Archive Website of the UK government

Changes to driving licence rules for bus and lorry drivers

From 19 January 2013, driving licence rules will be changing for bus and lorry drivers. To find out more about the changes, follow the link below.

• Bus and lorry drivers - new driving licence validity periods

What a lorry, bus or coach driver does

Holding a bus or lorry driving licence will allow you to work for a company or organisation driving your vehicle locally, nationally or across Europe.

What you can do as a lorry driver

As a lorry driver you can:

• deliver shop or building materials (multi-drop deliveries)
• drive box container or curtain-sided vehicles
• drive tankers that contain liquids such as fuel or milk
• drive tankers that contain powders such as cement or flour
• transport livestock
• deliver temperature controlled goods such as salads, flowers or frozen foods

What you can do as a coach driver

As a coach driver, you can drive long distance:

• day trips or airport services
• to European holiday destinations

What you can do as a bus driver

As a bus driver you can drive locally, scheduled services or school services.

The driving licence needed to drive a lorry or bus

Lorries are known as large goods vehicles (LGV). Buses are known as passenger carrying vehicles (PCV).

When driving larger vehicles, the maximum authorised mass (total vehicle weight plus the maximum load it can carry) influences the driving licence entitlement you need.

For example, if the vehicle has a maximum authorised mass (MAM) which exceeds 3.5 tonnes, but not 7.5 tonnes, then a category C1 licence is needed. If the MAM exceeds 7.5 tonnes then a category C licence is needed.

You must normally be aged over 21 and hold a full (not provisional) category B entitlement (car) before you can take an LGV or PCV test.

To add a trailer entitlement (+E) to your licence, you’ll need to hold the full category entitlement for the vehicle before you take the trailer test.

For example, to drive an articulated vehicle, you would need to pass category C, and then pass category C+E to obtain the required licence.

• The vehicles you can drive or ride and minimum ages

Your driving conduct as a professional driver

A professional driver should set an example to other drivers. You should make sure that the vehicle is driven with maximum safety, courtesy and consideration for everyone else on today's busy roads.

If at any stage you lose your car licence entitlement you will also automatically lose your LGV or PCV licence.

• Your driving conduct for larger vehicles, minibuses or buses

What you need to do to become a professional driver

To become a professional driver it is important that you have the correct training and instruction before taking your practical test. A list of Driving Standards Agency (DSA) approved LGV training organisations and instructors is available on the Business Link website.

• Search for LGV training organisations and instructors: Business Link Opens new window

The tests you will need to take

To get a licence to drive a lorry and/or bus you will have to pass the following tests:

• theory and hazard perception tests
• practical driving test
• the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC)

• Driver CPC: how to get and keep it

Health and medical standards

To obtain a driving licence for a bus or lorry, you will need a medical examination to ensure that you are fit to drive.

• Medical rules for all drivers

More useful links

• Taking a bus and lorry driver theory test

• The practical driving test for buses and lorries

• Rules for lorries, buses and coaches used for driving tests

• Subscribe to Driving Standards Agency email alerts