What do the categories and codes on your UK driving licence mean? Learn what vehicles you can (and can’t) drive with a standard UK licence.
Safe and legal driving goes beyond just following the Highway Code. Have you ever noticed the various categories listed on the back of your UK driving licence? What do they signify? Do they impose any restrictions on your driving? Although we carry our licences daily, many of us aren’t fully aware of what these categories represent. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive guide to explain these driving licence categories and codes. Find out exactly what you’re qualified to drive and which additional tests you may need.
Why should you regularly check your driving licence?
With around 75% of UK adults holding a driving licence, that’s a significant number of drivers on the road. Whether for daily commuting or long-distance travel, it’s vital to ensure your licence is valid, in good condition, and updated with your correct personal information.
Planning a long drive or travelling abroad? It’s even more critical to check your licence, as it may be required at border crossings or checkpoints.
Looking for more information on driving licence categories and codes? We’ve got all the details you need.
What do the driving licence categories mean?
Find out about the different types of driving licence categories, and see what you’re currently entitled to drive with your standard UK driving licence.
Vehicle Categories, Licensing Requirements, and Restrictions for Driving Tests
| Category | Type | Additional Driving Test | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Type | Additional Driving Test | Restrictions |
| A | Motorbikes | Yes | No limit on displacement or power output |
| A1 | Motorbikes | Yes | Up to 125cc or 11kW |
| A2 | Motorbikes | Yes | Up to 35kW |
| AM | 2 or 3-wheeled motors | Yes | Max speed 15.5-28 mph, typically for mopeds |
| B | Cars | No | Max 8 passenger seats, GVW limits apply |
| B auto | Automatic cars | No | N/A |
| B+E | Cat B + Trailer | No | Up to 3,500kg (combined weight may not exceed 7,000kg) |
| B1 | Light vehicles | No | Up to 550kg with goods |
| C | Large lorries | Yes | Max trailer 750kg |
| C+E | Cat C + Trailer | Yes | No upper weight limit (subject to vehicle manufacturer limits) |
| C1 | Lorries | Yes | Up to 7,500kg + 750kg trailer |
| C1+E | Cat C1 + Trailer | Yes | Max combined weight 12,000kg |
| D | Bus | Yes | Trailer up to 750kg |
| D+E | Cat D + Trailer | Yes | No upper weight limit |
| D1 | Minibus | Yes | Length max 8m, trailer max 750kg |
| D1+E | Cat D1 + Trailer | Yes | N/A |
| F | Tractor | No | Subject to speed and usage restrictions |
| G | Road roller | Yes | Weight/type restrictions apply |
| H | Tracked vehicles | Yes | Specific vehicle type restrictions |
| K | Pedestrian vehicles | No | Self-propelled, restricted to certain uses |
| P | 2-wheeled vehicles | No | Max speed 28-31 mph, power output may apply |
| Q | 2-wheeled motors | No | Max speed 15.5 mph, small electric vehicles |
| A | Motorbikes | Yes | No limit on displacement or power output |
| A1 | Motorbikes | Yes | Up to 125cc or 11kW |
| A2 | Motorbikes | Yes | Up to 35kW |
| AM | 2 or 3-wheeled motors | Yes | Max speed 15.5-28 mph, typically for mopeds |
| B | Cars | No | Max 8 passenger seats, GVW limits apply |
| B auto | Automatic cars | No | N/A |
| B+E | Cat B + Trailer | No | Up to 3,500kg (combined weight may not exceed 7,000kg) |
| B1 | Light vehicles | No | Up to 550kg with goods |
| C | Large lorries | Yes | Max trailer 750kg |
| C+E | Cat C + Trailer | Yes | No upper weight limit (subject to vehicle manufacturer limits) |
| C1 | Lorries | Yes | Up to 7,500kg + 750kg trailer |
| C1+E | Cat C1 + Trailer | Yes | Max combined weight 12,000kg |
| D | Bus | Yes | Trailer up to 750kg |
| D+E | Cat D + Trailer | Yes | No upper weight limit |
| D1 | Minibus | Yes | Length max 8m, trailer max 750kg |
| D1+E | Cat D1 + Trailer | Yes | N/A |
| F | Tractor | No | Subject to speed and usage restrictions |
| G | Road roller | Yes | Weight/type restrictions apply |
| H | Tracked vehicles | Yes | Specific vehicle type restrictions |
| K | Pedestrian vehicles | No | Self-propelled, restricted to certain uses |
| P | 2-wheeled vehicles | No | Max speed 28-31 mph, power output may apply |
| Q | 2-wheeled motors | No | Max speed 15.5 mph, small electric vehicles |
Standard UK driving licence categories
Category AM
This allows you to drive two- or three-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed between 15.5 mph and 28 mph. You’ll need to pass a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) test for this.
Additionally, you can drive quad bikes with a maximum design speed between 15.5 mph and 28 mph, provided they weigh no more than 350 kg (excluding batteries for electric vehicles).
Category B
Category B covers driving cars up to 3,500 kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) with up to eight passenger seats.
If you’re over 21, you can also drive motor tricycles with a power output greater than 15 kW. You’ll also get provisional entitlement to ride motor tricycles that fall under Category A1 or A (if you’re physically disabled).
Category F
All standard UK licences include Category F, which allows you to drive agricultural tractors without restrictions.
Category K
This category lets you operate pedestrian-controlled vehicles, such as self-propelled machinery that you walk behind to control (e.g., mowing machines).
Category Q
With this category, you can drive two-wheeled vehicles with an engine size up to 50 cc and a maximum design speed of 15.5 mph.
Driving licence categories you might have
Category B1
Category B1 allows you to drive motor vehicles with four wheels, up to 400 kg unladen or 550 kg if carrying goods. This is more common on older licences.
Category B+E
If you passed your driving test before January 1, 1997, you’re entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination with a total weight of up to 8,250 kg. If you passed after that date, you must take an additional test to tow trailers over the combined limit of 3,500 kg.
Category B auto
This restricts you to driving automatic cars only, meaning you’re not permitted to drive manual vehicles.
Category P
This older category still appears on some licences and covers two-wheeled vehicles with a design speed of up to 31 mph and an engine size below 50 cc. It has largely been replaced by Category AM.
Driving licence categories you need to complete an additional test for
Category A
With a catgory A, you can drive motorbikes with a power output more than 35kW or a power to weight ratio more than 0.2kW/kg.
Category A1
Category A1 allows you to ride light motorcycles with an engine size up to 125 cc, a power output of up to 11 kW, and a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.1 kW/kg. This also includes motor tricycles with a power output up to 15 kW.
Category A1
This driving licence category means you can drive two or three wheeled motors with a maximum design speed between 15.5mph and 28mph. But, you’ll need to pass a compulsory basic training test (CBT) as well.
This classification also includes quad bikes that have a maximum design speed of between 15.5mph and 28mph, weighing no more than 350kg (doesn’t include batteries on electric vehicles).
Category C1
After passing the relevant test, you can drive vehicles between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg, with a trailer up to 750 kg.
Category C1+E
This adds trailer entitlement to Category C1, allowing you to tow trailers over 750 kg, but the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer cannot exceed 12,000 kg. The trailer also cannot weigh more than the vehicle.
Category C
With Category C, you can drive vehicles over 3,500 kg with a trailer up to 750 kg, after passing the required test.
Category C+E
Category C+E allows you to tow trailers over 750 kg with Category C vehicles.
Category D1
With Category D1, you can drive minibuses with up to 16 passenger seats and a maximum length of 8 metres, and you can tow trailers up to 750 kg.
Category D1+E
This adds trailer entitlement to Category D1, enabling you to tow trailers over 750 kg, provided the combined weight does not exceed 12,000 kg.
Category D
Category D allows you to drive any bus with more than eight passenger seats and tow a trailer up to 750 kg.
Category D+E
This category allows you to tow trailers over 750 kg with a Category D vehicle.
Category G
With this category, you are entitled to drive road rollers.
Category H
Category H allows you to drive tracked vehicles, including tanks..
Other
No licence is required for electric bikes, mobility scooters, or powered wheelchairs.
ALL ABOUT DRIVING LICENCE CODES
Along with categories covering what vehicles you can drive, your driving licence codes add a wealth of other information about you – the holder. Here’s what you need to know.
Driving licence categories dictate the types of vehicles that an individual can drive, whereas driving licence codes tell you what conditions actually apply.
You can find the driving licence codes that relate to your licence by looking under section 12 on the reverse of your driving licence. Ignoring codes can result in big fines, so it’s essential to take note of any restrictions on your licence and comply.
The categories of a UK driving license include cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks, and tractors.
The code for a car category on a UK driving license is B.
The code for a motorcycle category on a UK driving license is A.
The code for a bus category on a UK driving license is D.
The code for a truck category on a UK driving license is C.
The code for a tractor category on a UK driving license is F.
No, a motorcycle license does not permit you to drive a car in the UK.
To add a new category to your UK driving license, you will need to pass the necessary tests and apply for a provisional license for that category.
You can have as many categories as you are eligible for on your UK driving license.
Each country has their own driving license regulations and categories, UK driving license categories may not be valid in other countries and vice versa. It’s best to check with the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to drive in.
Here are some of the common driving licence codes you could find listed under section 12.
Code: 01
This means you need eyesight correction when driving andyou’ll need to wear glasses or contact lenses when driving – by law. Failure to do so could result in a fine and penalty points. You’lll also need to report any changes to your vision or any corrective surgery.
Code: 02
The 02 driving licence code means that a hearing or communication aid must be worn when behind the wheel. As with eyesight, you must tell the DVLA about any changes to your hearing.
Code: 106
106 – restricted to vehicles with automatic transmissions
Code: 115
Not a restriction per-se, but this driving licence code lets authorities know that the holder of the licence is an organ donor.
Click here for a full list of driving licence codes and what they mean.
Safe driving tips
For any journey, safe and legal driving should be the priority. Having a handle on what your driving licence means is a good way to ensure that you’re clued up on the road.
If you’re driving abroad make sure that you know the rules for the country you’re in, such as sign posting, speed limits, directions and general driving laws.
The most valuable safe driving tip is to plan ahead for every journey. Driving conditions change with seasons, and roadworks or road closures are almost guaranteed to delay you at some point. So, schedule in some rest breaks, take your time and don’t get distracted while driving. Got a plane to catch? Get there on time by booking parking in advance.
Your driving licence is your ticket to freedom – so, know it well, use it right and enjoy the drive!