Few everyday (non-professional) drivers spare a thought for the paper counterpart of their driving licence, and what it might mean. Even if you did have the time (and inclination) to look at the reverse of your licence, it is unlikely that the list of categories will mean anything to you.
Your driving licence category doesn’t become relevant until you want to drive a minibus, tow a trailer or caravan, or even drive a manual vehicle if you have an automatic licence. We take a look at the driving licence categories that might affect you and what they mean.
Two and three-wheeled vehicles and light vehicles
CATEGORY AM for 2 and 3-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed of 15.5-28mph, including quad bikes that weigh less than 350kg.
CATEGORY P for 2-wheeled vehicles (e.g. mopeds) with a maximum design speed of 28-31 mph and an engine size of 50cc or less.
CATEGORY Q – 2 or 3-wheeled vehicles without pedals with an engine size of 50cc or less, and a maximum speed of 15.5 mph.
CATEGORY A1 – motorbikes with an engine size of up to 125cc; power output of 11kW and a power/weight ratio of 0.1kW/kg or less and three-wheeled motorbikes with power output of up to 15kW.
CATEGORY A2 – motorbikes with power output of up to 35kW and weight ratio of 0.2kW/kg or less.
CATEGORY A – motorbikes with a power output of 35kW or less, or power ration of no more than 0.2kW/kg, three-wheeled motorbikes with a power output of less than 14kW.
If you pass your test for A1, you can only drive vehicles within that category. An A2 licence allows you to drive A1 and A2 vehicles, and a category A license allows you to drive any vehicle within A, A1 or A2.
CATEGORY B1 – 4-wheeled vehicles weighing up to 400kg.
Cars
Your driving (and towing) restrictions will depend on when you passed your driving test.
Driving licences issued after 01.01.1997:
CATEGORY B – vehicles (automatic and manual) carrying up to 8 passengers, weighing up to 3,500kg and with a trailer of up to 750kg. You can tow a heavier trailer, provided the MAM – Maximum Authorised Mass of both vehicle and trailer are less than 3,500kg. If you are over 21 years old, a category B licence also allows you to drive a tricycle over 15kW.
If you are physically disabled and you have a provisional category B licence, you also have provisional entitlement to drive category A or A1 three-wheeled bikes.
Driving licences issued before 01.01.1997:
CATEGORY B – vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg MAM, minibus with trailer up to 750kg.
CATEGORY B AUTO – only automatic vehicles.
If you have a full driving licence, taken in a manual vehicle, you can drive an automatic. To ensure your road safety, you may wish to have some driving lessons before you take to the roads in an automatic for the first time. Alternatively, follow Trust A Garage on Facebook or Twitter for next week’s tips on driving an automatic.