Can I drive a recovery truck on a car licence?

Particularly when you’re just starting out, finding your way around driving licences can feel like a dizzying affair.

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On the rear of your driving licence you will find the codes and restrictions for your licence.  These vary with the tests you have taken and the date at which you obtained your licence.

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So, here, we’ll try to answer the common question can I drive a recovery truck on a car licence?

<h3>Can I drive a recovery truck on a car licence?</h3>

A category B licence, also known as the generic car licence, allows a driver to operate any vehicle up to 3,500kg with less than 8 seats, with or without a trailer weighing up to 750kg. However, it’s important to note that the two combined can’t weigh any more than 3,500kg.

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This means that, realistically, the majority of recovery trucks available will be too heavy to be driven on a category B licence, and would require a category C1 or C licence.

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However, there are some recovery vehicles available that you may be able to drive on a car licence, dependent on the weight of the vehicle recovered, such as:

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<b>The Ultra Car Transporter:</b> with a kerb weight of 1875kg, the <a href="<https://www.advanced-kfs.co.uk/vehicle/ultra-car-transporter/>">Ultra Transporter</a> is a lightweight and versatile, fully customisable recovery truck. Built upon a lightweight galvanised chassis, the Ultra Transporter features an extended wheelbase plus torsion bar rear suspension for driving characteristics when loaded or unloaded. <a href="<https://www.advanced-kfs.co.uk/contact/>">Contact us</a> to find out more.

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<img class="wp-image-3065 aligncenter" src="<https://www.advanced-kfs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Ultra-Image-300x210.jpg>" alt="Single Car Transporter" width="261" height="183" />

<h3>What can I drive on C1 to D licences?</h3>

<b>C1 licence:</b> for medium-sized vehicles weighing between 3,500 and 7,500kg with or without a trailer weighing up to 750kg.

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<b>C licence:</b> for large goods vehicles (LGVs) weighing over 3,500kg with a trailer weighing up to 750kg.

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<b>D1 licence: </b>for minibuses with between 9 and 16 passenger seats, with or without a trailer weighing up to 750kg.

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<b>D licence:</b> for buses with more than 8 passenger seats and a trailer weighing up to 750kg.

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These codes and restrictions on your license are subject to change and we would recommend that you visit the government website to get the most up to date information.

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So, to summarise; if you only have a car licence, there are some recovery truck options available to you, but for anything over 3,500kg you will need a specific category driving licence.

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To browse our range of recovery vehicles, <a href="<https://www.advanced-kfs.co.uk/category/services/car-motorcycle-transport-recovery/>">click here</a>, or <a href="<https://www.advanced-kfs.co.uk/contact/>">contact us</a> today.