With effect from 19th January 2013 the Driving Licence rules will be changing. This will affect all of those passing their test on or after this date in respect of those wishing to drive lorries, buses and motorcycles and anyone using a towing trailer for their car. The driving licence itself will also be changing in appearance by way of the information displayed.

So what is changing and how might it affect you?

MOPEDS, MOTORCYCLES AND TRICYCLES

Categories AM, A1, A2 & A

Existing licence holders will the entitlement to ride a moped won’t lose it. This is currently shown as entitlement P and affords the holder the ability to ride a moped up to 50cc with a maximum speed of 50km per hour. However upon the introduction of the new rules and upon renewal of your license, the categories will be as follows:-

•AM – lets you ride mopeds with a maximum design speed over 25 km/h but not more than 45 km/h, small three wheelers (up to 50 cc and below 4 Kilowatt (kW)), and light quadricycles (unladen mass less than 350 kilograms (kg) and up to 45 km/h)

•P – extending the above to include two or three wheeled mopeds with a higher maximum speed of up to 50 km/h (to retain your existing entitlement)

•Q – extending the above to include two or three wheeled mopeds with a maximum speed up to 25 km/h (to retain your existing entitlement)

Existing motorcycle or tricycle riders will also retain their current entitlement, however if you wish to ride a bigger bike then you will need to follow the new rules that will come in to effect from January.

Category AM – Mopeds.  If you have not passed a car test but wish to ride a moped you will need to pass your CBT, theory and practical test. The minimum age will be 16.

If you pass your car test first, then you will receive an entitlement to ride a moped however you will need to pass your CBT. Your entitlements will show as AM and Q.

Category A1 – Small motorcycles up to 11kW – 125 cc. You will be required to pass theory and practical tests. The minimum age will be 17.

Category A2 – Medium motorcycles up to 35 Kw. The age limit will be 19. If you have no experience riding you will need to pass a theory and practical test however if you have 2 years experience on an A1 category motorcycle you need only pass a further practical test.

Category A – Machines unlimited in size and power, with or without a sidecar, and motor tricycles with a power output of more than 15 kW. If you have no experience riding you will need to pass a theory and practical test and be 24 or over. However you could gain this category at 21 if you have 2 years experience on an A2 motorcycle and take a further practical test.

It should be noted that tests for mopeds with 3 or 4 wheels, A1 and A tricycles will only be available to the physically disabled.

Changes to Test Procedures for Mopeds and Motorcycles

From 19th January 2013 all mopeds and motorcycles must adhere to the following:

  • be fitted with a speedometer that measures speed in miles per hour (mph)
  • display L-plates (‘L’ or ‘D’ plates in Wales) on the front and rear
  • be legal and roadworthy and have no engine warning lights showing

If your choice of moped or motorcycle does not meet regulations then your test will be cancelled and you may lose your fee.

You will also be expected to pass both module 1 and 2 on the same sub-category of motorcycle, however if you have passed module 1 before the 19th January 2013, then you may be required to pass module 2 or a lower sub-category of motorcycle – please see table below for details:-

Age from 19 January 2013 Sub-Category used for Module 1 Before 19th January 2013 Sub-Category to Use for Module 2 from 19th January 2013

Any Age P AM

17 or over A1 A1

19 or under A2 A1

21 or over A2 A2

23 or under A A2

24 or over A A

Enclosed motorcycles such as the BMW C1 cannot be used to take a test and motorcycles with a side car will only be considered for those people with certain disabilities.

TOWING TRAILERS WITH A SMALL CAR OR VEHICLE

If you already hold a licence to drive a small car or vehicle (category B and BE) then you will keep your current entitlement to tow trailers.

With effect from 19th January 2013 new drivers will have to adhere to the following:-

  • Category B – There will be no change to this category.
  • Category BE – You will need to pass a further test if your trailer weighs over 750kg and the combined weight of trailer and towing vehicle is over 3,500kg. The trailer must not weigh over 3,500kg.
  • Category C1E – If your trailer weighs over 3,500kg you will need to pass a further test.

MINIMUM AGE FOR RESPECTIVE VEHICLES

The tables below show the categories of vehicle and the minimum age requirements in order to be able to drive them following the change on 19th January 2013.

Categories C1, C1E, C CE, D1 D1E, D and DE apply to non professional drivers. Professional drivers may be able to drive some of these vehicles at a younger age if they have undertaken and passed a CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) certification.

Moped and Light Quadricyle

  • Category P – Minimum Age 16
  • Category Q – Minimum Age 16
  • Category AM – Minimum Age 16
  • Motorcycles and Tricycles
  • Category A1 – Minimum Age 17
  • Category A2 – Minimum Age 19
  • Category A – Minimum Age 24 (Age 21 if 2 years experience on A2 motorcycle plus passing a further practical test)

Four Wheeled Light Vehicles

  • Category B1 – Minimum Age 17 (Age 16 if you are getting Disability Living Allowance (mobility allowance) at the higher rate)

Cars

  • Category B – Minimum Age 17 (Age 16 if you are getting Disability Living Allowance (mobility allowance) at the higher rate)
  • Category B AND E – Minimum Age 17 (Age 16 if you are getting Disability Living Allowance (mobility allowance) at the higher rate)

Medium Sized Vehicles With or Without Trailers

  • Category C1 – Minimum Age 18
  • Category C1 and E – Minimum Age 21 (Age 18 if combination weight is under 7500kg)
  • Large Goods Vehicles With or Without Trailers
  • Category C – Minimum Age 21
  • Category C and E – Minimum Age 21
  • You can drive at age 17 if a member of the armed services or at 18 if one of the following applies:-
  • you passed your driving test and Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) Initial Qualification
  • you are learning to drive or taking a driving test for this category or Driver CPC Initial Qualification
  • you are taking a national vocational training course to get a Driver CPC Initial Qualification
  • you had your driving license before 10 September 2009, you must take the CPC periodic training within five years of this date

Minibuses With or Without Trailers

Category D1 – Minimum Age 21

Category D1 and E – Minimum Age 21

You can drive at age 17 if member of the armed forces or at 18 if one of the following applies:-

  • You are learning to drive or taking a PCV test or Driver CPC initial qualification
  • Having passed a PCV driving test and Driver CPC initial qualification, you can drive under any of the following conditions:
  • driving on a regular service where the route doesn’t exceed 50 km
  • not engaged in the carriage of passengers
  • driving a vehicle of a class included in sub-category D1
  • Having passed a PCV test before 10 September 2008 and driving under a bus operator’s license, or minibus permit, or community bus permit and any of the following conditions:
  • driving on a regular service where the route doesn’t exceed 50 km
  • not engaged in the carriage of passengers
  • driving a vehicle of a class included in sub-category D1
  • Age 20 after passing a PCV driving test and Driver CPC initial qualification.