Over the past few years, the driver's license has been modified several times. Until recently, categories such as cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles were distinguished, and driving a car with a trailer had a separate column. Now, due to the addition of subcategories, there are more of them. In total, there are 16 categories in 2021, some of which apply only to those who plan to drive public transport.
A license issued by the traffic police allows you to drive a certain type of vehicle. The plastic card, measuring 5.5 x 8.5 cm, contains complete information about the driver: photo, name, date and place of birth, signature. At the same time, the number, validity period of the document and the assigned category are indicated. If the owner drives a bus with a license to drive only a passenger car, he risks receiving a considerable fine.
Category "A"
A category A driving license gives the right to drive:
- motorcycles of any kind, including sidecars;
- vehicles with three or four wheels, weighing no more than 400 kg;
- motorcycles with engine capacity up to 125 cc. cm, and a power of no more than 11 kilowatts.
The latter are allocated to a separate subcategory A1, which can be obtained from the age of 16. But in this case, the motorcyclist will not be able to change to a more powerful motorcycle. If the driver is assigned category A, A1 is counted automatically.
Obtaining category C license
You can get a category C license like this:
- To drive trucks, a potential driver first needs to go to a hospital and undergo an appropriate medical examination to obtain a license. The fact is that there are a number of diseases for which a person cannot be allowed to drive category C vehicles (for example, epilepsy).
- After passing the medical examination and receiving the appropriate certificate, the person needs to undergo training. To do this, you need to contact a driving school and apply for a driving course to obtain a category C license. Training at a driving school is paid, and the duration of training is 4-6 months. The training consists of 2 parts - practical and theoretical. The theoretical part involves listening to lectures on the rules of driving a truck, traffic rules, the purpose of certain road signs, and so on. The practical part is learning how to drive a vehicle with an instructor.
- After studying at a driving school, a person must pass an exam at the traffic police. The exam consists of 3 parts - theory, practice at a special site and practice in the city. The theoretical part of the exam is a task consisting of 20 questions. To successfully pass the theoretical part, you must answer at least 18 questions correctly. If a person successfully passes the exam, then he is allowed to take part in the practical part at a special site. To do this, a person goes with an instructor to the site, where the potential driver must complete 3 of 4 exercises chosen by the examiner - a U-turn, a “snake” and some other exercises. If this part of the test is successfully passed, the person is allowed to drive in the city with an examiner. If a person fails this part, then the exam is considered passed, and after paying the state fee, the person will be given a certificate.
Category "B"
The most popular type of license that allows you to drive a car:
- weighing up to 3500 kg;
- with a number of seats up to 8;
- with a trailer weighing up to 750 kg;
- with a trailer heavier than 750 kg, but with a total weight of up to 3.5 tons;
- with a trailer whose weight does not exceed the weight of the car without load.
This category includes cars, SUVs, minibuses, and small trucks. If you plan to travel with a trailer that does not fit into the listed standards, you will need to obtain a license with a mark in column BE. Subcategory B1 opens up the possibility of driving quadricycles (not ATVs - these are different vehicles) and tricycles.
Current driving license categories for 2021
The new classification of categories of Russian driver's licenses contains seven main points , designated by alphabetic symbols, and four groups of subcategories , containing not only alphabetic symbols, but also numbers. A specific classification and decoding is contained in a table describing the categories of driver’s licenses that are relevant in 2021 ( Article 25 196-FZ “On Road Safety” ):
| No. | Letter and numeric designation of the category | Characteristics of vehicles |
| 1 | A | Motorcycles |
| 2 | A1 | Light motorcycles (engine capacity from 50 to 125 cm3) |
| 3 | B | Passenger cars and trucks (load capacity up to 3.5 tons or capacity up to eight passengers) |
| 4 | B1 | Quadricycles and tricycles |
| 5 | C | Trucks (load capacity more than 3.5 tons) |
| 6 | C1 | Trucks (permitted axle load from 3.5 to 7.5 t) |
| 7 | D | Buses carrying more than eight passengers |
| 8 | D1 | Minibuses transporting eight to sixteen passengers |
| 9 | M | Mopeds, scooters and quadricycles (engine capacity no more than 50 cm3) |
| 10 | Tm, Tb | Trolleybuses and trams |
| 11 | BE, CE, DE, C1E, D1E | Special categories giving the right to drive vehicles with a trailer |
The identified subcategories imply the use of a lightweight version of vehicles of the same type, having a lower carrying capacity and engine power. Their management allows for a simplified form of training and minimal experience.
A more complete picture can be presented after a detailed consideration of each category and subcategory of driver’s licenses, as well as clarification of their specific use when driving a specific vehicle.
Category "C"
Driving license category C will be needed for those who plan to drive a car weighing more than 3.5 tons and trucks with a trailer weighing up to 750 kg. There is an important nuance - with such a certificate you cannot drive vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tons. Subcategory C1 limits the types of available vehicles to trucks weighing up to 7.5 tons. To be able to transport trailers heavier than 750 kg, you must master the CE or C1E programs . This requires at least 1 year of truck driving experience, and the driver’s age cannot be less than 21 years. To obtain an additional category, you will need to undergo training and pass exams at the traffic police.
How to open the "BE" category
When replacing a driver's document, the BE category should be entered automatically if the E-category was already open in the old license. Everyone else will have to receive it in stages:
- use the services of a driving school, where future vehicle drivers are trained to obtain a license of the category that satisfies their needs;
- before starting training, you must pay for it;
- undergo theoretical training to pass the exam for the required category and a practical driving course;
- successfully pass all examination tests in driving theory and practice;
- become the owner of a driver's document, where the VE category will be opened upon receipt of it at the traffic police.
Obtaining a medical certificate
You cannot avoid undergoing a medical examination, which will attest to the absence of deviations in your health. These deviations may be an obstacle to obtaining a license of the category that allows driving a car with a trailer. In other words, you must have a medical certificate in your hands. A small recommendation: get a medical certificate in advance, before you take the documents to the driving school and pay for the training. If deviations are identified, then you can’t even dream of obtaining the BE category of rights.
How does training work in a driving school at "VE"
It does not take much time to obtain a driving license with the right to drive a car with a trailer. The duration of training for category BE is only 1 month. The training course includes:
- attending classes on driving theory and traffic rules. Although this point is not mandatory, and the student can decide for himself whether to attend these classes at a driving school or conduct the training on his own. This attitude towards students develops for the reason that they all already have a B-category and have been working for a long time.
- learning the skills of driving a car with a trailer and preparing to perform special exercises on the race track to obtain certification;
- passing an exam conducted by a driving school, with the right to receive a certificate of successful completion of school and obtaining the right to admission to the exam in the traffic police.
The cost of training for a BE license is influenced by your region of residence. On average throughout the country, this service is from 15 thousand rubles. up to 18 thousand rubles, this also includes the fee for practical lessons in driving a car with a trailer.
Category "D"
To be able to drive buses of any size, the driver’s license must have a mark opposite category D. The weight of the vehicle does not matter; weight restrictions apply only to the trailer - up to 750 kg. With such a license, the driver can get behind the wheel of a tourist double-decker bus and a small minibus. Only accordion buses and double articulated models are banned.
Subcategory D1 has several restrictions:
- small buses, like RAF-2203 or GAZelle-3221;
- with a number of seats from 9 to 16;
- with trailer up to 750 kg.
For towing heavy trailers, programs DE and D1E are provided. Such driver's licenses will also give the opportunity to drive articulated buses. In the second option, the number of passengers transported should not exceed 16 people, and the total weight of the bus and trailer cannot be more than 12 tons. If the driver already has a DE mark, there is no additional need to study for D1E.
Categories and subcategories of driver's licenses in 2021
subcategory “C1E” - cars of subcategory “C1” coupled to a trailer, the permissible maximum weight of which exceeds 750 kilograms, but does not exceed the weight of the vehicle without load, provided that the total permissible maximum weight of such a combination of vehicles does not exceed 12,000 kilograms;
There is also an additional subcategory C1E, which allows you to drive cars of subcategory C1 with heavy (more than 750 kg) trailers. In this case, the total permitted maximum weight of the truck and trailer must not exceed 12 tons.
Drivers with a senior CE category can also drive vehicles of subcategory C1E.
To tow trailers with a permissible maximum weight exceeding 750 kg, as well as to drive articulated buses, a driver's license category DE is required.
Category “DE” - vehicles of category “D” coupled to a trailer whose maximum permitted weight exceeds 750 kilograms; articulated buses;
Subcategory D1E is intended for driving small buses with heavy trailers:
subcategory “D1E” - cars of subcategory “D1” coupled to a trailer that is not intended for the carriage of passengers, the permissible maximum weight of which exceeds 750 kilograms, but does not exceed the weight of the vehicle without load, provided that the total permissible maximum weight of such a combination of vehicles does not exceed 12,000 kilograms.
Please note that the trailer, firstly, should not be designed to transport passengers, and secondly, the total permissible maximum weight of the bus and trailer should not exceed 12 tons.
I note that drivers with category D can drive buses of subcategory D1, and drivers with category DE can drive buses with trailers of subcategory D1E.
The category indicated on the license is an indication of the type of vehicle that a person can drive. Every year new categories of driver's licenses appear.
Five main groups have been approved for 2021:
- A – motorized transport;
- B – passenger cars;
- C – trucks;
- D – motor transport for the transport of passengers;
- M – mopeds and other vehicles with low power.
Category "M"
This variety appeared later than others - at the end of 2013. With a category M license you can drive light ATVs and mopeds. Owners of certificates of any other categories have the same permission. The exceptions are those who have foreign licenses, as well as tractor drivers.
Categories of rights for public transport
The right to operate trams and trolleybuses in 2021 is given to categories Tm and Tb, respectively. They became isolated just a few years ago. Before this, a record was made in the rights in “special notes”. Holders of such documents cannot drive other vehicles.
Categories of driver's licenses in the Russian Federation as of 2021
The introduction of additional categories was intended to make it easier to obtain a driver's license and to concentrate the driver's attention on the specific features of the selected vehicle. Before the introduction of the “M” category, it was possible to ride mopeds without a license, that is, the process of driving this vehicle was not regulated by law. But the number of accidents involving mopeds was a sad statistic, which was also one of the reasons for the introduction of a new category. The introduction of subcategories made it possible to differentiate the acquisition of driving licenses depending on its technical and operational characteristics. A breakdown of the current categories and subcategories, as well as their descriptions, are presented in the table below.
Table - Main categories and subcategories of driver's licenses in 2018
| Category/Subcategory | Type of vehicle | Description |
| A | Motorcycles | Motorcycles mean any two-wheeled motorized vehicles, as well as motorized vehicles with 3 and 4 wheels (quad bikes), provided that their weight does not exceed 0.4 tons |
| A1 | Light motorcycles | Light motorcycles are motor vehicles with 2 wheels, engine capacity up to 125 cc. and power up to 11 kW. This subcategory can be opened upon reaching the age of sixteen. Automatically opens upon receipt of category A |
| IN | Passenger cars and trucks with a permissible weight of up to 3.5 tons | A passenger car is understood as a vehicle with any type of body (minivan, passat, sedan, etc.) and with the number of seats excluding the driver’s seat not exceeding 8. This category includes vehicles whose permissible weight does not reach 3.5 tons (small trucks ). It is allowed to attach a light trailer to the specified vehicles. It is considered light if its weight is less than 0.75 tons or its weight is more than 0.75 tons, but not more than the weight of the car, and the two indicators in total (weight of the car and trailer) are no more than 3.5 tons |
| BE | Cars with trailers | Allows the owner to drive the vehicle specified in the previous category and attach a heavy trailer to it. A trailer is considered heavy if its weight is more than 0.75 tons and at the same time it is greater than the weight of the car or its weight is more than 0.75 tons, it is not more than the weight of the vehicle, but the two indicators in total (the weight of the car and the trailer) exceed the 3.5 tons mark. You can get BE only after opening category B, or together with it |
| IN 1 | Quadricycles and tricycles | Allows control of quadricycles. In turn, a quadricycle (tricycle) is a vehicle that has pedals (brake, gas) and is controlled using a steering wheel. It should not be confused with an ATV, where there are no pedals and control is carried out using a steering wheel, like a motorcycle. Automatically opens upon receipt of category B |
| WITH | Trucks | Allows you to drive a truck weighing 3.5 tons or more, as well as attach a light trailer to it |
| SE | Trucks with trailers | Allows the use of vehicles specified in the previous category and the attachment of heavy trailers to them. Can be opened only after receiving category C or in conjunction with it |
| C1 | Trucks with a permissible weight of up to 7.5 tons | Allows the owner to drive trucks weighing from 3.5 to 7.5 tons, and also allows the use of a light trailer in conjunction with the specified vehicle. Automatically opens after receiving category C |
| C1E | Trucks with a permissible weight of up to 7.5 tons with a trailer | Allows the use of vehicles specified in the previous category and the attachment of heavy trailers to them. In this case, the total weight of the train should not exceed 12 tons. Can be opened only after receiving category C1 or in conjunction with it. Automatically opens upon receipt of CE category |
| D | Buses | Buses of all types and sizes, in addition to accordion buses. It is allowed to attach light trailers to the specified vehicles. |
| DE | Buses with trailer | Buses with “accordion”, as well as buses with heavy trailers. Can be opened only after receiving category D or in conjunction with it |
| D1 | Buses with up to 16 seats | Minibuses with a number of seats for passengers from 8 to 16. As well as the specified vehicles together with a light trailer. Automatically opens upon receiving category D |
| D1E | Buses with up to 16 seats with trailer | Minibuses that are not suitable for transporting people, together with a heavy trailer. In this case, the weight of the trailer should not be higher than the weight of the vehicle, and both indicators in total (weight of the car and trailer) should not exceed 12 tons. Automatically opens after receiving DE category |
| M | Mopeds | Allows driving mopeds. You can open a category upon reaching the age of sixteen. Automatically opens after receiving any of the above categories |
| Тm | Trams | Allows tram control |
| Tb | Trolleybuses | Allows trolleybus control |
According to the Federal Law “On Amendments to the Federal Law on Road Safety and the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offences” No. 92-FZ dated 05/07/2013
The introduction of new categories did not infringe on the rights of drivers who already had permission to drive a certain type of transport. On the contrary, the existing highest category gave the right to drive transport, which is regulated by subcategories. To obtain a new driving license, you also need to study at a driving school and pass exams. Model educational programs for driving schools were prepared in a short time after the adoption of all changes in 2013 relating to categories of driver's licenses.
How to open a new category?
For a number of reasons, it may be necessary to open a new category. Some of them are assigned automatically, while for others you will have to re-enroll in a driving school, undergo training and pass exams. This applies even to those who, with an existing category C, want to master the B program.
For cars with an automatic transmission, a separate subcategory is allocated in the license. Operating an automatic transmission is much simpler than a manual transmission, so drivers who have learned to drive an automatic transmission are prohibited from switching to a manual transmission. Absolutely every category requires special skills, which is why the rules are so strict.
To avoid getting a fine for not matching the category of driver's license for the vehicle you are using, enroll in the Vector driving school and undergo training on conditions convenient for you. We offer a flexible lesson schedule and 3 types of payment in installments. Call the numbers listed in the contacts or leave a request on the website.
What is the vehicle category?
A vehicle category is a group of vehicles that can be driven by a person. All vehicles that can use public roads can be divided into 7 main and 8 additional categories .
To drive cars, you need to have a driver's license. Upon receipt of a license, each person is assigned a certain category of driver's license, and a driver with a certain category may be allowed to drive the corresponding vehicle. If it is discovered that a person is driving a vehicle without a license of the appropriate category, he will be fined.
To understand all categories and subcategories of driver's licenses, use this table:
| Category or subcategory | Vehicle type |
| M | Mopeds. |
| A | Motorcycles. |
| A1 | Light motorcycles. |
| B | Cars |
| B1 | Tricycles and quadricycles |
| BE | Passenger cars with trailer |
| C | Trucks |
| C1 | Light trucks |
| C.E. | Trucks with trailer |
| C1E | Light trucks with trailer |
| D | Buses |
| DE | Articulated buses and buses with heavy trailers |
| D1 | Small buses with limited seats |
| D1E | Small buses with a limited number of seats with a trailer |
| Tm | Trams. |
| Tb | Trolleybuses. |
At what age can you open categories in your license?
