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Q577: What do the different categories mean on my licence?

Answer

Driving licence categories on or after 19th January 2013

 

Category

Description

Minimum age

Notes

AM

Moped – two-wheel vehicles or three-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

Motorcycles – 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

10

A

Motorcycles

  • 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

1, 10, 11

B1

Four wheeled light vehicles – motor vehicles with four wheels up to 400kg unladen weight or 550kg for vehicles intended for carrying goods.

17

 

B

Cars

  • Motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3,500kg, designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver with a trailer up to 750kg.
  • As category B but with a trailer weighing more than 750kg. The total weight of the vehicle and trailer can't weigh more than 3500kg.

17

2, 11, 12

BE

Cars with trailers – combinations of vehicles consisting of a vehicle in category B and a trailer, where the combination does not come within category B, and the MAM of the trailer or semi-trailer does not exceed 3,500kg.

17

 

C1

Medium sized vehicles – vehicles between 3500kg and 7500kg, designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver with a trailer up to 750kg.

18

5, 10

C1E

Medium sized vehicles and trailers – vehicles between 3500kg and 7500kg with a trailer over 750kg, designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver – combined weight not more than 12000kg.

18

3, 5, 10

C

Large goods vehicles – vehicles over 3500kg with a trailer up to 750kg, designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver.

21

3, 10

CE

Large goods vehicles with trailers – vehicles over 3500kg designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver with a trailer over 750kg.

21

3, 10

D1

Minibuses – vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding eight metres with a trailer up to 750kg.

21

4, 5

D1E

Minibuses with trailers – vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding eight metres with a trailer over 750kg, provided that the MAM of the combination formed does not exceed 12000kg.

21

4, 5

D

Buses – any bus designed and constructed for the carriage of more than eight passengers in addition to the driver, with a trailer up to 750kg.

24

4

DE

Buses with trailers – any bus designed and constructed for the carriage of more than eight passengers in addition to the driver, with a trailer over 750kg.

24

4

p

Moped – a motor vehicle with fewer than four wheels with a maximum design speed exceeding 45km/h but not exceeding 50km/h and which, if propelled by an internal combustion engine, has a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50cc.

16

6

q

Moped – a motor vehicle with fewer than four 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

6

f

Agricultural tractors

17

7

g

Roadrollers

21

8, 10

h

Tracked vehicles

21

9, 10

k

Mowing machines or vehicles controlled by someone on foot

16

 

 

Note 1
Age 24 or 2 years from date of Standard A2 test pass. Tricycle restriction code 79 (tri)/79(03) – this means restricted to tricycles.

Note 2
Age 16 if you are getting or have applied for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (mobility component) at the enhanced rate.

Note 3
You can drive at age 17 if you are a member of the armed forces. You can drive at 18 if one of the following apply:

  • you passed your driving test and Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC ) initial qualification
  • you are learning to drive or taking a driving test for this category or Driver CPC initial qualification
  • you are taking a national vocational training course to get a Driver CPC initial qualification
  • you had your driving licence before 10 September 2009, you must take the Driver CPC periodic training within 5 years of this date.

Note 4
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) If you are learning to either:

  • take your Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) driving test, or
  • get your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC )

(ii) If you have passed a PCV driving test and Driver CPC initial qualification, you can drive if:

  • carrying passengers on a regular service where the route doesn't exceed 31 miles, or
  • not engaged in the carriage of passengers, or
  • driving a vehicle of a class included in sub-category D1
  • you don't drive a bus or minibus abroad.

(iii) Since 10 September 2008, drivers passing a PCV test and driving under a bus operator's licence, or minibus permit, or community bus permit, you can drive if:

  • carrying passengers on a regular service where the route doesn't exceed 31 miles, or
  • not engaged in the carriage of passengers, or
  • driving a vehicle of a class included in sub-category D1
  • you don't drive a bus or minibus abroad.

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

 

For further advice you can contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency by phoning 0300 200 1122.

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, or
  • if you were entitled to drive the vehicle before 19 January 2013.

Note 5

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).

Note 6

National category only.

Note 7

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-coupled.
Note 8
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 9
You can drive at 17 if the MAM of the tracked vehicle is not more than 3,500kg.

Note 10
You can ride or drive at age 17 if you are a member of the armed forces.

Note 11
An exemption exists for the holder of category B, to drive large motor tricycles in category A if they are over 21 years of age.

Note 12
This applies to all category B licence holders regardless of the test pass date.

MAM – means Maximum Authorised Mass.

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Answer

To hold a licence to drive a moped you have to be 16 years old. To hold a licence for a car you have to be 17 years old, unless you are getting or have applied for the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in which case the minimum age is 16. To ride a motorcycle you have to be 17 years old.

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Question

Q577: What do the different categories mean on my licence?

Answer

Driving licence categories on or after 19th January 2013

 

Category

Description

Minimum age

Notes

AM

Moped – two-wheel vehicles or three-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

Motorcycles – 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

10

A

Motorcycles

  • 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

1, 10, 11

B1

Four wheeled light vehicles – motor vehicles with four wheels up to 400kg unladen weight or 550kg for vehicles intended for carrying goods.

17

 

B

Cars

  • Motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3,500kg, designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver with a trailer up to 750kg.
  • As category B but with a trailer weighing more than 750kg. The total weight of the vehicle and trailer can't weigh more than 3500kg.

17

2, 11, 12

BE

Cars with trailers – combinations of vehicles consisting of a vehicle in category B and a trailer, where the combination does not come within category B, and the MAM of the trailer or semi-trailer does not exceed 3,500kg.

17

 

C1

Medium sized vehicles – vehicles between 3500kg and 7500kg, designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver with a trailer up to 750kg.

18

5, 10

C1E

Medium sized vehicles and trailers – vehicles between 3500kg and 7500kg with a trailer over 750kg, designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver – combined weight not more than 12000kg.

18

3, 5, 10

C

Large goods vehicles – vehicles over 3500kg with a trailer up to 750kg, designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver.

21

3, 10

CE

Large goods vehicles with trailers – vehicles over 3500kg designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver with a trailer over 750kg.

21

3, 10

D1

Minibuses – vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding eight metres with a trailer up to 750kg.

21

4, 5

D1E

Minibuses with trailers – vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding eight metres with a trailer over 750kg, provided that the MAM of the combination formed does not exceed 12000kg.

21

4, 5

D

Buses – any bus designed and constructed for the carriage of more than eight passengers in addition to the driver, with a trailer up to 750kg.

24

4

DE

Buses with trailers – any bus designed and constructed for the carriage of more than eight passengers in addition to the driver, with a trailer over 750kg.

24

4

p

Moped – a motor vehicle with fewer than four wheels with a maximum design speed exceeding 45km/h but not exceeding 50km/h and which, if propelled by an internal combustion engine, has a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50cc.

16

6

q

Moped – a motor vehicle with fewer than four 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

6

f

Agricultural tractors

17

7

g

Roadrollers

21

8, 10

h

Tracked vehicles

21

9, 10

k

Mowing machines or vehicles controlled by someone on foot

16

 

 

Note 1
Age 24 or 2 years from date of Standard A2 test pass. Tricycle restriction code 79 (tri)/79(03) – this means restricted to tricycles.

Note 2
Age 16 if you are getting or have applied for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (mobility component) at the enhanced rate.

Note 3
You can drive at age 17 if you are a member of the armed forces. You can drive at 18 if one of the following apply:

  • you passed your driving test and Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC ) initial qualification
  • you are learning to drive or taking a driving test for this category or Driver CPC initial qualification
  • you are taking a national vocational training course to get a Driver CPC initial qualification
  • you had your driving licence before 10 September 2009, you must take the Driver CPC periodic training within 5 years of this date.

Note 4
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) If you are learning to either:

  • take your Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) driving test, or
  • get your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC )

(ii) If you have passed a PCV driving test and Driver CPC initial qualification, you can drive if:

  • carrying passengers on a regular service where the route doesn't exceed 31 miles, or
  • not engaged in the carriage of passengers, or
  • driving a vehicle of a class included in sub-category D1
  • you don't drive a bus or minibus abroad.

(iii) Since 10 September 2008, drivers passing a PCV test and driving under a bus operator's licence, or minibus permit, or community bus permit, you can drive if:

  • carrying passengers on a regular service where the route doesn't exceed 31 miles, or
  • not engaged in the carriage of passengers, or
  • driving a vehicle of a class included in sub-category D1
  • you don't drive a bus or minibus abroad.

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

 

For further advice you can contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency by phoning 0300 200 1122.

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, or
  • if you were entitled to drive the vehicle before 19 January 2013.

Note 5

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).

Note 6

National category only.

Note 7

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-coupled.
Note 8
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 9
You can drive at 17 if the MAM of the tracked vehicle is not more than 3,500kg.

Note 10
You can ride or drive at age 17 if you are a member of the armed forces.

Note 11
An exemption exists for the holder of category B, to drive large motor tricycles in category A if they are over 21 years of age.

Note 12
This applies to all category B licence holders regardless of the test pass date.

MAM – means Maximum Authorised Mass.
 
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