Useful Info - Driving Licences

Glossary of Terms:
M.A.M. Maximum authorised mass (GVW)
New Driver: Refers to a driver who has passed his/her driving test AFTER 01/01/97

Driving Licence Regulations simplified.

If you passed your Category B (car) driving test prior to 01/01/97, then you have ‘grandfather rights’ which permit you to drive a motor vehicles exceeding 3500kg but NOT exceeding 7500kg. (7.5 tonnes) (16,500lbs) M.A.M. You may tow a trailer NOT EXCEEDING 750kg M.A.M.

IF you drive an RV which has a M.A.M (GVW) of 7500kg (16,500lbs) (category C1), you are restricted to towing a trailer which DOES NOT EXCEED 750kg M.A.M. IF you intend to tow anything larger, you MUST take a test to obtain a Category C licence and higher medical conditions apply. The maximum train weight permissible for a holder of a Category C1 licence is (8250 kgs, IF over 21 yrs). (Train weight refers to the towing vehicles M.A.M. plus the trailers M.A.M.

If you passed your Category B (car) driving test since 01/01/97, then you are limited to driving motor vehicles NOT EXCEEDING 3500kg M.A.M. A trailer may be drawn PROVIDING it does not exceed 750kg M.A.M. In order to drive motor vehicles which fall into Category C1 (3500kg – 7500kg) OR tow a trailer M.A.M. exceeding 750kg then a further driving test will have to be undertaken and higher medical conditions will have to be met.

Categories			Drivers entitled to drive
B	Motor vehicles not exceeding 3500kg M.A.M. and not exceeding 8 passenger seats (+ driver) Towing a trailer – NOT exceeding 750kg M.A.M (4250kg total), OR trailer exceeding 750kg M.A.M. IF combination weight does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and trailer M.A.M. does not exceed unladen weight of motor vehicle.		Holders of a full licence before 01/01/97 retain entitlement to B+E, C1, C1+E (8.25 tonnes), D1 (not for hire or reward), and D1+E (not for hire or reward).
B+E	Category B + trailers exceeding 750kg M.A.M.		New drivers MUST hold Category B licence AND take a separate test.
C	Motor Vehicles (not falling into Categories D,F,G or H) exceeding 3500kg M.A.M. + trailer not exceeding 750kg M.A.M.		ALL drivers have to take a separate test and meet higher medical conditions.
C+E	Category C vehicle + trailer exceeding 750kg M.A.M.		ALL drivers MUST hold Category C licence, take a separate test and meet higher medical conditions.
C1	Motor vehicles 3500kg – 7500kg + trailer not exceeding 750 M.A.M. (Total train weight limited to 7500kg IF under 21 years)		ALL drivers MUST hold Category B licence, take a separate test and meet higher medical conditions.
C1+E	Category C1 + Trailer exceeding 750kg M.A.M. providing the total maximum weight of the combination does not exceed 12000kg AND M.A.M of trailer does not exceed		New drivers MUST hold Category C1 licence AND take further test. Holders of licence valid prior to 01/01/97 limited to C1+E (8.25tonnes) UNLESS new test taken.

More info available at http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/drivers.htm