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 |
