What is a C1 licence, where can I get one and do I need one?
C1 is the driving licence category that enables you to drive goods vehicles (lorries/trucks) of up to 7.5 tonnes laden weight. Most rental vans are “plated” at a maximum of 3.5 tonnes – so can be driven on a car (category B) license. However, several van hire companies also offer 7.5t trucks for rent, and these will require a C1 (or C/C+E) entitlement on your driving licence. As a general rule, anyone who took their car driving test before 01/01/1997 will have C1 entitlement on their licence – you used to get it “for free”! Anyone who has taken their car test since 01/01/1997 will not have C1 entitlement. If you are in this position then you will need to take an additional driving test to drive C1 (7.5t) vehicles. See www.dvla.gov.uk for more information.
