Vehicle Licence Categories

• MAM – Maximum Authorised Mass  • GVW – Gross Vehicle Weight (equivalent to MAM)
• GTW – Gross Train Weight (Total weight of tractor unit plus trailer plus load) • RFS – Road Friendly Suspension (air or air equivalent)

Goods Vehicle Driving Licence Categories

A vehicle not over 3,500kg (3.5t) MAM with not more than eight seats (plus the driver). Plus: a trailer where the trailer’s MAM does not exceed 750kg or the MAM of vehicle and trailer is not over 3,500kg.

 

B+E

Category B vehicle with MAM of 3,500kg, with a trailer
• If B+E valid from before 19th January 2013 – any size trailer within the towing limits of the vehicle.
• If B+E valid on or after this date – trailer with MAM up to 3,500kg within the towing limits of the vehicle.


C1

Vehicle over 3,500kg but below 7,500kg (7.5t) MAM. May draw a trailer of up to 750kg (‘Car’ licences issued before January 1997 have automatic rights to drive up to 7.5t. Licences issued after then do not allow holders to drive vehicles between 3.5t and 7.5t, which require a C1 test).


C1 + E

Combination of C1 vehicle with a trailer over 750kg. Combined MAM cannot exceed 12,000kg. (For licences issued prior to 1997, category is restricted to 8.25t MAM).


C

Any vehicle exceeding 3,500kg MAM, other than those in categories DFGH, including a trailer not over 750kg (i.e. all rigid LGVs – the old HGV class 2 and 3 licences).


C+E

Combination where the prime mover is in Category C, with a trailer over 750kg (equivalent to old HGV Class 1 – covers all articulated and drawbar trailer combinations).

 

 

 

Maximum Goods Vehicle Weights

Rigids

2 axle – 18,000kg
3 axle – 26,000kg*
4 axle – 32,000kg, outer axle spread at least 6.4m*


Drawbar Combinations

26,000kg – three axles**
29,500kg – if trailer has only overrun breaks
36,000kg – four axles**
40,000kg – five axles**
41,000kg – six axles, driving axles not exceeding 10.5 tonnes, trailer axles have RFS, driving axles over 8.5 tonnes have twin tyres or RFS
44,000kg – intermodal transport on six axles, driving axles not exceeding 8.5 tonnes or have RFS or twin tyres


Articulated combinations

Operations at GVWs above 44 tonnes are covered by Special Types General Order (STGO). The number of axles does not necessarily indicate the GVW. Check the tax disc and /or plate.

26,000kg – 2+1 axles
36,000kg – 2+2 axles
38,000kg – two-axle tractor not over 18,000kg with twin tyres and RFS, plus two-axle trailer with axle weights not exceeding 20,000kg
40,000kg – five-axle combination
41,000kg – six-axle combination; as 41 tonne drawbar
44,000kg – six-axle combination; on intermodal work, three-axle tractor, then as 44-tonne drawbar


Maximum axle weights

10,000kg – single (non-driving)
11,500kg – single (driving)
19,000kg – tandem (driving)
20,000kg – tandem (non-driving)
24,000kg – tri-axle bogie

Note: Maximum axle weights vary considerably depending on the number of axles, their spacings, outer axle spreads and the type of tyres and suspension, plus the VED category.

*Driving axles fitted with twin tyres and RFS or that do not exceed 9.5 tonnes.
**Distance from rear vehicle axle to front trailer axle is at least 3 metres.

 

 

 

Disclaimer – The details provided on the page are for information only.
You are advised to take professional advice if you wish to be confident that you are complying with any relevant legislation.