Driving licences allow different people to drive different vehicles, depending on the type of licence that they have, and when they got it. Your driving licence will usually permit you to drive more than just a car, and the clue is in the categories listed on the back of your photocard licence. We explain those categories and codes:
- Medium-sized vehicles
- Large vehicles
- Minibuses
- Buses
- Mopeds
- Motorcycles
- Light vehicles and quad bikes
- Cars
- Restrictions.
Medium Sized vehicles – Categories C1 & C1E
C – applies to vehicles which weigh over 3,500 kg. You can also tow a trailer of up to 750kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM).
CE – you can drive all category C vehicles and tow a trailer weighing more than 750 kg.
Minibuses – Categories D1 & D1E
D1 – this allows you to drive a minibus that is a maximum of 8 metres long, with up to 16 seats and a trailer of up to 750kg.
D1E – If you have category D1E you can drive vehicles specified in D1, but can tow a trailer of more than 750kg, providing the total MAM isn’t more than 12,000kg.
Buses – D & DE
D – a bus driver is required to have this category licence in order to drive any bus, with a trailer of up to 750kg.
DE – as with category D, but the bus driver can tow a trailer that weighs more than 750kg.
Mopeds – Categories AM, P & Q
AM – this code on your licence means that you can drive two or three-wheeled vehicles that are designed to reach a maximum speed of 15.5 – 28 mph. This includes quad bikes that have the same maximum design speed (15.5 – 28 mph), but which weigh less than 350kg (excluding batteries).
P - licence holders can drive 2-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed of 28-31 mph. If the vehicle is powered by an internal combustion engine, the engine must be 50cc or less.
Q – applies to 2-wheeled vehicles which have an engine size of 50cc or less, if powered by an internal combustion engine, and a maximum design speed of 15.5 mph.
There are several other vehicle categories, which include F – for agricultural tractors, G for road rollers, and K for mowing machines or pedestrian-controlled vehicles (yes, really!).
Most standard driving licences allow you to drive vehicles from categories AM, F and K (low speed mopeds, tractors, ride-on mowers and pedestrian-controlled vehicles), but you will probably need an additional test in order to be able to drive under any of the other categories specified on this page.
To learn about car and motorbike driving categories, see part 2. If you are unsure about what you are legally able to drive, or to expand your driving categories by taking the relevant tests, contact a local driving instructor for further information.
Got a question? Just ask! Or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.