Categories Description Minimum age
C Vehicles over 3500kg with a trailer up to 750kg, and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver, with a trailer up to 750kg 21*
C+E Vehicles over 3500kg, and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver, with a trailer over 750kg 21*
*You can drive at age 17 if a member of the armed services.
**You can drive at 18 if one of the following apply:
you passed your driving test and Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) Initial Qualification
you are learning to drive or taking a driving test for this category or Driver CPC Initial Qualification
you are taking a national vocational training course to get a Driver CPC Initial Qualification
you had your driving licence before 10 September 2009, you must take the CPC periodic training within five years of this date.
2006 i think.
changed when the dcpc came into force so 10/09/2009 for LGV
There were lots of changes made in 1997 concerning driver entitlements.A 17 year old cant drive a 7.5.tonner or a 16 seat mini bus anymore.New rules also apply to towing trailers,as the law can be complicated it would be as well to check out the details if you are a younger driver.
There were lots of changes made in 1997 concerning driver entitlements.A 17 year old cant drive a 7.5.tonner or a 16 seat mini bus anymore.New rules also apply to towing trailers,as the law can be complicated it would be as well to check out the details if you are a younger driver.
alamcculloch:
A 17 year old cant drive a 7.5.tonner
It was always 18 even prior to 1997. As for the OP, if you mean 18 for an HGV then 2009 due to the dcpc although there was the young driver scheme before that which allowed driving at 18.
Sorry i completely cocked up what i was trying to say 
i meant when did they decide to change the age back to 21 again?
matizerSCANIAR480:
Sorry i completely cocked up what i was trying to say
They (whoever they are) havent changed anything, a small clue may be the 8 passengers you are trying to fit in your cab
For D or D+E it is 21
Wheel Nut:
matizerSCANIAR480:
Sorry i completely cocked up what i was trying to sayThey (whoever they are) havent changed anything, a small clue may be the 8 passengers you are trying to fit in your cab
For D or D+E it is 21
So ive got it all mixed up and i’ll be able to get my class 1 at 18?
matizerSCANIAR480:
Wheel Nut:
matizerSCANIAR480:
Sorry i completely cocked up what i was trying to sayThey (whoever they are) havent changed anything, a small clue may be the 8 passengers you are trying to fit in your cab
For D or D+E it is 21
So ive got it all mixed up and i’ll be able to get my class 1 at 18?
No, you will be able to get your C+E at 18
have a search for Sam Millar
Wheel Nut:
matizerSCANIAR480:
Wheel Nut:
matizerSCANIAR480:
Sorry i completely cocked up what i was trying to sayThey (whoever they are) havent changed anything, a small clue may be the 8 passengers you are trying to fit in your cab
For D or D+E it is 21
So ive got it all mixed up and i’ll be able to get my class 1 at 18?
No, you will be able to get your C+E at 18
have a search for Sam Millar
it was Sam on facebook telling everyone that the age limit was changing.
What is the position for D1 licences for a younger driver ,not for hire or reward.?
alamcculloch:
What is the position for D1 licences for a younger driver ,not for hire or reward.?
Your question is of no relevance. D1 (not for hire or reward) was only granted with car tests passed before 1 January 1997, making the youngest person who now holds this entitlement 31 years old (the age limit for category B is 16 if the person is in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance).
Since 1 January 1997 it is not possible to obtain D1 (not for hire or reward) entitlement - D1 entitlement can only be gained by passing a D1 or D test.
Under certain circumstances, it is possible to drive a minibus not for hire or reward on a category B licence - typically when the minibus is on a section 19 permit. I cannot find any changes in these rules from January 2013.
I’ve just posted a detailed analysis of the changes in the LGV and PCV minimum ages from January 2013 in this post, which is written based on the UK regulations implementing the Third Driving Licence Directive rather than the somewhat misleading DVLA web site. In essence, very little will change - though some age limits are increasing after January 2013, existing young PCV holders retain their PCV privileges. The age limits for all LGV and PCV categories remain at 18 for anyone who holds the relevant Driver CPC, is training for an initial Driver CPC test or is training for a practical driving test.