C1 car for exam
Author
Discussion

Piston2022

Original Poster:

104 posts

37 months

Thursday 17th April 2025
quotequote all
I’m planning to transport my race car using a recovery truck instead of towing it. Fed up with towing and idiots on the road

From what I understand, most vans weigh around 2 tons or more, which means the remaining payload capacity is only about 1000–1300 kg. That includes the driver and passenger, right? So it’s not enough to safely carry a car.


Here is what I am reading

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rules-for-lorries-used...

One option is to get a Category C or HGV license, but I’d rather not spend £2,000. The other option I’m considering is getting a C1 license and using my own vehicle for the test.

I have a few questions:
• Can I take the C1 driving test using my own vehicle?
• The DVLA site mainly talks about cars under Category B. Is there a minimum weight or spec required for the vehicle used in a C1 test?

I’m thinking of buying a cheap £1,000 recovery truck that might need a bit of work. For the test, I’d ask a friend to drive my car to the test centre and load it onto the truck there. That way, I won’t get pulled over on the way if it’s not technically allowed yet. If I fail the test, I’d just unload the car and have my friend drive it back.

The only real cost for me would be the test itself, since I already did the medical a while back when I was planning to go for an HGV license (just never followed through).

Any advice would be really appreciated

miniman

29,100 posts

283 months

Thursday 17th April 2025
quotequote all
govuk said:
A category C1 vehicle is a medium-sized lorry:

with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of at least 4 tonnes
at least 5 metres long
with a closed box cargo compartment at least as wide and as high as the cab
Does a recovery truck with a car on the back satisfy that last requirement?

RicksAlfas

14,252 posts

265 months

Thursday 17th April 2025
quotequote all
Just a link pulled at random, but these guys reckon you can carry 1,400 - 1,500kg on a 3.5T transporter.
Wouldn't that be enough? Saves a lot of hassle for you.

https://www.transporterhire.co.uk/car_transporters...

Piston2022

Original Poster:

104 posts

37 months

Thursday 17th April 2025
quotequote all
Issue is mam includes passenger weight as I understand ( happy to be corrected) and tools etc will be way over

RicksAlfas

14,252 posts

265 months

Thursday 17th April 2025
quotequote all
Piston2022 said:
Issue is mam includes passenger weight as I understand ( happy to be corrected) and tools etc will be way over
Yes. 3.5T is total gross vehicle weight.
Fuel, packed lunch, cargo, passengers everything.

Piston2022

Original Poster:

104 posts

37 months

Thursday 17th April 2025
quotequote all
miniman said:
Does a recovery truck with a car on the back satisfy that last requirement?
Don’t know, i guess it is not closed can for sure

Hence why I posted
Dvsa asked to contact test centre and I plan to

Krikkit

27,771 posts

202 months

Thursday 17th April 2025
quotequote all
Just de-risk everything and get a cat C licence imho.