In the UK, driving and traffic rules are designed to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. According to the DVLA, not every driver can drive every type of vehicle. There are fixed skill tests that a person needs to pass (both theory and practical tests) in order to obtain a UK driving licence for a specific vehicle or specific vehicles. Vehicles are defined under fixed categories and driving licence category codes reveal the type of vehicle the licence holder is allowed to drive.
As mentioned above, a driver needs to complete a specific driving test to obtain a licence for each and every category, according to the code depicted on the driving licence. By looking at this code, you can find out what vehicles drivers are allowed to drive. For example,
- A1 - on a licence means you can drive light motorbikes with an engine size up to 125cc, a power output of up to 11kw, a power to weight ratio not more than 0.1kw/kg - this category also includes motor tricycles with power output to 15kw
- B1- on a licence means you can drive motor vehicles with 4 wheels up to 400kg unladen or 550kg if they are designed for carrying goods.
So, it all depends on what test the driver has passed.
Details of category codes:
The licence category codes not only reveal permissible vehicles but also indicates the minimum age of the driver as each category has minimum age levels.
- For driving motorcycles ranging from 11KW-25KW without sidecars, the category codes vary from A1 to A. Minimum age limits are from 17-21 years depending on the particular type of motorcycle.
- A B1 category code indicates the driver can drive 3 or 4 wheelers less than 550kg weight limit.
- For driving cars of all types such as an eight seater, hatchback, sedan, SUV, automatic cars, trailer accompanied cars the code varies from B, B Automatic, to B+E categories. The minimum age limit in each case is 17.
- For medium to larger vehicles like trucks, trailers, Lorries etc. the code varies from C, C+E to C1. The minimum age for the C1 category is 18 and for others it is 21.
- For mini buses and buses the codes are D1, D1+E and D, D+E respectively.
Apart from the above there are some other codes that are also applicable.
