Driving licence categories

To drive a particular type of vehicle, you need an ‘entitlement’ for that category on your driving licence.

You can check online to see what vehicles you can drive.

Your entitlements may have additional restrictions. Check the restriction codes for your driving licence.

Driving licence categories are different in Northern Ireland.

You can check the definitions of vehicle weights to determine your driving licence category.

Mopeds

Category 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:

  • mass in running order of not more than 425kg (not including batteries if it’s an electric vehicle)
  • maximum design speed of over 25km/h (15.5mph) but not more than 45km/h (28mph)

Category 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.

Category Q

You can drive 2-wheeled and 3-wheeled vehicles without pedals with:

  • an engine size not more than 50cc if powered by an internal combustion engine
  • a maximum design speed of no more than 25km/h (15.5mph)

This category also includes trial e-scooters.

Motorcycles

Category A1

You can drive light motorbikes with:

  • an engine size up to 125cc
  • a power output of up to 11kW
  • a power to weight ratio not more than 0.1kW/kg

This category also includes motor tricycles with power output up to 15kW.

Category A2

You can drive motorbikes with a:

  • power output up to 35kW
  • power to weight ratio not more than 0.2kW/kg

The motorbike must also not be derived from a vehicle of more than double its power.

You can also drive motorbikes in category A1.

Category A

You can drive:

  • motorbikes with a power output more than 35kW or a power to weight ratio more than 0.2kW/kg
  • motor tricycles with a power output more than 15kW

You can also drive motorbikes in categories A1 and A2.

Light vehicles and quad bikes

Category B1

You can drive motor vehicles with 4 wheels up to 400kg unladen or 550kg if they’re designed for carrying goods.

Cars

Category B - if you passed your test before 1 January 1997

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.

Category B - if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997

You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) with up to 8 passenger seats.

You can tow a trailer that weighs up to 3,500kg MAM.

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.

Non-disabled drivers can no longer ride motor tricycles with a provisional category B licence.

Category B auto

You can drive a category B vehicle - but only an automatic one.

Category BE

You can drive a vehicle with a maximum authorised mass (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:

  • before 19 January 2013, you can tow any size trailer within the towing limits of the vehicle
  • on or after 19 January 2013, you can tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500kg within the towing limits of the vehicle

Medium-sized vehicles

Category C1

You can drive vehicles between 3,500 and 7,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) (with a trailer up to 750kg).

Category C1E

You can drive C1 category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg.

The combined maximum authorised mass (MAM) of both cannot exceed 12,000kg.

Large vehicles

Category C

You can drive vehicles over 3,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg maximum authorised mass (MAM).

Category CE

You can drive category C vehicles with a trailer over 750kg.

Minibuses

Category D1

You can drive vehicles with:

  • no more than 16 passenger seats
  • a maximum length of 8 metres
  • a trailer up to 750kg

Category D1E

You can drive D1 category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg maximum authorised mass (MAM).

The combined MAM of both cannot exceed 12,000kg.

Buses

Category D

You can drive any bus with more than 8 passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg maximum authorised mass (MAM).

Category DE

You can drive D category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg.

Other categories

Category Vehicle you can drive
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

You do not need a driving licence for electric bikes, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs.

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