The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999

Categories of entitlement E+W+S

Classification of vehicles E+W+S

[F1 4.— (1) Subject to regulations 5 and 78, the Secretary of State shall grant licences authorising the driving of motor vehicles in accordance with—

(a) the categories and sub-categories specified in column (1) and defined in column (2) of Parts 1 to 3 and 5 and 6 of Schedule 2;

(b) the former categories and former sub-categories specified in column (1) and defined in column (2) of Part 4 of Schedule 2, other than former category P and former sub-category B1;

(c) the class defined in column (2) of Part 4 of Schedule 2 opposite former sub-category B1 specified in column (1); and

(d) the class defined in column (2) of Part 4 of Schedule 2 opposite former category P specified in column (1).

(2) The categories and sub-categories referred to in paragraph (1)(a) and (b), other than former category P and former sub-category B1, are designated as groups for the purposes of section 89(1)(b) of the Traffic Act.

(3) In these Regulations, expressions relating to vehicle categories have the following meanings—

(a) save for references to a former category or a former sub-category, any reference to a category or sub-category identified by letter, number or word or by any combination of letters, numbers and words is a reference to the category or sub-category defined in column (2) of Schedule 2 opposite that letter or combination in column (1) of the Schedule,

(b) “sub-category” means, in relation to category A, B, C, C+E, D or D+E, a class of vehicles comprising part of the category and identified as a sub-category in column (2) of Schedule 2,

(c) unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to a category includes a reference to sub-categories of that category,

(d) save for references to “former sub-category B1”, “former category N” or “former category P”, a reference to a former category or a former sub-category identified by letter, number or word or by any combination of letters, numbers and words is a reference to the former category or former sub-category defined in column (2) of Part 4 of Schedule 2 opposite the letter or combination in column (1),

(e) “former sub-category B1” means a class of vehicle having three or four wheels and an unladen weight not exceeding 550 kilograms,

(f) “former category N” means vehicles which were exempted from vehicle excise duty under section 7(1) of the Vehicle (Excise) Act 1971, and

(g) “former category P” means a class of vehicle having fewer than four wheels, a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 kilometres per hour and, if propelled by an internal combustion engine, a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimetres.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 4 substituted (19.1.2013) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/977), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 3

Classes for which licences may be granted E+W+S

5.—(1) A licence authorising the driving of motor vehicles of a class included in a category or sub-category shown in Part 1 of Schedule 2 may be granted to a person who is entitled thereto by virtue of—

(a) holding or having held a full licence, a full Northern Ireland licence, full British external licence, full British Forces licence, exchangeable licence or Community licence authorising the driving of vehicles of that class, or

(b) having passed a test for a licence authorising the driving of motor vehicles of that class or a Northern Ireland or Gibraltar test corresponding to such a test.

(2) A licence authorising the driving of motor vehicles of a class included in any category or sub-category shown in Part 2 of Schedule 2 may not be granted to a person unless, at a time before 1st January 1997—

(a) in the case of a person applying for a full licence,—

(i) he held a full licence authorising the driving of motor vehicles of that class or a class which by virtue of these Regulations corresponds to a class included in that category or sub-category, or

(ii) he passed a test which at the time it was passed authorised the driving of motor vehicles of such a class or a Northern Ireland test corresponding to such a test;

(b) in the case of a person applying for a provisional licence, he held a provisional licence authorising the driving of vehicles of that class or a class which by virtue of these Regulations corresponds to a class included in that category or sub-category.

(3) A licence authorising the driving of motor vehicles included in sub-category B1 (invalid carriages), which are specified in Part 3 of Schedule 2, may not be granted to a person unless, at a time before 12th November 1999—

(a) in the case of a person applying for a full licence, he held a full licence authorising the driving of motor vehicles included in sub-category B1 (invalid carriages) or a class of motor vehicles which by virtue of these Regulations corresponds to vehicles included in that sub-category, or

(b) in the case of a person applying for a provisional licence, he held a provisional licence authorising the driving of motor vehicles included in sub-category B1 (invalid carriages) or a class of motor vehicles which by virtue of these Regulations corresponds to vehicles included in that sub-category.

[F2 (4) A licence authorising the driving of motor vehicles of a class shown in column (2) of Part 4 of Schedule 2 opposite a former category or former sub-category (as the case may be) shown in column (1) of that part of that Schedule may not be granted to a person unless, before 19th January 2013, that person held a licence authorising the driving of motor vehicles of that class or passed a test for a licence authorising the driving of motor vehicles of that class.

(5) A licence authorising the driving of category Q vehicles may not be granted to a person unless that person is entitled—

(a) in accordance with paragraph (1), to be granted a full licence authorising the driving of motor vehicles of a class included in category AM, A or B; or

(b) in accordance with paragraph (4), to be granted a full licence authorising the driving of category P vehicles.

(6) A licence authorising the driving of motor vehicles of a class included in category B96, which are specified in Part 6 of Schedule 2, may be granted to a person who is entitled thereto by virtue of holding, or having held, a Community licence authorising the driving of that class.]

Textual Amendments

F2 Reg. 5(4)-(6) added (19.1.2013) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/977), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 4

Competence to drive classes of vehicle: general E+W+S

6.—(1) Where a person holds, or has held, a relevant full licence authorising him to drive vehicles included in any category or, as the case may be, sub-category he is deemed competent to drive—

(a) vehicles of all classes included in that category or sub-category unless by that licence he is or was authorised to drive—

(i) only motor vehicles of a specified class within that category or sub-category, in which case he shall be deemed competent to drive only vehicles of that class, or

(ii) only motor vehicles adapted on account of a disability, in which case he shall be deemed competent to drive only such classes of vehicle included in that category or sub-category as are so adapted (and for the purposes of this paragraph, [F3 a three-wheeled moped, a light quadricycle, a motor tricycle or] a motor bicycle with a side-car may be treated in an appropriate case as a motor vehicle adapted on account of a disability),

and

(b) all classes of vehicle included in any other category or sub-category which is specified in column (3) of Schedule 2 as an additional category or sub-category in relation to that category or sub-category unless by that licence he is or was authorised to drive—

(i) only motor vehicles having automatic transmission, in which case he shall, subject to paragraph (2), be deemed competent to drive only such classes of motor vehicle included in the additional category or sub-category as have automatic transmission, or

(ii) only motor vehicles adapted on account of a disability, in which case he shall be deemed competent to drive only such classes of vehicle included in the additional category or sub-category as are so adapted.

(2) Where the additional category is F, K or [F4 AM], paragraph (1)(b)(i) shall not apply.

[F5 (2A) Where a relevant full licence authorises the driving of vehicles included in category B and the additional category is category Q or AM, the holder is not deemed competent to drive category Q vehicles or vehicles in category AM unless the licence authorises the driving of such vehicles in accordance with regulation 43(3) and (5).]

(3) In this regulation and regulations 7 and 8, “relevant full licence” means a full licence granted under Part III of the Traffic Act, a full Northern Ireland licence or a Community licence.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in reg. 6(1)(a)(ii) inserted (19.1.2013) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/977), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 5(a)

F4 Word in reg. 6(2) substituted (19.1.2013) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/977), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 5(b)

F5 Reg. 6(2A) inserted (19.1.2013) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/977), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 5(c)

Competence to drive classes of vehicle: special cases E+W+S

7.—F6 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) A person who holds a relevant full licence authorising the driving of vehicles included in category D, other than vehicles included in sub-category D1 or D1 (not for hire or reward), may drive a passenger-carrying vehicle recovery vehicle unless by that licence he is authorised to drive only vehicles having automatic transmission, in which case he shall be deemed competent to drive only passenger-carrying vehicle recovery vehicles having automatic transmission.

(3) A person may drive an incomplete large vehicle—

(a) having a working weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes if he holds a relevant full licence authorising the driving of vehicles in sub-category C1, or

(b) having a working weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes if he holds a relevant full licence authorising the driving of vehicles in category C, other than vehicles in sub-category C1,

unless by that licence he is authorised to drive only motor vehicles having automatic transmission, in which case he shall be deemed competent to drive only incomplete large vehicles of the appropriate weight specified in paragraph (a) or (b) which have automatic transmission.

(4) A person who holds a relevant full licence authorising the driving of vehicles included in category B, other than vehicles in [F7 former sub-category B1 or sub-category] and B1 (invalid carriages), may drive—

(a) an exempted goods vehicle other than—

(i) a passenger-carrying vehicle recovery vehicle, or

(ii) a mobile project vehicle,

(b) an exempted military vehicle, and

(c) a passenger-carrying vehicle in respect of which the conditions specified in regulation 50(2) or (3) are satisfied,

unless by that licence he is authorised to drive only motor vehicles having automatic transmission, in which case he shall be deemed competent to drive only such of the vehicles mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) as have automatic transmission.

(5) A person who—

(a) holds a relevant full licence authorising the driving of vehicles of a class included in category B, other than vehicles in [F8 former sub-category B1 or sub-category] B1 (invalid carriages),

(b) has held that licence for an aggregate period of not less than 2 years, and

(c) is aged 21 or over,

may drive a mobile project vehicle on behalf of a non-commercial body—

(i) to or from the place where the equipment it carries is to be, or has been, used, or the display or exhibition is to be, or has been, mounted, or

(ii) to or from the place where a mechanical defect in the vehicle is to be, or has been, remedied, or

(iii) in such circumstances that by virtue of paragaph 22 of Schedule 2 to the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 F9 the vehicle is not chargeable with duty in respect of its use on public roads,

unless by that licence he is authorised to drive only vehicles having automatic transmission, in which case he shall be deemed competent to drive only mobile project vehicles having automatic transmission.

(6) A person who—

(a) holds a relevant full licence authorising the driving of vehicles of a class included in category B, other than vehicles in [F10 former sub-category B1 or sub-category] B1 (invalid carriages),

(b) has held that licence for an aggregate period of not less than 2 years,

(c) is aged 21 or over,

(d) if he is aged 70 or over, is not suffering from a relevant disability in respect of which the Secretary of State would be bound to refuse to grant him a Group 2 licence, and

(e) receives no consideration for so doing, other than out-of pocket expenses,

may drive, on behalf of a non-commercial body for social purposes but not for hire or reward, a vehicle of a class included in sub-category D1 which has no trailer attached and has a maximum authorised mass—

(i) not exceeding 3.5 tonnes, excluding any part of that weight which is attributable to specialised equipment intended for the carriage of disabled passengers, and

(ii) not exceeding 4.25 tonnes otherwise,

unless such a person is by that licence authorised to drive only vehicles having automatic transmission, in which case he shall be deemed competent to drive only such vehicles in sub-category D1 as conform to the above specification and have automatic transmission.

(7) A person who holds a relevant full licence authorising the driving of vehicles of a class included in category B, other than vehicles in [F11 former sub-category B1 or sub-category] B1 (invalid carriages), may drive a vehicle of a class included in category B+E where—

(a) the trailer consists of a vehicle which is damaged or defective and is likely to represent a road safety hazard or obstruction to other road users,

(b) the vehicle is driven only so far as is reasonably necessary in the circumstances to remove the hazard or obstruction, and

(c) he receives no consideration for driving the vehicle,

unless by that licence he is authorised to drive only motor vehicles having automatic transmission, in which case he shall be deemed competent to drive, in the circumstances mentioned above, only vehicles included in category B+E having automatic transmission.

[F12 (8) A person who holds a licence authorising the driving of vehicles included in category B and who has, before 1st February 2001, passed a test (or a Northern Ireland test of competence corresponding to such a test) for such a licence may drive a category P vehicle unless the test or, as the case may be, the practical test was passed on a motor vehicle which was adapted on account of a disability of the person taking the test in which case the person is authorised to drive only such category P vehicles as are so adapted.

(9) Where a person holds a full licence issued before 19th January 2013 authorising the driving of vehicles included in category A, that licence shall not in addition authorise the driving of vehicles in former sub-category B1 unless that person passed the test in respect of that licence (or a Northern Ireland test of competence corresponding to that test) before 1st February 2001.]

[F13 (10) A person who holds a relevant full licence authorising the driving of vehicles of a class included in category B, other than vehicles in former sub-category B1, sub-category B1 or sub-category B1 (invalid carriages) and is aged 21 or over may drive an A3 motor tricycle.]

Textual Amendments

F6 Reg. 7(1) omitted (29.12.2014) by virtue of The Road Traffic Act 1988 and Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/3190), regs. 1, 4

F7 Words in reg. 7(4) substituted (19.1.2013) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/977), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 6(a)

F8 Words in reg. 7(5)(a) substituted (19.1.2013) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/977), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 6(b)

F9 1994 c. 22.

F10 Words in reg. 7(6)(a) substituted (19.1.2013) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/977), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 6(b)

F11 Words in reg. 7(7) substituted (19.1.2013) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/977), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 6(b)

F12 Reg. 7(8)(9) inserted (19.1.2013) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/977), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 6(c)

F13 Reg. 7(10) inserted (10.4.2014) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/613), regs. 1, 3

Competence to drive classes of vehicle: dual purpose vehicles E+W+S

8.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a person who is a member of the armed forces of the Crown may drive a dual purpose vehicle when it is being used to carry passengers for naval, military or air force purposes—

(a) where the vehicle has a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes, if he holds a relevant full licence authorising the driving of vehicles included in category B other than vehicles in [F14 former sub-category B1 or sub-category] B1 (invalid carriages),

(b) where the vehicle has a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes, if he holds a relevant full licence authorising the driving of vehicles included in sub-category C1,

(c) in any other case, if he holds a relevant full licence authorising the driving of vehicles included in category C other than vehicles in sub-category C1.

(2) Where the person is authorised by his licence to drive only motor vehicles included in the relevant category or sub-category having automatic transmission, he may drive only dual purpose vehicles having automatic transmission.

Textual Amendments

F14 Words in reg. 8(1)(a) substituted (19.1.2013) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/977), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 7