Life of the traffic patrol department would have been so complicated if there were no categorisation of vehicles in the driving license!
The Light Goods Vehicle (LGV) Category C license was earlier called HGV (High Goods Vehicle) Class 2. Once the driving test is passed and the license is obtained, it entitles the drivers to drive any vehicle of maximum authorised mass (MAM) of minimum 3.5tons and maximum 32tons.
These vehicles are commonly referred to as rigid vehicles wherein the main cab and the trailer are fixed together for good. Such vehicles are used for construction purposes.
Any additional trailer if towed along with should not exceed the weight of 750kgs.
Varieties of Category C –
So the basic difference between Categories C, C1 and C1+E license is:
Criteria and process to get Category C license –
Category C license is the most common one held for the heavy goods vehicle. Once you obtain this license, you are automatically entitled to a C1 license. Moreover, C is the stepping stone to acquire Category C+E license. They say, with a C+E or ‘Class 1’ license, you can drive any type of large and heavy goods vehicle!