Incorrectly selected category in the driver's license when driving a vehicle entails a fine of 5 to 15 thousand rubles, and the car itself is immediately evacuated to the parking lot. That is why understanding the current classification approved by the legislation of the Russian Federation is critical for every road user planning to change from a passenger car to a heavier vehicle or motor vehicle. The designation system, introduced after the 2014 reform, has significantly expanded the list of available groups and introduced division into subcategories, which requires drivers to carefully study the technical characteristics of their vehicles.
Currently, Russia has a strictly regulated system of control admission, which is based on the weight of the vehicle, the number of passenger seats, design features and the presence of a trailer. Driving licence The new sample contains graphs with letter designations, each of which opens access to a certain type of technology. Ignoring these distinctions can lead not only to financial losses, but also to the creation of an emergency situation if the driver does not have the skills to manage a particular class of equipment for which separate training is required.
This article is a detailed analysis of all existing categories, the conditions for their receipt and the nuances associated with the opening of additional rights. We will consider the differences between freight and passenger transport, understand the features of moped and ATV control, and explain what the composition of the category with a trailer means. Understanding these rules will allow you to legally manage equipment and avoid problems with traffic police inspectors when checking documents.
Major groups of rights for cars and trucks
The most common category in Russia is «B»It allows you to drive cars. According to the current regulations, this group includes vehicles with a permissible maximum mass of not more than 3,500 kilograms and a number of seats, in addition to the driver's seat, not more than eight. It is important to note that this category also gives the right to drive vehicles with a trailer, the maximum permissible mass of which does not exceed 750 kilograms.
If the mass of the trailer exceeds 750 kilograms, it can still be used with a passenger car of category "B", but only under two conditions: the total permissible maximum mass of the road train should not exceed 3,500 kilograms, and the mass of the trailer should not exceed the mass of the curbed car. Violation of these parameters automatically transfers the vehicle to another category, requiring the appropriate tolerance in the rights.
For heavier trucks, a category is intended «C». It covers trucks with a permissible maximum weight of more than 3,500 kilograms. This also includes trucks with a trailer, the maximum permissible weight of which does not exceed 750 kilograms. Drivers planning to work in the field of freight transport, it is necessary to consider that driving a Gazel with a gross weight of up to 3.5 tons requires category B rights, while a similar car with a larger capacity will require a category C.
⚠️ Attention: Driving a Category C vehicle with a Category B license is equivalent to driving without a license. Even if you are an experienced driver of a passenger car, without the appropriate mark in the license you will be fined and evacuated truck.
Special attention should be paid to the classification of trucks with heavy trailers. If a trailer weighing more than 750 kilograms is attached to a category C truck and the total mass of the train exceeds 3,500 kilograms, a category is required. «CE». This combination is often called a “fura” or “eurofura”, and it requires additional training and examinations at a specialized venue.
Passenger and bus services
The scope of passenger transportation is regulated by the category «D». This group includes vehicles designed for the carriage of passengers and having more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat. This is the main type of rights for bus drivers travelling on urban routes, as well as for intercity liners. As with trucks, there is a division by weight of the trailer.
Category D allows you to drive buses with a trailer, the weight of which does not exceed 750 kilograms. However, in real operation, buses are rarely used with light trailers. If the bus is coupled to a trailer weighing more than 750 kilograms, the presence of a category is required. «DE». Such trains are less common, mainly in specialized tourist or service transportation, where additional equipment or luggage is required.
There is also a subcategory. «D1»which often causes confusion. It is designed to drive cars for the carriage of passengers with 9 to 16 seats in addition to the driver's seat. These are called “buses” or small class buses. The advantage of this subcategory is that it does not require full experience for category D, which allows you to start a career in passenger transport faster.
It is important to remember the limitations: on cars of subcategory "D1" you can carry a trailer weighing no more than 750 kilograms. If you need to drive a minibus with a heavy trailer, you will have to open the category “D1E”. Drivers should be carefully checked passport vehicle, as the number of seats can vary depending on the configuration.
| Category | Type of TC | Seats (except driver) | Weight of trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | Buses. | More than 8. | 750 kg |
| D1 | Small buses | 9-16 | 750 kg |
| DE | Buses with trailer | More than 8. | over 750 kg |
| D1E | Small buses with trailer | 9-16 | over 750 kg |
Motor vehicles and mopeds
The two-wheeler is also strictly regulated. Category «A» It gives you the right to drive motorcycles. These include two-wheeled vehicles with or without a side trailer, the engine capacity exceeding 125 cubic centimeters, or the maximum power exceeding 11 kilowatts. These are classic motorcycles that require full training in motorcycle school.
For equipment with lower characteristics introduced a category «M». It covers mopeds and light quadricycles. This group includes equipment with an internal combustion engine displacement of no more than 50 cubic centimeters or a maximum electric motor power of 0.25 kW to 4 kW. The peculiarity of this category is that it opens automatically when you get any other rights (for example, car), but you can only drive a moped from the age of 16.
Features of subcategories A1 and B1
The A1 subcategory is designed for light motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to 125 cc. cm and up to 11 kW. Subcategory B1 gives access to tricycles and ATVs. Important: if the license in column 12 is marked AS, the driver with a license of category B can not drive tricycles and ATVs with a motorcycle landing.
There are also subcategories that specify the type of technology. Subcategory «A1» It allows you to drive light motorcycles (up to 125 cubic meters). cm «B1» - Tricycles and ATVs. If you have a full category "A" opens "A1", and if you have a category "B" - "B1" (with restrictions). Drivers of quad bikes should be especially careful: to control quad bikes with an engine capacity of more than 50 cubic meters often require tractor driver rights issued by the State Technical Supervision, and not the traffic police.
⚠️ Attention: Driving a moped or quad bike without the appropriate category (even if you have a license to a car) is an offence. Make sure that your ID has either an “M” or “B1” category open.
Trams and trolleybuses
A separate group consists of vehicles moving on rail tracks or using a contact network. Category «Tm» It is designed to operate trams and the category «Tb» - trolleybuses. These modes of transport require specific skills and knowledge other than driving conventional cars, so training on them takes place in specialized training centers, often under city transport authorities.
The right to a tram or trolleybus is only possible after reaching the age of 20 and having experience in driving vehicles of category D or C (depending on the requirements of the educational institution and the region). This is due to the high responsibility for the life of a large number of passengers and the complexity of managing overall transport in a dense urban flow.
It is worth noting that these categories are not included in the standard list of “car” rights and require a separate medical certificate with appropriate tolerances. Tram and trolley bus drivers undergo regular medical examinations and checks of knowledge of the rules of technical operation and traffic safety.
Tip: If you are planning a career as a public transport driver, start by getting a category D. This will open the doors to the profession and allow later, having gained experience, to switch to trolleybuses or trams.
Table of conformity of categories and requirements
A summary table is convenient for systematizing the requirements for drivers of different categories of vehicles. It helps to quickly navigate at a minimum age and the necessary experience for the opening of certain rights.
Age restrictions are established by law and cannot be changed at the request of the driver. For example, you can only drive a category A motorcycle from the age of 18, despite the fact that you can take a theoretical course earlier. Similarly, heavy trucks and buses are set at 21 years of age.
| Category | Min. age | Internship (for training) | Type of TC |
|---|---|---|---|
| A, A1, M | 16 years (M, A1), 18 years (A) | Not required | Motorcycles, mopeds |
| B, B1 | 17 years (training), 18 years (rights) | Not required | Passenger cars |
| C, C1 | 18 years | Not required | Trucks |
| D, D1 | 20 years | 1 year (B, C) or 2 years (C1) | Buses. |
| BE, CE, DE | 19 years (BE), 21 years (CE, DE) | 1 year (B, C, D, respectively) | With a trailer. |
The availability of experience is a prerequisite for the transition to higher categories, especially in the field of passenger transport. This requirement is aimed at ensuring safety, as driving a multi-ton bus requires honed skills that are acquired only with driving experience.
☑️ Checklist before submitting documents to the traffic police
Trailers and combinations of vehicles
The issue of driving vehicles with a trailer often causes difficulties. The basic rule is that if the permissible maximum mass of the trailer does not exceed 750 kilograms, the rights of the basic category (B, C or D) are sufficient. However, if the mass of the trailer is larger, restrictions on the total mass of the road train come into force.
For passenger cars (category B), there is an exception: it is possible to tow a trailer weighing more than 750 kg, if the total mass of the car and trailer does not exceed 3,500 kg. In this case, a separate category of "BE" is not required. But if you plan to transport heavy equipment, boats or trailers, the weight of which in the sum of the car exceeds 3.5 tons, the opening of the category «BE» becomes mandatory.
For trucks and buses, the rules are stricter. Any excess of 750 kg of trailer mass combined with a vehicle mass of more than 3,500 kg requires a composite category (CE, C1E, DE, D1E). Training in these categories includes practical exercises in coupling and uncoupling and maneuvering with a long composition.
⚠️ Attention: The trailer device of the car must be certified, and the trailer itself is registered with the traffic police and have a license plate. Towing of an unregistered trailer is prohibited.
Always check the column 12 (restrictions) and column 14 (expirement date) in the driver's license. The absence of an open category or subcategory is equated with a management without rights.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I drive a motorcycle with a B license?
No, you can't. Category B only allows you to drive passenger cars and tricycles/quad bikes (subcategory B1), not two-wheeled motorcycles. For motorcycle riding, category A or A1 is required.
Do I need to open the M category separately if I have a car license?
No, you don't. According to the law, when you receive any driving category (A, B, C, D, etc.), the category "M" is automatically opened for moped control. However, you can only drive a moped from the age of 16.
What does the AS code in your driver’s license mean?
Automotive Steering (AS) means a limitation. If it is in column 12 opposite the category B1, it means that the driver can only drive those tricycles and ATVs that have the automotive type of steering. Managing equipment with a motorcycle steering wheel (motorcycle type) with such a mark is prohibited.
How long is a medical certificate valid to replace your rights?
Medical certificate (form 003-V/y) is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. During this period, you must submit documents to the traffic police to replace the driver's license.
Can you open a D category without driving a B or C category?
No, you can't. For training in category D (buses) it is required to have a driving experience of at least 1 year in category B, C or D1, or at least 2 years in category C1. It is also necessary to reach the age of 20.