What is a Category C1 Licence?
A Category C1 entitlement allows you to drive vehicles with a maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes. This includes a wide range of specialist and commercial vehicles that fall above the standard car licence threshold but below the full HGV category.
Most people who hold a standard Category B (car) licence issued after 1 January 1997 do not automatically have C1 — you need to pass a separate C1 test to gain this entitlement.
Who Needs a Category C1 Licence?
A C1 licence is required or highly beneficial for:
- ✓ Furniture and removal van drivers (large box vans)
- ✓ Ambulance and patient transport drivers
- ✓ Motor caravan (motorhome) drivers over 3.5t
- ✓ Horse box and livestock trailer operators
- ✓ Specialist equipment and utility vehicle operators
- ✓ Event and exhibition logistics drivers
- ✓ Blood bikes and emergency response volunteers
What's Included in C1 Training?
- ✓ Walk-around vehicle safety checks — tyres, lights, brakes, load securing
- ✓ Cab familiarisation — controls, instruments and mirrors
- ✓ Manoeuvring exercises — reversing, coupling, tight turns
- ✓ Road driving — urban, rural and dual carriageway
- ✓ DVSA test briefing and preparation
- ✓ Theory test guidance and study materials
Prerequisites
- ✓ Hold a full Category B (car) driving licence
- ✓ Pass a DVLA Group 2 medical (D4 form) — we can refer you
- ✓ Pass the HGV/LGV theory and hazard perception tests
- ✓ Be at least 18 years of age
Duration & Structure
The practical training element for Category C1 typically takes 3–5 training days, depending on your prior experience. We offer both intensive and spread-out programmes to fit your schedule.
Your overall timeline from starting the process to holding the licence — including the medical, theory test and DVSA practical test — is typically 3–6 weeks.
Do I Also Need a Driver CPC?
If you intend to drive a C1 vehicle for hire or reward (i.e. commercially, as part of your job), you will need the Driver CPC initial qualification in addition to the C1 licence. If you're driving for personal use only (e.g. your own motorhome or horse box), CPC is not required. We can advise you during your free consultation.
Training Locations
Category C1 training is available at all eight of our centres: