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Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency gov.uk

Rules for lorries used for driving tests

Imported from official source

Lorries used for practical driving tests have to meet certain rules, and some vehicles and trailers must also carry a minimum weight.

The lorry you use for your off-road exercises test and on-road driving test must meet certain rules.

You must use a vehicle in the same driving licence category for both parts of the test. For example, if you pass the off-road exercises test in an articulated lorry (category CE), you must use an articulated lorry for the on-road driving test.

  • in the same driving licence category for both parts of the test - for example, if you pass the off-road exercises test in an articulated lorry (category CE), you must use an articulated lorry for the on-road driving test
  • that requires the driving licence category you’re taking the test for - you cannot use a vehicle that can be driven using a lower driving licence category, even if it meets all the other rules

    • An electric powered, zero emission vehicle with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 4,250kg can be driven using a category B driving licence.

    This means you cannot use it for your category C1 test.

    Some vehicles and trailers must also carry a minimum weight.

    Your test will be cancelled and you’ll lose your fee if your vehicle does not meet the rules.

    All vehicles used for category C1, C1E, C and CE tests must be capable of 50mph.

  • L-plates (‘L’ or ‘D’ plates in Wales) on the front and rear
  • 2 sets of externally mounted nearside and offside mirrors - one for the driver and one for the examiner
  • seat belts fitted to seats used by the examiner or any person supervising the test
  • an anti-lock braking system (ABS) - trailers do not need to be fitted with ABS

    • A tractor unit is not a suitable vehicle for a category C or C1 test.

  • at least as high and wide as the towing vehicle

    • For C1E the trailer may be slightly less wide than the towing vehicle, but the view to the rear must be by the use of external mirrors only.

    Rules for medium-sized lorries: categories C1 and C1E

    A category C1 vehicle is a medium-sized lorry:

    This is an extract. The publication continues at the source.

    Read the original at the source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rules-for-lorries-used-for-driving-tests

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    Provenance

    Organization
    Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency — imported from official source
    Official source
    https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-standards-agency.atom ATOM
    Imported
    September 18, 2026 11:34
    Versions
    1 recorded
    Identity
    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rules-for-lorries-used-for-driving-tests#2026-09-02T11:45:55Z

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