What is a category C test? (2023)

What is a Category C driving test?

Category C

You can drive vehicles over 3,500kg (with a trailer up to 750kg MAM ).

The test starts off with the examiner asking you some vehicle safety questions, and is usually immediately followed by the reversing excercise. You then proceed to spend the next 50 minutes - 1 hour driving on the public road, going over through the test routes you would have hopefully practiced during your training.

Category C, otherwise known as Class 2, is the entry level license for professional HGV driving. This vehicle is very easy to drive, and handles in a similar way to a larger car or van. Career Opportunities: Local deliveries, courier, tipper/ skips driver. Course Duration: 4 Days.

Category B can mean one of two things depending on when you passed your test. If you passed before 1 January 1997, you're allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 8,250kg. You can also drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.

Class C's are fairly simple to drive, not so different than a moving van or truck. They are a great choice for family camping, short and long excursions, and even shuttling the kids and their soccer team to practice.

Once you have passed your LGV medical examination, you must then make an application to the DVLA for your category C1 provisional licence. In order to make this application, you will need to complete a D2 Application Form, which can be obtained from your local post office, or can be ordered online from the DVLA.

If you decide to go straight to Cat C+E it will likely be a 2 week course. You will still need the skills and training time like when the process was staged.

Your entitlement to drive lorries, minibuses or buses needs to be renewed every five years until you are 65. After the age of 65 you have to renew your licence entitlement every year.

To add higher category entitlements to your driving licence, you need to: Pass your car (B) driving test. Have provisional entitlement for the category of vehicle you want to drive. Pass the driving test for the new category to get full entitlement.

Can I do c'e without C?

A driver cannot be granted C+E provisional entitlement without first holding a category C driving licence. Likewise in the subcategory they must first pass C1 before being granted the provisional entitlement to drive a C1+E vehicle combination.

If the vehicle has a MAM between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes then a category 'C1' LGV driving licence is needed, however, if the (MAM) is more than 7.5 tonnes then a category 'C' LGV driving licence is needed.

Full Unrestricted Category 'A' Licence (Direct Access)

The minimum age requirement for this type of license is 24 years old. First, you have to complete your CBT. You then have to pass the Motorcycle Theory Test and undertake training and a Practical Test on a motorcycle with a minimum power output of 35KW.

You can tow a trailer that is no heavier than 750kg however to tow a trailer heavier than that you will need category C+E. If you passed your test before 1996 and are under the age of 70 then you will have a C1 license however at 71 you will have to take the test again.

Category B+E is for car drivers who would like to be able to tow a trailer with their car. With a Category B+E driving licence (car & trailer combination), you will be able to drive your car and tow a trailer with a maximum combined weight of up to 7 tonnes.

Class C motorhomes have the best rate of depreciation. They hold their value and last couples and small families a long time. If you want a spacious RV that isn't difficult to maneuver, can tow your car, and has many features and amenities, Class C's are a good investment.

A Class C RV can last between 200,000 to 300,000 miles with the proper care and attention. If you find one that has been well maintained, it could bring you and your family members joy for years to come.

Class C RVs will be easier to drive—often feeling like a van or small moving truck. The larger Class As are more similar to driving a bus. If you are looking to switch drivers, you will want to make sure that both drivers are comfortable driving whichever Class you choose.

If you want to apply and get your C1 licence, three theory tests have to be completed. The three tests you have to pass are a case study, a hazard perception test, and a multiple-choice test. The case study takes about 75 minutes to complete.

If you want to drive a really large motorhome like an American RV (and possibly tow a car too) then you may need to have passed both the C and CE tests to gain those categories and is referred to as a Class 1 Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) licence.

Is there a test for C1 licence?

Applying for a C1 driving licence involves completing three theory tests. These include a multiple-choice test, hazard perception test and a case study. The multiple-choice test has 100 questions covering how to safely and proficiently drive large vehicles. The pass mark required is 85 out of 100.

Cat C - Rigid (Class 2 & 3)

(This will last until your 45th birthday, or for 5 years if you are already over 40 when you have it). You must have your full car driving licence with C provisional entitlement.

During the test

If you make a mistake, don't worry about it, it might be a less serious fault and may not affect your result. The examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving. You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more driving faults will mean a failure).

If you pass

Your certificate is valid for 2 years. If you do not pass your Driver CPC part 3 test in that time you'll have to retake your HGV theory test.

There are four categories that written off cars fall into: Cat A and B, which can never be returned to the road, and C and D, which can.

Vehicles written off after an accident, a flood, or fire damage are often classified as Cat C. In its simplest form, it means that although the car is repairable, the cost of the parts, labour and potentially an expensive hire car would significantly exceed the value of the vehicle.

Of the two older categories that can be put back on the road, Cat C cars will have sustained more serious damage than Cat D cars – typically the repair bill will be more than the car is worth.

CAT C Training is priced at £70 per hour including VAT and is delivered in 4 hour sessions, the DVSA test fee is £115 for the on road test and £40 for the reverse test. This is completed as a week's course over 5 consecutive half days (training typically for 4 hours per day).

Driving without your card

You can drive without it if you've passed the tests and you're waiting for it to arrive. If you requalified by taking the 35 hours training, make sure your training provider has recorded your training within 5 working days of you completing it.

You need to have a C1 Category licence to drive a 7.5-tonne lorry. This hgv licence is not the same as a Category B car licence, however, you might be able to get a C1 licence automatically if you have a normal car licence, depending upon the date that you got your driving licence.

What is a full category C licence?

A category C license allows drivers to drive vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, but must not exceed 32 tonnes. Category C (or Class 2 as they are otherwise known) licences typically cover a vehicle with a cab and trailer fixed permanently together. In other words, what we would consider a 'standard lorry' or a rigid vehicle.

The total cost of the HGV licence, including the cost of test fee is £225. This is assuming you don't fail any of the tests.

Possessing this HGV driving licence will allow you to drive most types articulated lorries, bin lorries and tipper trucks.

The practical test makes sure you can drive confidently and safely in different road and traffic conditions, and that you know The Highway Code (and can show this by the way you drive). It lasts about 90 minutes.

Are there any exemptions to the tachograph rules? You do not need a tachograph if you are making a personal journey and driving a vehicle up to 7.5 tonnes (though you would need an appropriate licence to drive a vehicle that size).

A Class C vehicle is a motor vehicle that does not meet the standards for Class A or Class B vehicles and is intended to transport either 16 or more passengers or hazardous materials (HAZMAT). Large passenger vans, small HAZMAT trucks, and small trucks towing a trailer are all examples of class C vehicles.

These additional categories are more commonly known as 'Acquired Rights' or 'Grandfather Rights'. For those drivers who passed their car test after 1 January 1997 they receive a driving licence with entitlement to drive category B vehicles only.

Can I ride a 125cc without doing a CBT course – I have a full UK driver's license? Yes, if you have a full car licence you can ride a 125cc scooter or motorbike off-road. However, you must take and pass your compulsory basic training (CBT) before riding on the road.

Your CBT is not kept on the police database, nor are any records of your training or licensing details.

You can ride up to 125cc with a valid CBT certificate. (or a full motorcycle licence category A) A 250cc motorcycle will required a full motorcycle licence.

What is the 80% towing rule?

The 80/20 towing rule is a safety measure many RVers follow. Basically, the rule states that you shouldn't tow above 80% of your max towing capacity.

For safe towing it is recommended by many towing experts that a novice should keep the fully laden weight of the caravan no heavier than 85% of the kerbweight of the tow car. This is known as the 85% rule. Bear in mind that it is a guide and not legally enforceable.

Towing causes additional strain on your vehicle, from the engine to your brakes. So, it will slowly wear on your engine over time, no matter your vehicle or trailer. However, some big things will lead to faster wear and more substantial damage.

A. Holders of a Category A licence are allowed to drive any bike of any sized engine. The licence is only available to riders aged 24 and over, or 21 and over if you've held an A2 licence for two years. You need to have completed your compulsory basic training (CBT) and passed a theory and practical test.

The LGV C+E test was formerly known as HGV Class 1. The LGV Category C+E licence will allow drivers to drive any rigid vehicle with a trailer over 750kg (truck and trailer) up to a combined weight of 44 tonnes.

Light vehicles

A B1 driving licence is the category that allows you to drive light four-wheeled quadricycles up to 400kg unladen or 550kg if the vehicle is designed to carry goods.

Vehicles written off after an accident, a flood, or fire damage are often classified as Cat C. In its simplest form, it means that although the car is repairable, the cost of the parts, labour and potentially an expensive hire car would significantly exceed the value of the vehicle.

If the vehicle has a MAM between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes then a category 'C1' LGV driving licence is needed, however, if the (MAM) is more than 7.5 tonnes then a category 'C' LGV driving licence is needed.

Applying for a C1 driving licence involves completing three theory tests. These include a multiple-choice test, hazard perception test and a case study. The multiple-choice test has 100 questions covering how to safely and proficiently drive large vehicles. The pass mark required is 85 out of 100.

How easy is a Cat C car to insure? The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says most insurance companies will cover a Cat C car but you are likely to pay a higher premium. The insurer will check your car's history when you make a claim and could invalidate your cover if you did not declare it was a write-off.

How much does Cat C affect value?

Many insurance companies charge an excess for Cat C and Cat D cars which can outweigh the initial price reduction. Typically, for cars with a pre-accident value of under £5,000, a Cat C (Cat S) marker would mean the car loses around 45% of its value, whereas a Cat D (Cat N) maker loses around 40% of the value.

You need to advise in writing that you will be pursuing a claim under the "interference of goods act" for the "diminished value of the car as a result of having a Cat C marker against it". This may cause them to change their mind, look into it for you and remove it.

Yes: Drivers who passed their car test up until the end of 1996 normally have the C1 category as acquired rights and must have a medical every 3 years with the first at 70.

If you want to drive a van, truck or large goods vehicle under 7.5 tonnes, you will be required to pass a C1 driving test.

However, if you want to drive a bus of any kind (with or without a trailer), you need a few more qualifications, Mainly, you need a CAT D licence as a base, and a CAT D+E if you want to attach a trailer to that bus.

You should get your driving licence within 3 weeks of DVLA getting your application. It can take longer if your health or personal details need to be checked. You automatically lose your HGV or bus licence if you lose your car licence.

Lorry, bus and minibus licence holders

This affects you if you have passed driving tests for categories C1, C, D1, D, C1E, CE, D1E or DE. Once you've been issued with a 5 year licence you'll need to renew the licence when it expires - the licence expiry date is shown in 4b.

You have 1 hour and 55 minutes to answer 100 multiple-choice questions. Before the test starts you'll get: instructions on how the test works.

Renewing your C1 or D1 licence categories

If you wish to renew your C1 or D1 licence categories, you cannot renew your licence online and must send the filled in reminder form by post. You must also include the 'medical examination report' (DLM1 form) filled in by a doctor, in support of your application.