Categories of driver's licenses

In the European Union, to be able to drive a car with a trailer, you need the appropriate driver's license categories. Depending on the trailer's weight and the total vehicle weight, the following categories are required:

Category B: 

-        motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 3 500 kg and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver; motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer having a maximum authorised mass which does not exceed 750 kg. Without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 750 kg, provided that the maximum authorised mass of this combination does not exceed 4 250 kg. In case such a combination exceeds 3 500 kg, Member States shall, in accordance with the provisions of Annex V, require that this combination shall only be driven after: 

o   a training has been completed, or 

o   a test of skills and behaviour has been passed.

-        Member States may also require both such a training and the passing of a test of skills and behaviour. Member States shall indicate the entitlement to drive such a combination on the driving licence by means of the relevant Community code. 

-        The minimum age for category B is fixed at 18 years; 

Category BE:

-        without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combination of vehicles consisting of a tractor vehicle in category B and a trailer or semi-trailer where the maximum authorised mass of the trailer or semi-trailer does not exceed 3 500 kg, 

-        the minimum age for category BE is fixed at 18 years;

 Category C1: 

-        motor vehicles other than those in categories D1 or D, the maximum authorised mass of which exceeds 3 500 kg, but does not exceed 7 500 kg, and which are designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver; motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer having a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kg; 

Category C1E: 

-        without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category C1 and its trailer or semi-trailer has a maximum authorised mass of over 750 kg provided that the authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 12 000 kg, 

-        without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category B and its trailer or semi-trailer has an authorised mass of over 3 500 kg, provided that the authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 12 000 kg, 

-        the minimum age for categories C1 and C1E is fixed at the age of 18 years, without prejudice to the provisions for the driving of such vehicles in Directive 2003/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 July 2003 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers; 

Category C

-         motor vehicles other than those in categories D1 or D, whose maximum authorised mass is over 3 500 kg and which are designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver; motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer having a maximum authorised mass which does not exceed 750 kg; 

Category CE:

-        without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category C and its trailer or semi-trailer has a maximum authorised mass of over 750 kg,

-        the minimum age for categories C and CE is fixed at 21 years, without prejudice to the provisions for the driving of such vehicles in Directive 2003/59/EC; 

Category D1:

-        motor vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than 16 passengers in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding 8 m; motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer having a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kg; 

Category D1E: 

-        without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category D1 and its trailer has a maximum authorised mass of over 750 kg,

-        the minimum age for categories D1 and D1E is fixed at 21 years, without prejudice to the provisions for the driving of such vehicles in Directive 2003/59/EC; 

Category D: 

-        motor vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of more than eight passengers in addition to the driver; motor vehicles which may be driven with a category D licence may be combined with a trailer having a maximum authorised mass which does not exceed 750 kg; 

Category DE:

-        without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category D and its trailer has a maximum authorised mass of over 750 kg 

-        the minimum age for categories D and DE is fixed at 24 years, without prejudice to the provisions for the driving of such vehicles in Directive 2003/59/EC;

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It is important to note that driving a car with a trailer is regulated by law, so having the appropriate licenses is essential for safe and legal driving. We recommend staying informed about the current laws and regulations in the European Union.