Licence categories

B - Car Licence

A vehicle up to 3,500kg MAM (e.g. car, 4x4 or van), towing a trailer upto 750kg MAM* (trailers 750kg MAM and under, are easily recognisable because they don't have a braking system and handbrake built into the drawbar).

* You may be able to tow a heavier trailer with a car, if a certain criteria is met:

The overall train weight is not more than 3,500kg MAM
The MAM of the trailer is not greater than the kerb weight of the towing vehicle.
Driving Test Requirement:

Minimum age is 17.
You must have your B provisional licence
No medical required. (you must be able to read a number plate at 20 metres).
Car Theory Test required. (Multiple-Choice & Hazard Perception Test).
Note: If you passed your car driving test before 1997, you will have automatically received Grandfather Rights for: B+E, C1, C1+E (107), D1, and D1+E. If you passed in 1997 or after, you only got a licence to drive a car!

B+E - Car & Trailer

A vehicle up to 3,500kg MAM (e.g. car, 4x4 or van), towing a trailer over 750kg MAM (trailers 750kg and under, don't have a braking system built into the drawbar!).

Minimum age is 17.
You must have your full car driving licence. (B+E provisional entitlement is automatically added when you pass you car test).
No medical required. (You must be able to read a number plate at 20 metres).
No theory test to take. (The one you took for your car test covers you).
Note: If you passed your car driving test before 1997, you will have received your B+E Grandfather Rights automatically. This means you can tow any trailer that your car is legally able to pull. (Check your car's handbook, or work it out from the VIN plate, usually under the bonnet).

C1 - 7.5 Tonner

A vehicle up to 7,500kg MAM, towing a trailer 750kg MAM or less

Minimum age is 18.
Medical required. (This will last until your 45th birthday, or for 5 years if you are already over 40).
You must have your full car driving licence with C1 provisional entitlement.
You must pass both the LGV Theory Test and Hazard Perception.
You may require the Driver CPC Initial Qualification.
Note: If you passed your car driving test befrore 1997, you will have received your C1 Grandfather Rights automatically, so you aren't required to take this test.

C1+E - 7.5 Tonner and Trailer

A vehicle up to 7,500kg MAM towing a trailer over 750kg MAM (Maximum train weight is 12,000kg MAM)

Minimum age 18.
You must have your C1 drivers licence with C1+E provisional entitlement on it. (This is added automatically when you pass your C1 driving test).
No theory required if you did one for your C1.
Note: If you have passed your car driving test before 1997, you will have received C1 Grandfather Rights automatically. You will also have C1+E with code 107 against it, which means you can tow a trailer upto 750kg MAM. You will need to do your theory test before taking your C1+E driving test.

Cat C - Rigid (Class 2 & 3)

A vehicle over 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer 750kg MAM or less

Minimum age is now 18! (This changed from 21 years of age on 10th September 2009, but you are required to pass your Drivers CPC Initial Qualification tests).
Medical required. (This will last until your 45th birthday, or for 5 years if you are already over 40 when you have it).
You must have your full car driving licence with C provisional entitlement.
You must pass both the LGV Theory Test and the Hazard Perception test (unless you have previously passed your C1 driving test).
You may require the Driver CPC Initial Qualification if you want to drive commercially.