Driving licence categories
To be able to drive a particular type of vehicle, you need an Âentitlement for that category on your driving licence.
Your entitlements may have additional restrictions – check the restriction codes for your driving licence.
Mopeds
Category AM
You can drive 2-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed of over 25km/h (15.5mph) but not more than 45km/h (28mph).
This category also includes light quad bikes with:
- unladen mass of not more than 350kg (not including batteries if it’s an electric vehicle)
- maximum design speed of over 25km/h (15.5mph) but not more than 45km/h (28mph)
Category P
You can drive 2-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed of over 45km/h (28mph) but not more than 50km/h (31mph).
Its engine size must not be more than 50cc if powered by an internal combustion engine.
Category Q
You can drive 2-wheeled vehicles with:
- an engine size not more than 50cc if powered by an internal combustion engine
- a maximum design speed of no more than 25km/h (15.5mph)
Motorcycles
Category A1
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 up to 15kW.
Category A2
You can drive motorbikes with a:
- power output up to 35kW
- power to weight ratio not more than 0.2kW/kg
The motorbike must also not be derived from a vehicle of more than double its power.
Category A
You can drive:
- motorbikes with a power output more than 35kW or a power to weight ratio more than 0.2kW/kg
- motor tricycles with a power output more than 15kW
Light vehicles and quad bikes
Category B1
You can drive motor vehicles with 4 wheels up to 400kg unladen or 550kg if they’re designed for carrying goods.
Cars
Category B
You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) with up to 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg).
You can also tow heavier trailers if the total weight of vehicle and trailer isn’t more than 3,500kg. The fully loaded trailer canÂt weigh more than the unladen vehicle (this only applies to licences issued before 19 January 2013).
Physically disabled drivers with provisional category B entitlement will also have provisional entitlement to ride category A1 or A motor tricycles.
Able-bodied drivers can no longer ride motor tricycles with a provisional category B licence.
Category B auto
You can drive a category B vehicle – but only an automatic one.
Category B+E
You can drive a category B vehicle with a trailer when they have a combined weight over 3,500kg.
Medium-sized vehicles
Category C1
You can drive vehicles weighing between 3,500 and 7,500kg (with a trailer up to 750kg).
Category C1+E
You can drive C1 category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg, but the trailer – when fully loaded – canÂt weigh more than the vehicle.
The combined weight of both canÂt exceed 12,000kg.
Large vehicles
Category C
You can drive vehicles over 3,500kg (with a trailer up to 750kg).
Category C+E
You can drive category C vehicles with a trailer over 750kg.
Minibuses
Category D1
You can drive vehicles with:
- no more than 16 passenger seats
- a maximum length of 8 metres
- a trailer up to 750kg
Category D1+E
You can drive D1 category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg, but the trailer – when fully loaded – canÂt weigh more than the vehicle.
The combined weight of both canÂt exceed 12,000kg.
Buses
Category D
You can drive any bus with more than 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg).
Category D+E
You can drive D category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg.
Other categories
| Category | Vehicle you can drive |
|---|---|
| F | Agricultural tractor |
| G | Road roller |
| H | Tracked vehicles |
| K | Mowing machine or pedestrian-controlled vehicle |
| L | Electrically-propelled vehicle |
| M | Trolley vehicles |
| N | Exempt from duty |
You donÂt need a driving licence for electric bikes, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs.