UK Driving Licence - Vehicle Categorys?

Question

Class B - Car

Class E - Trailer

Class P - Moped

Class B+E = Car and trailer (common sense)

Class C - Van (transit size)

When taking the car test, you are legally allowed to drive Class B, and also vans.

If you passed your driving test after 1997, it is compulsory to take a B+E driving test to qualify you to drive larger trailers and caravans.

However by taking B+E, I should also be legally allowed to tow that trailer (E) with a van as I'm also allowed to drive vans.

But there is also a C+E Test.

Can I tow a trailer with a van if I have a car trailer licence, and I can drive vans anyway?

Sounds complicated, but its easy really.

Answer 1

First of all the cat C is actually for rigid vehicles over 3.5 tonnes the C + E test is for articulated lorries. You do not need either to drive a van with a trailer as long as the van is not over 3.5 tonnes. I also believe that you only need a B+E license if the trailer is over a certain weight & I don't think you even need it for caravans at all!

Answer 2

you can look on the web site  www.dvla.co.uk

Answer 3

Yeah the guy above is kinda correct

C1 is for vehicles with MAM of 3500-7500kgs (*****edit - and a trailer up to MAM 750kgs. if you want a trailer over MAM 750kgs you need C1+E*****)

C is for lorries over 7500kgs with trailer up to MAM 750kgs

C+E is for lorries over 7500kgs and a trailer over MAM 750kgs (articulated lorries)

As long as your car / van is under MAM 3500kgs and your trailer is up to MAM 750kgs and the MAM of the trailer DOES NOT exceed the unladen weight of your car / van you can use catergory B on your licence

The only time you need B+E is if your trailer MAM is OVER 750kgs

Hope this helps :)