UK Driving Licence Categories Explained Simply

United Kingdom • January 2026 • 6 min read

Written by

Euro Documents Editorial Team

Legal Content Team

Verified Administrative Procedure • Last Updated: October 2026 • Reviewed by: European Administrative Documentation Specialist • Source: Official Statutory Regulations

Authoritative Source & Service Disclaimer: Official driving licence procedures are governed by national statutory bodies (such as Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)). Euro Documents is an independent administrative support service providing document preparation, sworn translation coordination, and advisory assistance. Private service fees are separate from official statutory government taxes.

The UK driving licence system is organised into categories, each covering a specific type of vehicle.

The main car categories

Category B is the standard car licence for vehicles up to 3,500kg, and also allows towing a trailer within certain weight limits.

Motorcycles and mopeds

AM: mopeds
A1/A2: motorcycles with power restrictions
A: motorcycles with no power restriction

Lorries and buses

C1/C: lorries according to weight
D1/D: buses according to passenger capacity

Why this matters for your exchange

During a licence exchange, the DVLA determines which categories on your foreign licence have a direct equivalent under the UK system. Not every foreign category has an exact match, so it is worth checking your specific case directly with the DVLA.

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