Driving license categories are important categories when it comes to permission to drive a vehicle. In this article, you will find out what driving license categories are and what different driving license categories there are.
What are driving license classes?
Not every driving license is valid for every vehicle. Driving license classes regulate which vehicles may be driven with a driving license. In Germany, this is laid down in the Driving License Ordinance (FeV). It contains detailed guidelines on the conditions under which a person may drive certain vehicles. Various factors are taken into account, such as personal characteristics (e.g. age of the driver) and vehicle characteristics (e.g. size, maximum permissible mass or maximum speed).
As part of a regular driver’s license check, the fleet checks whether a driver has the appropriate driving license category.
What driving license categories are there?
The subdivision of driving license categories has two levels. The letters A to D form the main categories, which in turn are divided into four different sub-categories:
- Classes for motorcycles: A, AM, A1, A2
- Classes for passenger cars: B BF17, BE, B96
- Classes for trucks: C, CE, C1, C1E
- Classes for buses: D, DE, D1, D1E
There is also a special class for special vehicles. This includes, for example, breakdown vehicles. These are marked with the letters T or L. Including the special category, there are a total of 17 driving license categories in Germany.
Driving license class A
The A1 driving license category mainly covers small vehicles, especially two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles. These include scooters, light motorcycles and motorcycles with a maximum cubic capacity of 125 cm³ and a maximum power of 11 kW.
The other A classes are also divided according to engine capacity. Driving license category A2 applies to small motorcycles with an engine power of up to 35 kilowatts and a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 0.2 kilowatts per kilogram.
The AM category includes mopeds or e-bikes. These vehicles may have a maximum speed of 45 km/h and a maximum cubic capacity of 50 cm3. Holders of category A driving licenses can drive all of the above categories.
Driving license class B
Holders of a category B driving license may drive vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tons. It is also permitted to carry a trailer weighing up to 750 kilograms. For heavier trailers, however, drivers require the additional category BE. Here, the trailer may weigh up to 3.5 tons. With driving license category B96, up to 4.25 tons are permitted.
Holders of category B can also drive category AM for smaller motorcycles and special category L for low-speed agricultural tractors.
Driving license class C
The C1 driving license category covers light trucks weighing between 3.5 and 7.5 tons and allows you to drive vehicles with a trailer weighing up to 750 kilograms. In addition to the driver’s seat, there may be a maximum of eight additional seats in the vehicle.
With category C1E, trucks with trailers weighing more than 750 kilograms can be driven if the combination of the two does not weigh more than twelve tons. This category also applies to passenger cars with trailers over 3.5 tons.
Class C permits the driving of trucks over 3.5 tons with no limit on the gross vehicle weight, including articulated lorries and large trucks with trailers. This driver’s license must be renewed regularly, whereby fitness to drive must be proven by medical examinations.
Drivers who wish to drive motorhomes must observe the respective driving license category according to the weight of the vehicle. Motorhomes up to 3.5 tons can be driven with category B, while heavier motorhomes require a category C or C1 driving license.
Driving license class D
Driving license category D is intended for people who transport more than 16 passengers commercially. A trailer of up to 750 kilograms is permitted here.
With category D1, buses with eight to 16 passengers and trailers of up to 750 kilograms are permitted, whereby the vehicle may be a maximum of eight meters long. Category D1E extends the possibilities of category D1 by allowing heavier trailers to be carried.
The DE category has no restrictions regarding the number of persons or the maximum permitted mass of the vehicle. It also allows the driving of buses with trailers without weight restrictions.
Special classes L and T
Category L includes tractors and self-propelled agricultural and forestry machinery as well as forklifts. A category T driving license allows you to drive more powerful agricultural and forestry machinery. This also includes categories L and AM.
