Codes on Driving Licence

[spurs-442]

Hi All,

just a quick querey regarding the licence codes on your pinky - i passed my test on July 4th this year and i was wondering why i only have Catagory B, B1, f,k,p where as my dad has A cats and C+D Catagories even though he hasn't taken any other additional tests?

Did the DVLA stop putting down so many codes for a reason?

Cheers,

Chris.

[crr003]

Did the DVLA stop putting down so many codes for a reason?

1 Jan 1997 DVLA stopped giving out with the basic test pass:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Dr ... DG_4022547

More tests to make you pay for I guess.

Although allowing me to drive a 7.5T truck towing a trailer with no previous experience does seem daft - but legal!

[ScoobyChris]

I do wonder if it was a rare occurrence of common sense. As above, I'm entitled to drive a lot of things which I probably shouldn't be allowed to without specific further training!

Chris

[ROG]

Did the DVLA stop putting down so many codes for a reason?

1 Jan 1997 DVLA stopped giving out with the basic test pass:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Dr ... DG_4022547

More tests to make you pay for I guess.

Although allowing me to drive a 7.5T truck towing a trailer with no previous experience does seem daft - but legal!

This was the EU regs taking over from UK regs thing

[Red Herring]

I'd be surprised if his dad has got "A" (motorcycle) Cat if he hasn't ever done a bike test. Is it possible that he still has a very old licence and the A is in fact "group A", which if my memory serves me correctly used to be cars. (cue some OAP to correct me )

[spurs-442]

I'd be surprised if his dad has got "A" (motorcycle) Cat if he hasn't ever done a bike test. Is it possible that he still has a very old licence and the A is in fact "group A", which if my memory serves me correctly used to be cars. (cue some OAP to correct me )

Sorry i meant A1 not A

He did his CBT to get that but he's never taken any "full" additional tests

[Flexibase]

My Dad took a driving test, albeit many tears ago, on one (unknown) vehicle and, when asked which groups he required on his licence said "All Groups". For many years his licence said just that!

However, as others have indicated, the passing of a driving test since 1st January 1997 is now restricted to less groups, making more test passes necessary for larger vehicles ad trailers.

The following is an extract from those ever-useful reference CDs from
www.flexibase.freeserve.co.uk/power_poi ... tions.html :

Are you licensed to tow a trailer
or drive a Van, Minibus or Motorcaravan?
Drivers qualified from 1st January 1997
may first need to take an L test for each

Many current B licence holders have C1
(small lorry/van) & D1 (Minibus: 9 to 16 passenger seats)
so are qualified to drive these,

Drivers qualified after 1st January 1997:
Are only authorised to drive vehicles up to 3500 Kgs MAM
With trailers up to 750 kgs max. authorised mass (MAM) (which excludes many caravans) and with up to 8 passenger seats*

Or larger trailers if the combined vehicle and trailer weight does not exceed 3500kgs Max. Authorised Mass(MAM) (Horse trailers usually exceed this)
AND MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle

BUT
Safety advice: Trailer not to exceed 85% of towing vehicle’s weight: Caravan Club

A trailer test must be passed to qualify for classes B+E

A Minibus test must be passed for over 8 passenger seats*

A Medium goods vehicle test must be passed for vehicles over 3500 Kgs for C1+E

Licence summary
http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/NR/rdonlyr ... tshell.pdf

*There are exemptions for Minibuses used not for hire or reward under Minibus permits etc. - details appear on the Instructor/Observer/Tutor Training CD.

[spurs-442]

I read an interesting article a while ago which said that a fully laden Rolls Royce with some added safety fearures meant that you needed a catagory C licence to drive it as it exceeded 3.5 tonnes

[jbsportstech]

It does seem unfair they just dropped it as I passed my test 1999 and so only have 3.5 ton. My best mate is 1 year younger than me and has volvo s80 (due to the fact its a bus 1581kg) so the caravan was about 1400 odd kg laiden weight so the exceed the 1290kg focus and the total package didnt exceed 3500kg and so he can tow a 4 berth caravan with that legally with no extra training but with my focus I cannot as the focus is not heavy enough.