UK Driving licence categories

CATEGORY

VEHICLE TYPE

MINIMUM AGE

NOTES[NOTES 1]

AM

Motorcycle

16

Light motorcycle with a design speed of less than 45 km/h (28 mph).

A1

Motorcycle

17

Light motorcycles with a cubic capacity not exceeding 125 cc and of a power output not exceeding 11 kW (14.6 bhp). A motor tricycle less than 15 kW power output

A2

Motorcycle

19

Motorcycles up to 35 kW (47 bhp) and a power to mass ratio not exceeding 0.2 kW/kg. Motorcycle combination with a power mass ratio not exceeding 0.2 kW/kg.

A

Motorcycle

24[Notes 2]

Any size motorcycle with or without a sidecar. A Motor tricycle power output over 15 kW

B1

4 wheeled light vehicles

17[Notes 3]

quadricycles up to 400 kg (880 lb) unladen (or 550 kg (1,210 lb) for goods vehicles). B1 before 13 January 2013 means 3/4 wheel light vehicle, but licences held still keep this entitlement. but shown after January 2013 as category A motorcycles restricted to motor tricycles only and B1 4 wheels. upon renew, exchange an old licence

B

Cars

17[Notes 4]

Motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3,500 kg (7,700 lb) having not more than 8 passenger seats with a trailer up to 750 kg (1,650 lb).

Combinations of vehicles in Category B and a trailer when combined vehicle and trailer MAM’s are less than 3,500 kg.

B

Minibuses

21

Vehicles with between 9 and 16 passenger seats not for hire or reward. MAM not exceeding 3.5 tonnes or 4.25 tonnes including specialist equipment for the carriage of disabled passengers. No trailer of any size may be pulled. B licence must have been held for 2 years. Valid for minibuses only when used in the United Kingdom.

B (AUTOMATIC)

Automatic cars

17[Notes 5]

As cars (B), but only those with automatic transmission.

B+E

Cars with trailers

17[Notes 6]

As category B but with a heavier trailer that isn’t covered in the descriptions for category B.

C1

Medium-sized vehicle

18[Notes 7]

Vehicles between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg with a trailer up to 750 kg.

C1+E

Medium-sized vehicle with trailers

21[Notes 8]

Combinations of vehicles where the towing vehicle is in subcategory C1 and its trailer has a MAM of over 750 kg provided that the MAM of the combination thus formed does not exceed 12,000 kg and MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle.

C

Large vehicles

21[Notes 9]

Vehicles over 3,500 kg (including those over 7,500 kg) with a trailer up to 750 kg.

C+E

Large vehicles with trailers

21[Notes 9]

Vehicles over 3,500 kg (including those over 7,500 kg) with a trailer over 750 kg.

D1

Minibuses

21[Notes 10]

Vehicles with between 9 and 16 passenger seats with a trailer up to 750 kg. See also under B

D1+E

Minibuses with trailers

21[Notes 10]

Combinations of vehicles where the towing vehicle is in subcategory D1 and its trailer has a MAM of over 750 kg, provided that the MAM of the combination thus formed does not exceed 12,000 kg, and the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle.

D

Buses

24[Notes 10]

Any bus with more than 8 passenger seats with a trailer up to 750 kg.

D+E

Buses with trailers

24[Notes 10]

Any bus with more than 8 passenger seats with a trailer over 750 kg.

F

Agricultural tractors

16

Maximum weight with trailer = 24 390 kg. Age 16 for tractors less than 2.45m wide. It must only pull trailers less than 2.45 m (96 in) wide with two wheels, or four close-coupled.

G

Road rollers

21[Notes 11]

N/A

H

Tracked vehicles

21[Notes 12]

N/A

K

Mowing machine or vehicle controlled by a pedestrian

16

N/A

L

Electric vehicles

17

Category now deprecated – tests no longer available (since 2001) for this category. Vehicles now fit into category B1 or B.

N

Vehicles used for very short distances on public roads

N/A

Category now deprecated – tests no longer available (since 2001) for this category. Vehicles now fit into category B1 or B.

P

Motorcycles

16

Engine capacity must not exceed 50 cc and the maximum design speed must not exceed 50 km/h (31 mph).

Q

Mopeds

17

2-wheeled vehicles with engine size not more than 50 cc if powered by an internal combustion engine or maximum design speed of no more than 25 km/h (15.5 mph).