Theory online - Descriptions of vehicle categories

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Descriptions of vehicle categories

Except for category B1, all weights quoted for the relevant vehicles relate to the ‘maximum authorised mass’. This is the total weight of the vehicle when ‘laden’ (loaded). Where we refer to an ‘unladen weight’, this means the weight when not carrying a load.

B1	Three, or four-wheeled light vehicles Motor, tricycles, quadricycles and three, or four-wheeled vehicles with an unladen weight of no more than 550kg	17	See note 1
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 3
B+E	Cars with trailers Combinations of a car in category B and a trailer over 750kg	17	See note 8
C1	Medium-sized vehicles Lorries between 3500kg and 7500kg with a trailer up to 750kg	18	See notes 2 and 8
C1+E	Medium-sized vehicles with trailers Combinations of vehicles where the towing vehicle is in category C1 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 weight of the towing vehicle	21	See notes 2, 3 and 8
C	Large vehicles Vehicles over 3500kg with a trailer up to 750kg	21	See note 3
C+E	Large vehicles with trailers Vehicles over 3500kg with a trailer over 750kg	21	See note 3
D1	Minibuses Vehicles with between nine and 16 passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg	21	See notes 4 and 8
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 weight of the towing vehicle	21	See notes 4 and 8
D	Buses Any bus with more than eight passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg	21	See notes 4 and 7
D+E	Buses with trailers Any bus with more than eight passenger seats with a trailer over 750kg	21	See note 7

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 18 if the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is under 7500kg. If the combined weight is over 7500kg, you must be 21 or over.

Note 3

You can drive at 17 if you are a member of the armed forces. You can drive at 18 if you are a member of the young drivers’ scheme.

Note 4

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

You can drive at the age of 18;

while learning to drive or taking your passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) test or CPC Initial Qualification; or

after passing a PCV test and CPC Initial Qualification when:

Driving on a regular service where the route does not exceed 50km, or
Not engaged in the carriage of passengers, or
While undergoing a national vocational training course to obtain a CPC Initial Qualification: or

if the PCV licence was obtained before 10 September 2008, when:

Driving on a regular service where the route does not exceed 50km, or
Not engaged in the carriage of passengers, or
Driving a vehicle of a class included in sub-category D1, and
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 2001122 or you can e-mail drivercpc@dsa.gsi.gov.uk

Note 5

At 16 you can drive tractors less than 2.45m wide. It must only pull trailers less than 2.45m wide with two wheels, or four wheels that are close together.

Note 6

At 17 you can drive small roadrollers with metal or hard rollers. They must not be steam powered, weigh more than 11.69 tonnes or be made for carrying loads.

Note 7

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

Note 8

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 want to drive medium or large vehicles, minibuses or buses in the EC or EEA, you must apply for the appropriate provisional entitlement.
You must not apply for theory or practical tests until the provisional entitlement is shown on your licence.