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Subcategory D1: Passenger carrying vehicles 9 - 16 passenger seats

Subcategory D1 vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM. There is no upper weight limit for subcategory D1 vehicles. In order to gain this entitlement category B licence holders have to meet higher medical standards and pass both theory and practical tests for subcategory D1.

Subcategory D1+E: Passenger carrying vehicles 9-16 passenger seats with a trailer above 750kgs MAM

Subcategory D1+E vehicles may be combined with trailers over 750kgs provided the combination does not exceed 12 tonnes MAM and the laden weight of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle. The trailer must not be used for the carriage of passengers. In order to gain this entitlement category B licence holders have to pass further tests - subcategory D1 (theory and practical) followed by D1+E practical. There is no subcategory D1+E theory test. It is not possible to go directly from category B to subcategory D1+E.

Category C: Large goods vehicles above 3.5 tonnes MAM

Category C vehicles may be combined with trailers up to 750kgs MAM. The directive does not impose an upper weight limit threshold for category C vehicles and the national limits will apply. In order to gain this entitlement category B licence holders have to pass theory and practical tests for category C. (It is not necessary to gain subcategory C1 entitlement first.)

Category C+E: Large goods vehicles above 3.5 tonnes MAM towing trailer over 750kgs MAM

Category C+E vehicles may be combined with a trailer over 750kgs MAM. The directive does not impose an upper weight limit for category C+E and national limits apply. In order to gain this entitlement category B licence holders have to pass further tests - category C (theory and practical) followed by C+E practical. There is no category C+E theory test. (It is not necessary to gain subcategory C1 or C1+E entitlement first).

Category D: Passenger carrying vehicle with more than eight seats

Category D vehicles may be combined with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM. The directive does not impose an upper weight limit for category D vehicles and national limits apply. In order to gain this entitlement category B licence holders have to pass theory and practical tests for category D. (It is not necessary to gain subcategory D1 entitlement first).

Category D+E: Passenger carrying vehicle with more than eight seats with trailer over 750kgs MAM

Category D+E vehicles may be combined with a trailer over 750kgs MAM. The directive does not impose an upper weight limit for category D+E and national limits apply. In order to gain this entitlement category B licence holders have to pass further tests - category D (theory and practical) followed by D+E practical. There is no category D+E theory test. (It is not necessary to gain subcategory D1 or D1+E entitlement first).

Useful Contacts

• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) contacts

• Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) contacts