Theory online - Descriptions of Vehicle Categories

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Descriptions of Vehicle Categories

Category	Description	Minimum age	Notes
B	Cars Cars with a maximum authorised mass of no more than 3500kg, having no more than eight passenger seats, towing a trailer up to 750kg. A car and a trailer, where the total maximum authorised mass of both is not more than 3500kg and the maximum authorised mass of the trailer is not more than the unladen weight of the car A car with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a maximum authorised mass of 2 tonnes towing a trailer with a maximum authorised mass of 1.25 tonnes could be driven under category B entitlement as the maximum authorised mass of both is not more than 3.5 tonnes and the maximum authorised mass of the trailer is not more than the unladen weight of the car	17	See note 1
B auto	Automatic cars As cars, but with automatic gearbox	17	See note 1
D1	Minibuses Vehicles with between nine and 16 passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg	21	See notes 2 and 4
D1+E	Minibuses with trailers Combinations of vehicles where the towing vehicle is in category D1 and its trailer has a maximum authorised mass of over 750kg, as long as the maximum authorised mass of the vehicle and trailer is not more than 12000kg, and the maximum authorised mass of the trailer is not more than the unladen mass of the towing vehicle	21	See notes 2 and 4
D	Buses Any bus with more than eight passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg	21	See notes 2 and 3

Note 1

At age 16 you can get a licence if you receive the higher-rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance. However, if you stop getting the higher rate, the normal minimum age for driving a car (17) applies.　

Note 2

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

You can drive age 18;(i) while learning to drive or taking your passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) test or CPC Initial Qualification or(ii) After passing a PCV test and CPC Initial Qualification when:

Driving on a regular service where the route does not exceed 50km, or

n Not engaged in the carriage of passengers, or

n While undergoing a national vocational training course to obtain a CPC Initial Qualification; or

(iii) If the PCV licence was obtained before 10 September 2008, when:

n Driving on a regular service where the route does not exceed 50km, or

n Not engaged in the carriage of passengers, or

n Driving a vehicle of a class included in sub-category D1, and

n Driving under a bus operator’s licence, Minibus permit or Community bus permit.

For further advice you will need to contact the Driving Standards Agency on 0300 200 1122 or you can e-mail drivercpc@dsa.gsi.gov.uk

Note 3

You need category D entitlement to drive an articulated bus (for example, a ‘bendibus’). You can get more details from us.

Note 4

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

If you have any questions about driving licences, you can find more details at www.direct.gov.uk/driverinfo and in booklet ‘Information on driving licences’ (INS57P) which is also avilable on the website at www.direct.gov.uk/motoringleaflets

You can also contact us in the following ways.

Phone (Customer Enquiries): 0870 240 0009 (lines are open between 8am and 8.30pm Monday to Friday, and between 8am and 5.30pm on Saturdays).

Fax: 0870 240 1651 (from the UK), +44 1792 786369 (from abroad).

E-mail: drivers.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk

We cannot provide driver numbers or personal information from a driver’s record by e-mail.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing and have a textphone, you should phone 01792 766366. This number will not respond to an ordinary phone.

If you change your name, address or vehicle, please notify DVLA immediately. Failure to do this could cost you a £1,000 fine.