Not understanding my new driving licence

RSD7a

RSD7a

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I've just received my old man's age 70 driving licence. I was happy to give up my ability to drive anything over 3500kg. So my C1 entitlement has gone as expected. I think that's right.

But I'm puzzled by the description of the B category which I still retain. In the basic B category there's no mention of a 3500kg limit there for people like me who have passed their test prior to 1997. In fact I'm especially confused by the mention of 8250kg. See below

Cars

Category B - if you passed your test before 1 January 1997​

You’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM). View your driving licence information to check.

You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.

I also have retained the BE entitlement

Category BE​

You can drive a vehicle with a MAM of 3,500kg with a trailer.

The size of the trailer depends on the BE ‘valid from’ date shown on your licence. If the date is:

  • before 19 January 2013, you can tow any size trailer within the towing limits of the vehicle
  • on or after 19 January 2013, you can tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500kg within the towing limits of the vehicle
Category B and category BE seem to contradict each other.
How does all this relate to driving my sub 3500kg motor caravan?
 
Just looking at mine which is due for renewal soon

1672930648971.png
 
It is confusing.

The "B" weight values for people passing pre-1997 are virtually identical to what you would have had on your old license with the C1E entitlement with a 107 Endorsement ("107 - not more than 8,250 kilograms").
Are there any codes after the B on your license? Pudsey has a 01 as he is a blind old coot. I don't have any on my B but I do have the usual 107 after the C1E entitlement.

Makes no difference to driving your sub-3.5t van anyway.


It would suggest that there is no need to bother with all the hassle of trying to retain C1 entitlement if you passed the car test before 1997 as the same rights are within B now?
 
wildebus said:
It is confusing.

The "B" weight values for people passing pre-1997 are virtually identical to what you would have had on your old license with the C1E entitlement with a 107 Endorsement ("107 - not more than 8,250 kilograms").
Are there any codes after the B on your license? Pudsey has a 01 as he is a blind old coot. I don't have any on my B but I do have the usual 107 after the C1E entitlement.

Makes no difference to driving your sub-3.5t van anyway.


It would suggest that there is no need to bother with all the hassle of trying to retain C1 entitlement if you passed the car test before 1997 as the same rights are within B now?
Click to expand...
TART!!!

I amn't blind, I do were specataculars though
 
I would note that .gov is riddled with mistakes, in this case the person who compiled the page was trying to explain how drivers might have C1, but forgetting that it only applies if your licence has C1 on it.
Last year I had occasion to disagree with one of .gov pages relevant to shooting, in the end they washed their hands of responsibility and passed it on to BASC, it's almost like we have a government who don't know their 'arse from their elbow'.
 
wildebus said:
It would suggest that there is no need to bother with all the hassle of trying to retain C1 entitlement if you passed the car test before 1997 as the same rights are within B now?
Click to expand...
I would note that .gov is riddled with mistakes, in this case the person who compiled the page was trying to explain how drivers might have C1, but forgetting that it only applies if your licence has C1 on it.
Last year I had occasion to disagree with one of .gov pages relevant to shooting, in the end they washed their hands of responsibility and passed it on to BASC, it's almost like we have a government who don't know their 'arse from their elbow'.
 
wildebus said:
It is confusing.

The "B" weight values for people passing pre-1997 are virtually identical to what you would have had on your old license with the C1E entitlement with a 107 Endorsement ("107 - not more than 8,250 kilograms").
Are there any codes after the B on your license? Pudsey has a 01 as he is a blind old coot. I don't have any on my B but I do have the usual 107 after the C1E entitlement.

Makes no difference to driving your sub-3.5t van anyway.


It would suggest that there is no need to bother with all the hassle of trying to retain C1 entitlement if you passed the car test before 1997 as the same rights are within B now?
Click to expand...
That's how I read it too. And that's also my main confusion. My reading is that having passed my test prior to 1997, having relinquished C1 at age 70, I am still entitled to drive a 4.25t motor home if I choose to.(the only code I have is 01 for eyesight correction )
 
On the plus side I've read elsewhere (here?) about people mysteriously losing their m/cycle entitlement at the age 70 renewal and then being told they have to take a new test to get it back. Thankfully my A entitlement transferred over in tact, so I'm still licensed to go out and ride something 🏍️stupid🏍️ even though I'm 30 years out of practice 😁
 
Pudsey Bear said:
Dunno what the first one is, I didn't take any test in 2015.

Licence codes

www.gov.uk

Driving licence codes

Codes that DVLA places on your driving licence, and their explanations
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
Click to expand...
It is a Moped. I have the same. I am guessing because there was a new requirement for a CBT for moped riding that was not present before 2015, that entitlement was automatically added for anyone with a car license before a certain age.
You would imagine that having an A (Motorbike) entitlement would cover Mopeds automatically though, wouldn't you?
 
colinm said:
I would note that .gov is riddled with mistakes, in this case the person who compiled the page was trying to explain how drivers might have C1, but forgetting that it only applies if your licence has C1 on it.
Last year I had occasion to disagree with one of .gov pages relevant to shooting, in the end they washed their hands of responsibility and passed it on to BASC, it's almost like we have a government who don't know their 'arse from their elbow'.
Click to expand...
However, if that is what it says, who is the license holder to argue? If the situation ever went to court or legal arguement, I would say the license holder driving a 4.25t motorhome on a B license would have the upper hand.
 
Last edited:
Pudsey Bear said:
TART!!!

I amn't blind, I do were specataculars though
Click to expand...
I don't recall ever having any Code 01 on a driving license, despite needing to wear glasses to drive in a previous life (I don't now).
I have a vague recollection it is only noted down for certain eye conditions and not a simple short-sightedness?
 
wildebus said:
However, if that is what it says, who is the license holder to argue?
Click to expand...
The webpage 'invites' you to check further by clicking on a link to show which categories are on your licence, that's what lets you know what you can drive, and the link I posted in my first post shows what these categories cover, a court might let you off, but I wouldn't bet on it.
 
colinm said:
The webpage 'invites' you to check further by clicking on a link to show which categories are on your licence, that's what lets you know what you can drive, and the link I posted in my first post shows what these categories cover, a court might let you off, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Click to expand...
Yes. And it doesn't explain any better.
I am not going to argue the point, as neither you or I are in any position of authority to make any kind of categorical statement one way or the other.
 
wildebus said:
It is a Moped. I have the same. I am guessing because there was a new requirement for a CBT for moped riding that was not present before 2015, that entitlement was automatically added for anyone with a car license before a certain age.
You would imagine that having an A (Motorbike) entitlement would cover Mopeds automatically though, wouldn't you?
Click to expand...
Screenshot_20230105_182831_Chrome.jpg
 
As ColinM says, when I follow the link to get a personalised list of what I can drive, specifically on my licence, (no C category, now) my B category says

  • Dates​

    • Start date: before 9 Apr 1975
    • End date: 4 Mar 2026

  • Description​

    You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) with up to 8 passenger seats and a driver (with a trailer up to 750kg). You can also tow heavier trailers if the total weight of vehicle and trailer isn’t more than 3,500kg MAM. Physically disabled drivers with provisional category B entitlement will also have provisional entitlement to ride category A1 or A motor tricycles. Able-bodied drivers can no longer ride motor tricycles with a provisional category B licence

  • Restriction codes​

    1. 01 Eyesight Correction
Definitely confusing and at odds with the opening quote from .gov.uk
 
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