LGV Licence Categories & Entitlements Codes
Obtaining an HGV or LGV licence is a route to a rewarding career and more drivers are needed now that the digital economy is growing and more businesses move online. For a driver to upgrade and gain a HGV licence will, without doubt, provide a wealth of experience in the Transport & Logistic sector and open many career opportunities into transport management, enforcement or even becoming an O licence operator running a business.
On 19 January 2013, the DVLA, DVANI updated driving licences categories to meet EU regulations for driving licences issued to drivers of LGV and HGV Trucks, Minibuses, Large Buses and Coaches (PCV) when passing a new driving test, updating or renewing a full driving licence. For vocational drivers, these category entitlements will be valid for a maximum period of 5 years only, before they are renewed by updating CPC skills through completing 35 hrs of training.
Current Driving Licence Categories & Entitlements
From 19 January 2013 driving licences changed and now look different to comply with new EU rules.
|
Old |
Vehicles you can drive |
New |
|
A |
Motorbike with a maximum speed of more than 50km or with an engine over 50cc |
A1, A2 and A (depending on the size of a motorbike) |
|
B1 |
A vehicle with 4 wheels up to 400kg unladen, or 550kg if intended to carry goods |
B1 |
|
B |
Vehicle up to 3,500kg MAM carrying no more than 8 passengers plus driver, with a trailer up to 750kg (or with a trailer over 750kg if combined vehicle and trailer weight isn’t more than 3,500kg MAM) |
B |
|
BE |
Category B vehicle with a trailer, when the combined weight of vehicle and trailer is over 3,500kg |
BE |
|
C |
Vehicle over 3,500kg MAM carrying no more than 8 passengers plus driver, with a trailer up to 750kg |
C |
|
CE |
Vehicle over 3,500kg MAM carrying no more than 8 passengers plus driver, with a trailer over 750kg |
C |
|
C1 |
Vehicle between 3,500kg and 7,500kg carrying no more than 8 passengers plus driver, with a trailer up to 750kg |
C1 |
|
C1E |
Vehicle between 3,500kg and 7,500kg carrying no more than 8 passengers plus driver, with a trailer over 750kg and a combined weight of no more than 8,250kg |
C1E (with restriction code 107) |
|
C1E |
Vehicle between 3,500kg and 7,500kg carrying no more than 8 passengers plus driver, with a trailer over 750kg and a combined weight of no more than 12,000kg |
C1E |
|
D |
Bus with more than 8 passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg |
D |
|
DE |
Bus with more than 8 passenger seats with a trailer over 750kg |
DE |
|
D1 |
A vehicle with up to 16 passenger seats plus driver, with trailer up to 750kg |
D1 (with restriction code 101 and 111) |
|
D1 |
A vehicle with up to 16 passenger seats plus driver, with trailer up to 750kg |
D1 |
|
D1E |
A vehicle with up to 16 passenger seats plus driver, with a trailer over 750kg |
D1E (with restriction code 101,111 and 119) |
|
D1E |
A vehicle with up to 16 passenger seats plus driver, with a trailer over 750kg |
D1E |
|
f |
Agricultural tractor |
f |
|
G |
Road roller |
G |
|
H |
Tracked vehicle |
H |
|
k |
Mowing machine or pedestrian-controlled vehicle |
k |
|
l |
Electrically propelled vehicle |
l |
|
p |
Moped up to 50cc (max speed 50km/h) |
AM, P and Q |
|
M |
Vehicles are limited to trolley vehicles |
M |
|
n |
Vehicles (exempt from duty) |
n |
Driving Licence Restriction Codes
The codes printed on the back of a driving licence show which conditions must be met to drive. Some codes may be different in Northern Ireland.
The codes and their meanings are as follows:
01 - eyesight correction, for example, 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 a 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 - a duplicate of the 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 3-wheel or light quadricycle type
79 (3) - restricted to tricycles
96 - allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer where the trailer weighs at least 750 kg, and the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is between 3,500 kg and 4,250 kg
97 - not allowed to drive category C1 vehicles which are required to have a tachograph fitted
101 - not for hire or reward (that is, not to make a 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 8,250 kilograms
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 the vehicle does not apply
121 - restricted to conditions specified in the Secretary of State’s notice
122 - valid on successful completion of Basic Moped Training Course. This does not apply to trial e-scooters
125 - tricycles only (for licences issued before 29 June 2014)
Remember, if there is a licence restriction (code) on a driver's licence, such as 01 eyesight correction, for example, glasses or contact lenses, and the driver fails to adhere to it, in the event of an accident, the failure could result in those actions invalidating the driver's insurance which would result in the drier being prosecuted for driving whilst uninsured.
If a driver passed a car test (category B) before 1 January 1997 he/she is entitled to automatically hold licence categories BE, C1, C1E, D1 and D1E without having to take a modern or additional driving test. These additional categories are more commonly known as 'Acquired Rights' or 'Grandfather Rights'
The following links provide guidance and further information
Driving Licence Categories - https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories