The Driving Licence categories can be found on the front of the D under section nine. Consult the table below to understand the meaning of the categories.
See the Driving Licence Codes article for information on DL Codes.
UK Driving Licence (Front)
Mopeds
| Category | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AM | You can drive 2-wheeled or 3-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:
|
| 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. |
| q | You can drive 2-wheeled and 3-wheeled vehicles without pedals with:
This category also includes trial e-scooters. |
Motorcycles
| Category | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A1 | You can drive light motorbikes with:
This category also includes motor tricycles with power output up to 15kW. |
| A2 | You can drive motorbikes with a:
The motorbike must also not be derived from a vehicle of more than double its power. You can also drive motorbikes in category A1. |
| A | You can drive:
You can also drive motorbikes in categories A1 and A2. |
Light Vehicles and Quad Bikes
| Category | Meaning |
|---|---|
| B1 | You can drive motor vehicles with 4 wheels up to 400kg unladen or 550kg if they’re designed for carrying goods. |
Cars
| Category | Meaning |
|---|---|
| B to 12/96 |
You’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM). View your driving licence information to check.
You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM. |
| B 01/97 on |
You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg MAM with up to 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg).
You can also tow heavier trailers if the total MAM of the vehicle and trailer is not more than 3,500kg. You can drive motor tricycles with a power output higher than 15kW if you are over 21 years old. Physically disabled drivers with provisional category B entitlement will also have provisional entitlement to ride category A1 or A motor tricycles. |
| B (Auto) |
You can drive a category B vehicle – but only an automatic one. |
| BE | You can drive a vehicle with a MAM of 3,500kg with a trailer.
The size of the trailer depends on the BE ‘valid from’ date shown on your licence. If the date is:
|
Medium-Sized Vehicles
| Category | Meaning |
|---|---|
| C1 | You can drive vehicles between 3,500 and 7,500kg MAM (with a trailer up to 750kg). |
| C1E |
Category C1EYou can drive C1 category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg. The combined MAM of both cannot exceed 12,000kg. |
Large Vehicles
| Category | Meaning |
|---|---|
| C | You can drive vehicles over 3,500kg (with a trailer up to 750kg MAM). |
| CE | You can drive category C vehicles with a trailer over 750kg. |
Minibuses
| Category | Meaning |
|---|---|
| D1 | You can drive vehicles with:
|
| D1E | You can drive D1 category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg MAM.
The combined MAM of both cannot exceed 12,000kg. |
Buses
| Category | Meaning |
|---|---|
| D | You can drive any bus with more than 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg MAM). |
| DE | You can drive D category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg. |
Other Categories
| Category | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 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 |