Contents
List of Driving Licenses in London, UK
You must have an “entitlement” for that category on your driving licence to operate a specific type of vehicle.
Mopeds
2-wheeled or 3-wheeled vehicles with a top design speed of over 25 km/h (15.5 mph) but under 45 km/h (28 mph) are legal for driving. Light quad bikes fall under this group as well.
- 350 kg maximum unladen mass (excluding batteries if it’s an electric vehicle)
- a maximum design speed of over 25 km/h (15.5 mph), but under 45 km/h (28 mph).
Category P
- 2-wheeled vehicles can be driven up to a maximum design speed of 50 km/h (31 mph), but not more than 45 km/h (28 mph).
- If an internal combustion engine is used to power it, the engine size cannot exceed 50cc.
Category Q
Without using pedals, you can operate 3- and 2-wheeled vehicles by using:
- A maximum engine size of 50 cc when using an internal combustion engine.
- a maximum design speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph) or less.
- Trial e-scooters are also included in this category.
Motorcycles
Category A1
You can drive light motorbikes with:
- an engine size up to 125cc
- a power output of up to 11kW
- a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 0.1 kW/kg.
Additionally, motor tricycles with a maximum power output of 15kW fall under this category.
Category A2
You can drive motorbikes with a:
- power output up to 35kW
- The maximum power-to-weight ratio is 0.2 kW/kg.
- A vehicle with a power output greater than double that of the motorbike is likewise prohibited.
- You can also drive motorbikes in category A1.
Category A
You can drive:
- motorcycles that produce more than 35kW of power or have a power-to-weight ratio greater than 0.2 kW/kg
- motor tricycles that are more powerful than 15kW
- Motorcycles in categories A1 and A2 are also permissible for use.
Light vehicles and quad bikes
Category B1
- Motor vehicles with four wheels can be driven up to 400 kg when empty or 550 kg when they are made to transport cargo.
Cars
Category B – if you passed your test before 1 January 1997
- The typical maximum authorised mass (MAM) for a vehicle and caravan combination is 8,250 kg. Check by looking at the data on your driver’s licence.
- A trailer weighing more than 750 kg MAM may be pulled behind a minibus.
Category B – if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997
- You are permitted to operate vehicles with up to 8 passenger seats and a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 3,500kg.
- A caravan that weighs up to 3,500 kg MAM can be towed.
- If you are above 21, you can operate motor tricycles with a power output of more than 15kW.
- Drivers physically challenged and holding a Category B provisional licence will also get a Category A1 or A motor tricycle provisional licence.
Category B auto
A Category B vehicle can be driven only if it is automatic.
Category BE
A vehicle with a 3,500kg maximum allowed mass (MAM) can be driven while towing a trailer.
The BE “valid from” date on your licence determines the trailer’s size. If:
- Before January 19, 2013, you can tow any size trailer within the vehicle’s allowable towing restrictions.
- On or after January 19, 2013, you may tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500 kg as long as you stay within the vehicle’s towing limits.
Medium-sized vehicles
Category C1
- You are permitted to operate vehicles with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) between 3,500 and 7,500 kg (with a trailer up to 750 kg).
Category C1E
- If your caravan weighs more than 750 kg, you can drive C1 category vehicles.
- Both cannot exceed a combined maximum allowed mass (MAM) of 12,000kg.
Large vehicles
Category C
- Vehicles exceeding 3,500 kg may be driven with trailers weighing up to 750 kg MAM.
Category CE
- With a trailer weighing more than 750 kg, category C vehicles can be driven.
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
- Driving D1 category vehicles with a trailer over 750 kg MAM is permitted.
- Both cannot have a MAM that is greater than 12,000kg.
Buses
Category D
- Any bus with more than 8 passenger seats may be driven with a trailer weighing up to 750 kg (MAM).
Category DE
- D-category vehicles can tow a trailer weighing more than 750 kg.
Other categories
| Category | The 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 |