Minimum test vehicle requirements for buses and lorries and related trailer tests

Any vehicle or vehicle and trailer combinations presented for use at a test must meet minimum test vehicle standards. These standards are part of European Community legislation on driver licensing. The UK as a member of the European Union is obliged to comply with these requirements.

Vehicle Requirements

All vehicles used for Categories C1, C1 + E, C, C + E, D1,D1 + E, D and D + E tests must have externally mounted nearside and offside mirrors for use by the examiner and seatbelts fitted to seats used by the examiner or any person supervising the test.

All vehicles presented for test must be fitted with a tachograph and an anti-lock braking system (ABS). Trailers however don’t need to be fitted with ABS. All vehicle combinations must operate the appropriate service brakes and utilise a heavy duty coupling arrangement suitable for the weight.

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

Medium-sized goods vehicles

Category C1

Any vehicle in sub-category C1 having a maximum authorised mass of at least 4,000 kilograms, with a length of at least five metres and capable of a speed of at least 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) on the level. The cargo compartment shall consist of a closed box body which is at least as wide and (when in position) as high as the cab.

Category C1 + E

A combination of a minimum test vehicle for category C1 and a trailer having a maximum authorised mass of at least 2,000 kilograms; this combination shall be at least eight metres in length and capable of a speed of at least 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) on the level.

The relevant cargo compartment of the trailer shall consist of a closed box body which is at least as wide and as high as the corresponding dimensions of the cab or tractor vehicle. The closed box body may also be slightly less wide than the tractor vehicle provided that the view to the rear is only possible by use of the external rear-view mirrors of the tractor vehicle.

Large goods vehicles

Category C

Any vehicle in category C other than an articulated goods vehicle having a maximum authorised mass of at least 12,000 kilograms, a length of at least eight metres, a width of at least 2.40 metres and capable of a speed of at least 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) on the level; equipped with a gearbox having at least eight forward gears.

Category C + E

There are two types of test vehicle in the C + E category:

Either:

an articulated goods vehicle combination having a maximum authorised mass of at least 20,000 kilograms, a length of at least 14 metres and a width of at least 2.4 metres, and which is capable of a speed of at least 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) on the level; equipped with a gearbox having at least eight forward gears, or
a combination of a minimum test vehicle for category C and a trailer having a length of at least 7.5 metres (each having a width of at least 2.4 metres), a maximum authorised mass of at least 4,000 kilograms, and which has, in aggregate, a maximum authorised mass of at least 20,000 kilograms and an overall length of at least 14 metres and which is capable of a speed of at least 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) on the level.

The relevant cargo compartment of the articulated goods vehicle combination or the trailer shall consist of a closed box body which is at least as wide and as high as the corresponding dimensions of the cab or tractor vehicle.

Passenger carrying vehicles (buses)

Category D1

Any vehicle in sub-category D1 with 9-16 passenger seats having a maximum authorised mass of at least 4,000 kilograms, with a minimum length of five metres and capable of a speed of at least 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) on the level.

Category D1 + E

A combination of a minimum test vehicle for category D1 and a trailer having a maximum authorised mass of at least 1,250 kilograms and capable of a speed of at least 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) on the level; the cargo compartment of the trailer shall consist of a closed box body which is at least two metres wide and at least two metres high.

Category D

Any vehicle in category D having more than eight passenger seats, a length of at least 10 metres, a width of at least 2.40 metres and capable of a speed of at least 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) on the level.

Category D + E

A combination of a minimum test vehicle for category D and a trailer having a maximum authorised mass of at least 1,250 kilograms, a width of at least 2.40 metres and capable of a speed of at least 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) on the level; the cargo compartment of the trailer shall consist of a closed box body which is at least two metres wide and at least two metres high.

Please note: stretched limousines and prison vans based on a lorry chassis are not suitable vehicles for a PCV (category D1 or D) test.

PCV’s over six metres with restricted rear vision are considered suitable vehicles for test, as the braking exercise is carried out off-road. PCV’s which are six metres or less with restricted rear vision are not suitable as the braking exercise is carried out on-road and the examiner needs to ensure the road directly behind is clear before the exercise can be performed.

All vehicle combinations must operate the appropriate service brakes and utilise a heavy duty coupling arrangement suitable for the weight. Trailers must have landing legs, stand or jockey wheel fitted which are in good working order. Where ABS is fitted to a trailer, it must be working and have the correct connections to the drawing vehicle (the ISO lead).