License Types & Categories

License categories are standardized across Europe (EU). Main categories include: AM (mopeds), A1/A2/A (motorcycles by power), B (cars up to 3500kg), C (trucks), D (buses). Each has age requirements and may need additional tests. Category B is the standard car license most people get.

Annex I of Directive 2006/126/EC defines four motorcycle classes harmonised across the EU. AM covers mopeds up to 50 cc and 45 km/h, minimum age 16 (15 in some states under Article 4). A1 covers light motorcycles up to 125 cc, 11 kW, and a power-to-weight ratio under 0.1 kW/kg, minimum age 16. A2 covers bikes up to 35 kW with a power-to-weight ratio under 0.2 kW/kg, minimum age 18. Full A covers unrestricted motorcycles, minimum age 24 direct, or 20 with two years on A2 (progressive access). Each step requires its own theory plus on-road practical (and a separate slow-speed manoeuvres test in most member states).

Annex I of Directive 2006/126/EC defines Category B as motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 3,500 kg, designed to carry no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver. You may tow an unbraked trailer up to 750 kg, or a heavier trailer where the combination does not exceed 3,500 kg. The B96 code, awarded after a short additional test, raises the combination limit to 4,250 kg. BE (a separate test) lifts it further to 7,000 kg combined. Most motorhomes and small vans fall under Category B; the 3,500 kg ceiling is gross vehicle weight, not unladen weight.

Pass in an automatic and your licence is restricted to automatic-transmission vehicles (code 78 on the EU photocard, set out in Annex I of Directive 2006/126/EC). Pass in a manual and you may drive both. The restriction matters in countries where manual cars dominate the rental and used-car market — Spain, Italy, Poland, and France all still sell mainly manual cars. The UK DVSA reports that automatic test pass rates are several points higher than manual, mostly because clutch control is removed. To remove the restriction you take the full practical test again in a manual car; the theory pass carries over.

Upgrading means a fresh theory and practical for the new category, plus medical and Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) modules for C and D under Directive 2003/59/EC. From B to C1 or C you must pass C-category theory and the on-road test in a heavy goods vehicle; the medical is more demanding (DVLA D4 form in the UK, ärztliche Untersuchung in Germany under FeV §48). From A2 to full A, progressive access lets you skip theory after two years on A2 and take only the practical (Directive 2006/126/EC Article 4(3)(c)). Trailer upgrades (BE, C1E) need a separate practical with a loaded trailer.

Names differ but the function is the same: UK provisional licence (DVLA D1 application, age 17), Spain permiso de circulación de prácticas / L-plate phase managed by the autoescuela and DGT, Germany Begleitetes Fahren ab 17 (BF17, FeV §48a, age 17 with named accompanying driver), France conduite accompagnée (AAC, age 15 with 3,000 km supervised driving). Common rules: a qualified accompanying driver, learner display (L in the UK, green L in Italy and Spain), no motorways in the UK for learners until they hold a provisional and use a dual-controlled car with an Approved Driving Instructor. Bookings for both theory and practical require the provisional first.

A full license removes learner restrictions - you can drive alone, on all roads including motorways, without L-plates. However, new drivers may have restrictions in some countries (night driving, passenger limits, lower alcohol limits). Some insurance categories also require a full license.