Driving licence categories & codes explained
Find out which category your driving licence is and learn about licence codes in this handy guide
)
Driving licence categories and codes: what are they?
If you’re trying to make sense of driving licence codes and categories, you’re in the right place.
And if you’re not sure what they are, they’re the little icons of different vehicles with dates and numbers next to them.
Essentially, they give information about the driver – and they're not as random as you might think.
So, for a bit more background on driving licence small print, read our guide below.
)
Categories
Driving licence categories sit in section nine on the back of your driving licence. They have a combination of one, two, or three letters and numbers next to an icon of different types of vehicles.
They show the vehicles you’re allowed to drive - from mopeds, motorcycles and cars, right up to buses, trailers and vehicles up to 7,500kg.
The most common driving licence category is Category B. A ‘B’ mark on your licence means you can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg with up to eight passengers (not including you as the driver). You can also tow a trailer up to 750kg (including its maximum load).
If you got your driving licence before 1 January 1997, a category B licence lets you drive vehicles (including the weight of a trailer, if applicable) up to 8,250kg. This includes minibuses with trailers over 750kg.
For reference, all weights are known as ‘maximum authorised mass’ (MAM) by the DVLA, which basically just means the combined weight of what you’re driving. So, that could be the vehicle on its own or include the trailer and maximum trailer load.
Codes
)
Driving licence codes are also printed on the back of your licence. They fall under section 12 and refer to any conditions you have to meet before getting on the road.
There are over 50 codes, and each one correlates to a condition such as eyesight correction, hearing/communication aid, and pedal adaptations.
Driving licence categories explained
There’s a massive range of driving licence categories to get your head around but don’t worry – it’s not something that’s going to come up on your driving tests.
The important thing is just being aware of what you are, and aren’t, allowed to drive. Here’s a quick explainer on each of the categories to help.
Moped driving licence categories
AM
You can drive:
Two- or three-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed (the intended speed a car should drive at) of over 15.5mph (25km/h), but no more than 28mph (45km/h)
Light quad bikes up to 425kg (not including batteries if it’s electric)
Motorcycle driving licence categories
A1
You can drive:
Light motorbikes with an engine up to 125cc, up to 11kW (14.7hp) power output, and a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.1kW/kg
Also includes motor tricycles with up to 15kW (20hp) power output
A2
You can drive:
Motorbikes with a power output up to 35kW, with a power- to- weight ratio of no more than 0.2W/kg
A
You can drive:
Motorbikes with a power output over 35kW, or a power-to-weight ratio more than 0.2kW/kg
Motor tricycles with a power output more than 15kW
Light vehicle & quad bike driving licence categories
B1
You can drive:
Motor vehicles with four wheels up to 400kg (or 550kg if it’s designed to carry goods)
)
Car driving licence categories
B (if you passed your test before 1 January 1997)
You can drive:
Usually, vehicles (and trailers) with a combined weight up to 8,250kg
Minibuses with a trailer over 750kg
B (if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997)
You can drive:
Vehicles up to 3,500kg with up to 8 passenger seats (not including the driver)
A trailer up to 750kg (as long as the combined weight of vehicle and trailer is below 3,500kg)
Motor tricycles with a power output higher than 15kW if you’re over 21years old
B auto
You can drive:
Only automatic category B vehicles
We have plenty of used automatic cars that can be driven with a B auto licence.
BE (licence valid on or after 19 January 2013)
You can drive:
Vehicles with a maximum authorized mass (MAM) of 3,500kg with a trailer up to 3,500kg (within towing limits of the vehicle)
Medium-sized vehicles driving licence categories
C1
You can drive:
Vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg
Plus, a trailer up to 750kg
C1E
You can drive:
A C1 category vehicle with a trailer over 750kg
The combined maximum authorised mass (MAM) of the two can’t go over 12,000kg
Large vehicles driving licence categories
C
You can drive:
Vehicles over 3,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg
CE
You can drive:
Category C vehicles with a trailer over 750kg
Minibuses driving licence categories
D1
You can drive vehicles with:
No more than 16 passenger seats
A trailer up to 750kg
A length shorter than eight meters
D1E
You can drive:
D1 category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg, though the combined weight of both can’t go over 12,000kg
Buses driving licence categories
D
You can drive:
Any bus with more than eight passenger seats, plus a trailer up to 750kg
DE
You can drive:
Category G vehicles with a trailer over 750kg
Other categories
There are a few other categories that might show up on your licence, but these aren’t as common.
You might see categories such as:
F - agricultural tractors
G - road rollers
H - tracked vehicles
K - mowing machine or pedestrian-controlled vehicles
L - electrically-propelled vehicles
M - trolley vehicles
N - exempt from duty
P – two-wheeled vehicles with a maximum speed between 28-31mph
Q - two- and three-wheeled vehicles without pedals
What vehicles don’t require a licence?
Getting your driving licence is a huge milestone, but there are some vehicles you can drive in the UK without passing your test.
You don’t need a licence to drive mobility scooters, powered wheelchairs or electric bikes.
You can also drive a vehicle with only a provisional licence if there’s an adult over 21 years old in the car who’s had a full licence for over three years.
)
Driving licence codes explained
Like we mentioned earlier, there are 50 driving licence codes that lay out the conditions you must meet before driving a car.
These codes can reference things like health conditions or disabilities that need to be considered as a driver, making sure you’re safe on the road.
Most common driving licence codes
Common licence codes include ‘01’ for eyesight correction. This means you can’t legally drive without wearing your glasses or contact lenses.
Other common codes include ‘02’ for hearing or communication aid, ‘31’ for pedal adaptations, and ‘40’ for modified steering.
There are some other common codes that cover things like how many people you can fit in your vehicle and the types of transmission. For example, code ‘111’ means you’re limited to 16 passenger seats, and ‘78’ means you’re limited to automatic cars only.
Full list of driving licence codes
The official DVLA explanation for licence codes is:
01 - eyesight correction, like glasses or contact lenses
02 - hearing/communication aid
10 - modified transmission
15 - modified clutch
20 - modified braking systems
25 - modified accelerator systems
30 - combined braking and accelerator systems (for licences issued before 28 November 2016)
31 - pedal adaptations and pedal safeguards
32 - combined service brake and accelerator systems
33 - combined service brake, accelerator and steering systems
35 - modified control layouts
40 - modified steering
42 - modified rear-view mirror(s)
43 - modified driving seats
44 - modifications to motorbikes
44 (1) - single operated brake
44 (2) - adapted front wheel brake
44 (3) - adapted rear wheel brake
44 (4) - adapted accelerator
44 (5) - (adjusted) manual transmission and manual clutch
44 (6) - (adjusted) rear-view mirror(s)
44 (7) - (adjusted) commands (direction indicators, braking light, etc)
44 (8) - seat height allowing the driver, in sitting position, to have two feet on the surface at the same time and balance the motorcycle during stopping and standing
44 (11) - adapted footrest
44 (12) - adapted hand grip
45 - motorbikes only with sidecar
46 - tricycles only (for licences issued before 29 June 2014)
70 - exchange of licence
71 - duplicate of licence
78 - restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission
79 - restricted to vehicles in conformity with the specifications stated in brackets on your licence
79 (2) - restricted to category AM vehicles of the three-wheel or light quadricycle type
79 (3) - restricted to tricycles
96 - allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer where the trailer weighs at least 750kg, and the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is between 3,500kg and 4,250kg
97 - not allowed to drive category C1 vehicles which are required to have a tachograph fitted
101 - not for hire or reward - for profit
102 - drawbar trailers only
103 - subject to certificate of competence
105 - vehicle not more than 5.5 metres long
106 - restricted to vehicles with automatic transmissions
107 - not more than 8,250kg
108 - subject to minimum age requirements
110 - limited to transporting persons with restricted mobility
111 - limited to 16 passenger seats
113 - limited to 16 passenger seats except for automatics
114 - with any special controls required for safe driving
115 - organ donor
118 - start date is for earliest entitlement
119 - weight limit for vehicle does not apply
121 - restricted to conditions specified in the Secretary of State’s notice
122 - valid on successful completion of the Basic Moped Training Course (doesn’t apply to trial e-scooters)
125 - tricycles only (for licences issued before 29 June 2014)