sidecar if you’ve completed the large motorbike direct access scheme A
B1 3 or 4-wheeled vehicles up to 400kg unladen or 550kg if intended to carry goods B for 4-wheeled vehicles; A (restricted to trikes)
B Vehicles up to 3,500kg MAM and up to 8 passenger seats with trailer up to 750kg; trailers over 750kg if combined weight of vehicle and trailer isn’t over 3,500kg B
B auto Automatic category B vehicles – you can’t drive manual category B vehicles with this entitlement B (with restriction code 78)
BE Category B vehicles with trailer when combined weight of vehicle and trailer is over 3,500kg BE
C1 Vehicles weighing 3,500 to 7,500kg MAM with trailers up to 750kg C1
C1E Category C1 vehicles with trailers over 750kg; the combined weight of vehicle and trailer can’t be over 12,000kg C1E
C Vehicles over 3,500kg with trailers up to 750kg C
CE Vehicles over 3,500kg with trailer over 750kg CE
D1 Vehicles with up to 16 passenger seats plus driver, with trailer up to 750kg D1
D1E Vehicles with up to 16 passenger seats plus driver with trailer over 750kg, if combined trailer and vehicle weight isn’t over 12,000kg D1E
D Bus with more than 8 passenger seats, with trailer up to 750kg D
DE Bus with more than 8 passenger seats, with trailer over 750kg DE

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