How to Get a C1 Licence

In the UK, having a driving licence is a basic necessity. However, there are multiple categories of driving licence. For most people who drive on a daily basis, you will only need a licence of category B and B1(cars and light vans), but if you want to drive larger vehicles, you may consider obtaining a C1 licence. Keep on reading and learn how to get a C1 licence.

What is a C1 Licence

What is C1 on a driving licence? The C1 licence is a driving licence that covers medium-sized vehicles. With a C1 entitlement on your licence, you are entitled to drive vehicles between 3,500 and 7,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) with a trailer up to 750kg. This is a category usually for people who transport goods with commercial vehicles such as vans and small lorries. The one thing you should notice is that if your licence is obtained before the date of January 1st, then you automatically have the C1 entitlement. There is no need to pass the examination.

Category C vehicle codes

Medium-sized vehicles

• C1 – you can drive vehicles weighing 3,500kg-7,500kg, with or without a trailer up to 750kg
• C1E – you can drive C1 vehicles with trailers over 750kg

Large vehicles

• C – you can drive vehicles over 3,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg
• CE – you can drive category C vehicles with a trailer over 750kg

The above codes listed show the weight restriction for each type of licence in category C. Different from category B which is for light vehicles and quad bikes, category C is for both medium-sized and large vehicles. You need at least a C1 driving licence if you are looking to drive professionally. The difference between C1 and C1E is the trailer weight limitation. C1 allows you to drive with a trailer no more than 750kg whereas trailers over 750kg are permitted with C1E, but the combined MAM of both the vehicle and trailer can not exceed 12,000kg. C and CE licences are similar as well. You can drive a vehicle over 3,500kg with both licences but be careful with the trailer weight restriction when you select the examination to pass.

How to get a C1 licence for a motorhome

Motorhome trips are more and more popular in the UK. However, your standard driving licence may not be enough if you are planning to drive a motorhome. A C1 licence is a must-have item before you go.

Here are the things you need to know about getting a C1 licence for a motorhome:

1.  Make sure you are eligible

• You must be over 18 years old.
• A full and valid B licence is required before you apply for the C1 licence.
• You need to stay in the UK for at least 185 days in a year to take the test.

2.  Apply for a provisional licence

• Access the website of www.gov.uk and locate “driving and transport”. Click driving licence > apply for your first provisional driving licence” and follow the steps.

• Create or sign in the Driver and vehicles account. You may need to provide detailed personal information including a valid photo for your provisional licence, email address, identity document number, addresses you lived over the last 3 years, etc.

• Download form D2 and D4 from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) online. Form D4 is a medical assessment that should be filled out by a doctor. Both DVLA forms are also available at your nearest post office. Send the completed forms along with your current licence and you’ll get a confirmation e-mail from DVLA after you apply. The licence should arrive within 1 week.

3.  Take driving lessons (optional)

There is no training requirement for C1 licence, but If you are not overly confident in your driving skill, find yourself a qualified driving instructor. The instructor has to prove that he is registered with the DVSA with their badge. You can practice driving under his supervision. The time you have to spend on driving lessons totally depends on how fast you learn. You can communicate with your instructor during the pratice process.

4.  Prepare and book your theory test

There are 3 parts in the theory test: multiple-choice questions, hazard perception and case studies. 

• The multiple-choice questions contain 100 questions about driving larger vehicles and motorhomes safely. You need to get at least 85 of them right to pass.

• The hazard perception test will show you 19 one-minute clips and you need to find at least one developing hazard in each clip. To pass the test, 67% of correct answers are required.

• The cast studies test contains seven cases and there will be 50 questions asked. You will need 80% of the total score to pass the test.

Mock tests for multiple-choice and hazard perception are free online. It is best to practice both parts before you take the real tests. You can simply find them on the page of www.gov.uk. In addition, there are apps and books available from the DVSA to help you practice. You can get them online or in bookshops.

To book a theory test in England, Wales or Scotland, you have to live in these places for at least 185 days in the last 12 months while in Northern Ireland you must lived there for 5 months before taking the test.

Theory test can be booked and paid online or you can contact the DVSA to help with the booking. 

E-mali: theorycustomerservices@dvsa.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 200 1122

working hours: Monday-Friday, 2am-4pm

5.  Book your driving test

After you pass your theory test, you can book your driving test. This is the final step of the whole examination. The C1 driving test consists of 2 parts: The first part is an assessment of your driving and safety skills. The second part is a practical demonstration of showing how to upload and unload the vehicle safely and make emergency assessments when needed. If you make no more than 15 minor faults, you can pass the test!

Once you pass the past, your upgraded licence should be with you in the next 10-15 days. Your motorhome journey is on they way!

How long does a C1 licence last

The validation time of C1 licence depends on the driver’s age and the time the licence is issued.

• Age of 44 and under

For drivers under the age of 44, their C1 licences are valid for 5 years.

• Age over 44

If the driver is over 44, the C1 licence is only valid for 1 year.

• Age over 70

As mentioned above, car licences issued before 1st January 1997 have a C1 entitlement automatically, but this will be removed when the licence owner reaches 70 years old. He will need to send a D4 medical and a vision assessment form to the DVLA in order to renew his licence for another 3 years.

What other vehicles you can drive with C1 licence

Apart from motorhomes, the C1 licence allows you to drive tow trailors, lighter lorries, HGV and any motorised equiment weighing up to 7,000kg.

How much does it cost for a C1 licence

The C1 licence cost uk is fixed in terms of the tests as below, but how much is a C1 licence in total depends on whether you require a training instructor and the fee from the doctor of medical assessment.

• Theory test cost:

multiple choice £26

hazard perception £11

case study £23

• Driving test cost: £115

• Training instructor cost: various

• Medical assessment cost: various

How long does it take to get C1 licence

The time you have to spend from getting a provisional licence to finally driving a motorhome on the road is flexible.

The provisional licence usually arrives within 1 week after you apply, and you may need some time to go through the theory test and practice driving before you book both theory and practical test. The theory test takes 1 hour and 50 minutes and it takes about 50 minutes to 1 hours to finish the driving test.

All in all, it is up to you. If you are a fast learner, it wouldn’t take much time to get your C1 licence.

Bonus tips: How to get a C1 licence photo

To help you streamline the application process, it’s advisable to use a professional driving licence photo maker such as AiPassportPhotos. It can create compliant and high quality photo for c1 licence, which saves you time and energy from visiting a photo studio. To get a c1 licence photo online, follow these steps.

1.  Visit AiPassportPhotos website and go to UK driving licence photo.

2. Upload any photo from your device.

3. Let AI automatically resize photo to 35mm x 45mm and change photo background. It generates your photo compliance with UK standard licence specifications.

FAQ

Do I need a medical for a C1 licence?

Yes. To get a provisional licence, you need to fill the D4 form which is a medical assessment.

Can I drive through EU with C1 licence?

Yes. Although the UK has exited the EU, you can still drive through EU with a C1 licence.

How long is C1 training?

Training for C1 is not mandatory. However, if you are not confident in your driving skills or you haven’t driven for a long time, you may hire a qualified instructor. How long the training will last depends on how quickly you learn. There is no restriction on training time. You should communicate with your trainer before and during the process.

Do I need a theory test for C1 licence?

Yes. A theory test must be passed before you take the practical test.

Conclusion

Whether you are dreaming of driving a motorhome on a road trip or you have to drive larger vehicles for professional purposes, getting a C1 licence is the first step to take. Once you have added the C1 entitlement to your licence, it is best to practise driving on some quiet roads before making your way to the busy streets. Hope this article will be helpful in your C1 licence application and best luck with your examination!