The number of licence classes has been reduced from twelve to eight

• C Car
  
• LR Light Rigid (previously class SB)
  
• MR Medium Rigid (previously classes LT, LB)
  
• HR Heavy Rigid (previously classes HT, HB)
  
• HC Heavy Combination (previously classes LA, HA)
  
• MC Multi Combination (previously classes DA, RT)
  
• R Motor bike (previously class BIKE)
  
• R-DATE Motor bike or motor trike with an engine capacity up to 660ml and a power-to-weight ratio of 150kw/t (previously class BIKE-DATE)

See Driver’s Licence classifications for

• a full description of the new classes
  
• age and driving experience requirements for each licence class.

Information on obtaining a higher licence class is at Learning to Drive a Heavy Vehicle

Authority to drive buses

There are no longer any specific bus licence classes. The authority to drive a bus is included in the three rigid vehicle licence classes (LR, MR and HR). Holders of a licence class MC or HC are also authorised to drive buses.

The size of bus that a licence holder is authorised to drive is limited by the licence class appearing on the Driver’s Licence.

Buses - public passenger vehicles

If a bus is driven for hire, fare or reward, the licence holder must be accredited (Driver Accreditation) by the Passenger Transport Board. You can obtain a Driver Accreditation Information Guide from any Customer Service Centre.

Articulated vehicle

The holder of a class C (Car) Driver’s Licence is authorised to drive an articulated vehicle if the towing vehicle does not exceed 4500 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM).

The holder of a class LR, MR or HR Driver’s Licence is authorised to drive articulated vehicles provided the towing vehicle does not exceed 8000 kg GVM.

The holder of a class HC Driver’s Licence is authorised to drive

• a prime mover to which is attached a single semi-trailer (whether or not any unladen converter dolly is also attached)
  
• a rigid motor vehicle to which is attached a single trailer with a GVM greater than 9000 kg (whether or not any unladen converter dolly is also attached)
  

Towing trailer

The 5000 kg GVM trailer limit which applied to previous licence classes LT and HT has been increased to 9000 kg. The 9000 kg GVM trailer limit now applies to classes MR and HR, provided the overall laden mass of the combination is within the GCM of the towing vehicle.

Heavy vehicle transmission conditions

If you pass a practical driving test for a licence class HR, HC or MC in a vehicle fitted with an automatic or synchromesh transmission, your Driver’s Licence will restrict you to vehicles of that class fitted with a synchromesh or automatic transmission.
To have the condition removed, you will need to pass a practical driving test in a vehicle with non synchromesh transmission (constant mesh or crash box).