Changes to driving licence confirmed.
Discussion
Thought this might be of interest:
Fleet News said:
A single driving licence model will be introduced across Europe from January 19, and new rules about the design of the licence card itself and the period for which it is valid.
This will:
stop citizens, police forces and those responsible for the issuing of driving licences becoming confused by conflicting rules in different countries, and
should help prevent criminals producing fraudulent driving licences.
This is hoped to make it easier for countries to accept driving licences issued by other member states and let people living in these countries move more freely around Europe.
All new driving licences will be issued in the new format – for new learner drivers and those who pass a test, and replace all existing valid licences with the new format when drivers notify a change, exchange or renew their licence.
All vehicle categories will be shown on the back of your licence with dates shown against those you are entitled to drive. Drivers will not be entitled to drive any category of vehicle that has lines shown instead of dates.
Drivers will keep the entitlements they had when they passed their driving test and the types of vehicles that applied to those entitlements at that time. To learn to drive or pass a test to drive additional vehicles on or after 19 January 2013, drivers will have to meet any new minimum age limits, and the entitlement they receive will be as described under the new rules.
More detail about how they affect existing drivers/riders and those intending to become drivers/riders on or after 19 January 2013 can be found in the Fact Sheets by clicking the link below.
The Fact Sheets cover:
Fact Sheet 1: Motorcycles, mopeds and tricycles
Fact Sheet 2: Vehicles that can be driven and the age restrictions for driving
Fact Sheet 3: Drivers of buses and lorries (medium and large goods and passenger carrying vehicles) – new driving licence validity periods
Fact Sheet 4: The new driving licence card design explained
Fact Sheet 5: Trailer restrictions for car and small vehicle drivers.
More on this subject here.This will:
stop citizens, police forces and those responsible for the issuing of driving licences becoming confused by conflicting rules in different countries, and
should help prevent criminals producing fraudulent driving licences.
This is hoped to make it easier for countries to accept driving licences issued by other member states and let people living in these countries move more freely around Europe.
All new driving licences will be issued in the new format – for new learner drivers and those who pass a test, and replace all existing valid licences with the new format when drivers notify a change, exchange or renew their licence.
All vehicle categories will be shown on the back of your licence with dates shown against those you are entitled to drive. Drivers will not be entitled to drive any category of vehicle that has lines shown instead of dates.
Drivers will keep the entitlements they had when they passed their driving test and the types of vehicles that applied to those entitlements at that time. To learn to drive or pass a test to drive additional vehicles on or after 19 January 2013, drivers will have to meet any new minimum age limits, and the entitlement they receive will be as described under the new rules.
More detail about how they affect existing drivers/riders and those intending to become drivers/riders on or after 19 January 2013 can be found in the Fact Sheets by clicking the link below.
The Fact Sheets cover:
Fact Sheet 1: Motorcycles, mopeds and tricycles
Fact Sheet 2: Vehicles that can be driven and the age restrictions for driving
Fact Sheet 3: Drivers of buses and lorries (medium and large goods and passenger carrying vehicles) – new driving licence validity periods
Fact Sheet 4: The new driving licence card design explained
Fact Sheet 5: Trailer restrictions for car and small vehicle drivers.
Thanks.
Interestingly, as I read it, the trailer law seems to have been worded differently now. It always used to be that I could tow a trailer with a vehicle as long as the combined MAM of the car and trailer doesn't exceed 3,500kg. Not it seems I can tow a trailer as long as the actual weight of the car and trailer doesn't exceed 3,500kg.
That gives me quite a bit more weight.
Also, could someone confirm the difference here, they seem the same...
Licences held from 1 January 1997
If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can drive either:
a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500 kilograms (kg) Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (with a combined weight of up to 4,250kg in total)
a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as it is no more than the unladen or ‘kerb’ weight of the towing vehicle (with a combined weight of up to 3,500kg in total)
and
Licences issued from 19 January 2013
From 19 January 2013, drivers passing a category B (car and small vehicle) test can tow:
small trailers weighing no more than 750kg
trailers weighing more than 750kg, where the combined weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer isn’t more than 3,500kg
If you want to tow a trailer weighing more than 750kg, when the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer is more than 3,500kg, you’ll have to pass a further test and get B+E entitlement on your licence.
You’ll then be able to tow trailers up to 3,500kg
Interestingly, as I read it, the trailer law seems to have been worded differently now. It always used to be that I could tow a trailer with a vehicle as long as the combined MAM of the car and trailer doesn't exceed 3,500kg. Not it seems I can tow a trailer as long as the actual weight of the car and trailer doesn't exceed 3,500kg.
That gives me quite a bit more weight.
Also, could someone confirm the difference here, they seem the same...
Licences held from 1 January 1997
If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can drive either:
a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500 kilograms (kg) Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (with a combined weight of up to 4,250kg in total)
a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as it is no more than the unladen or ‘kerb’ weight of the towing vehicle (with a combined weight of up to 3,500kg in total)
and
Licences issued from 19 January 2013
From 19 January 2013, drivers passing a category B (car and small vehicle) test can tow:
small trailers weighing no more than 750kg
trailers weighing more than 750kg, where the combined weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer isn’t more than 3,500kg
If you want to tow a trailer weighing more than 750kg, when the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer is more than 3,500kg, you’ll have to pass a further test and get B+E entitlement on your licence.
You’ll then be able to tow trailers up to 3,500kg
EDLT said:
Is this the change that was going to allow 16 year olds to drive quadricycles on the road?
This from the Gov website:New rules from January 2013
The rules for motorcycle and moped licences will change from 19 January 2013.
How this will affect you depends on whether you’re a new rider after the rules take effect or an existing rider.
New drivers
If you’re a new rider and pass your test on or after 19 January 2013 you’ll be affected by the new rules.
You’re allowed to ride any vehicle listed across from your licence category.
AM Light quadricycles (weighing under 350 kg, top speed 45 km/h) Compulsory basic training (CBT), theory test, practical test 16
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