There is a lot to get to grips with as a new driver, and licence types are one of those things. They vary according to the vehicle you’re driving, the power behind it, and its purpose. For example, tractors and forklifts have their own category that require separate licences and training if you want to drive them.
If you’re only looking to drive a car, things are much simpler for you. But you never know when things will change. You might end up with a motorbike during your quarter-life crisis, or you could have a career change and drive lorries around. Regardless of the reason why, we’re here to take you through different licence categories and what they mean.
What are the Codes and Categories for Licences?
You might have noticed a series of letters and numbers on your licence, and these are actually very important. They are split into two groups, the first of which are driving licence categories. This is a combination of letters and numbers (an example being C1) that lets us know which vehicle types we are allowed to drive.
The second is the driving licence codes, and these are only numbers. Their purpose is to tell us the conditions a driver needs to meet in order to drive. For example, 01 on a licence shows that a person requires glasses or contact lenses to be allowed behind the wheel.
How Driving Licences Work
If you look at section nine of your photo licence, you will be able to see which categories are covered by your current licence. Any capital letters are recognised across Europe, and lowercase letters are used on a national level. On the back of your licence, you’ll find three columns that can show the following:
- Column 9 shows the types of vehicles you can drive
- Column 10 shows the licence start date
- Column 11 shows the licence end date
- Column 12 shows driving licence codes
Which Licence Category Applies to Cars?
Category B can vary according to when you passed your test. If you passed before 1st January 1997, you’re allowed to carry a vehicle and trailer combo with a maximum allowed mass of 8,250kg or a minibus with a trailer over 750kg. If you pass after this date, the maximum allowed mass is 3,500kg with a trailer up to 3,500kg (combined weight not exceeding 7,000kg).
Category B also includes:
- B Auto (automatic only)
- BE Car and trailer test
- B1 Vans (small only)
Pro Tip: Category B also means you can drive a motor tricycle with a motor over 15kW if you are over the age of 21.
Which Licence Category Applies to Vans and Lorries?
Category C is for large goods vehicles, which means you can drive anything over 3,500kg alongside a trailer up to 750kg. You’ll need a full licence for this category and then apply for a provisional lorry licence. After a health check and the approval of your doctor to drive large vehicles, you can then take the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence test.
Category C also includes:
- CE Trailer over 750kg
- C1 Vehicles between 3,500 and 7,500kg
- C1E C1 Vehicles with a trailer over 750kg (cannot exceed 12,000kg)
Which Licence Category Applies to Motorbikes?
Category A drivers can operate a motorcycle with any engine size. It is only available to those over the age of 24 unless you have held an A2 licence for at least two years. You also need to have completed compulsory basic training and pass your theory and practical tests.
Category A also includes:
- A1 Motorcycles at 125cc and a power output of up to 11kW
- A2 Motorcycles up to 35kW
- AM Mopeds and two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicles with a max speed of 28mph
- P Mopeds and two-wheeled vehicles over 28mph but no more than 31mph
- Q Bikes and E-scooters up to 50cc and up to 15.5mph
Are There Other Driving Licence Categories?
Other driving licence categories you will want to keep in mind include:
- D – Any bus with eight passenger seats and a trailer up to 750kg
- D1 – Minibuses with no more than 16 passenger seats, a maximum length of 8 metres and a trailer of up to 750kg
- D1E – D1 minibuses with the option to tow a trailer over 750kg. The combined weight cannot exceed 12,000kg
- F – Agricultural tractors
- G – Road roller
- H – Tracked vehicles
- K – Mowing machine or pedestrian-controlled vehicles
- L – Electrically-propelled vehicles
- M – Trolley vehicles
- N – Exempt from duty
For the most up-to-date and complete list of categories, check the official DVLA driving licence categories page.
Common Driving Licence Codes
The codes printed on the back of your driving licence tell you what conditions you must meet to drive. Some of the most common codes include:
- 01 – eyesight correction, for example glasses or contact lenses
- 02 – hearing/communication aid
- 10 – modified transmission
- 78 – restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission
For the complete list of driving licence codes and their meanings, visit the official DVLA codes page.
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