Which HGV Licence Do I Need? Categories Explained by Weight
C1, C, C+E, D1 and D compared by what you can legally drive, so you can match the vehicle in front of you to the right course.
Match the vehicle's plated weight to the category. Up to 7,500kg rigid is C1. Over 7,500kg rigid is Category C, also called Class 2. An articulated lorry or a rigid with a heavy trailer is C+E, also called Class 1. Minibuses up to 16 passengers are D1, and full buses and coaches are Category D.
The one question that decides it
What is the maximum authorised mass on the vehicle plate? Not the weight of the load, not the weight on the day, the plated figure. Everything else follows from that number, and it is the first thing we ask on the phone.
| Vehicle | Category you need |
|---|---|
| 7.5t box van, horsebox or motorhome over 3,500kg | C1 |
| 18t or 26t rigid lorry | Category C |
| Articulated tractor unit and trailer | Category C+E |
| Rigid lorry with a drawbar trailer over 750kg | Category C+E |
| 16 seat minibus | D1 |
| Coach or service bus | Category D |
Do you have to take C before C+E?
Yes. Category C must be held before you can sit the C+E test. Many people book them together so the training runs on without a gap, and the £2,895 C+E course assumes Category C is already held or being taken alongside it.
Where Driver CPC fits
The licence lets you drive the vehicle. Driver CPC lets you drive it for a living. If you are driving professionally you need the initial qualification, including Module 4, and then 35 hours of periodic training every five years at £55 per seven hour course.
Questions we get asked about this
Only if you passed your car test before 1 January 1997. Anyone who passed on or after that date holds Category B only and must train for C1.
Yes. C1 is not a prerequisite for Category C, and if you intend to drive vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, going straight to Category C is usually the better value route.
Yes. Class 1 is the older term for C+E, and Class 2 is the older term for Category C. Job adverts still use both.
Where to go next
- Category C training in Glasgow £1,695 including medical, theory and 16 hours tuition.
- Category C+E training £2,895 including 25 hours in vehicle training.
- C1 licence training the 7.5 tonne route in full.
What Our Customers Say
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Once I passed my theory/hazard perception test, I the took my C1 training with Jordan, who made my driving experience a pleasure, Jordan was patient and made me feel at ease the whole time I was driving: advising on things I might change and letting me know when I had driven well etc, really relaxed me to the point of passing my test 1st time after 10hrs of lessons. Very happy customer.
Brilliant service. David and Jordan were both excellent during intensive hours ahead of obtaining my C1 on my driving licence. Couldn't recommend them enough! Thanks very much guys
Great instructors an great trainning, no matter what your skill level is, they will always improve you, an give you the confidence you need, big thanks to davie, tommy and jordan. Nothing but praise an would'nt recommend anyone else, it was ah pleasure having all of them as my instuctors an thanks again for my 1st time pass.
Fantastic from start to finish, and at a very fair price.
I recently trained for a Class 1 licence with Pass4me and managed to pass first time due to the great training I received. Everyone was very helpful, helped me gain confidence, and made the training enjoyable with the daft patter. Highly recommend David and the rest of the team if you are looking to do HGV training!
Just passed my Class 2 licence thanks to these guys, and I can't recommend them enough. They were absolutely brilliant from start to finish—really helpful and made the whole process a breeze. If you're looking to get your licence sorted, definitely give them a shout!
Best experience for driver training I've come across! 1st time pass on my class 1 with ease. Tom top lad easy to get on with and plenty experience and Davey is brand new helped out a lot through the process. Would definitely recommend to anyone thinking of doing any sort of driver training to give the guys a call.
Get In Touch
Not sure which licence is right for you, or just have a question? Leave your name, email, number and a few details and we'll get back to you — no pressure.
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- pass4me1985@gmail.com
- 130 Blochairn Road, Glasgow, G21 2DU
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