Driving license category B (B) - the most common in Russia, but many owners are still confused about the nuances of transporting passengers. Is it possible to seat 8 people in Gazelle Next, if the permissions are only B? Is it legal to tow a trailer with people inside? And what happens if the traffic police inspector stops you for overloading? In this article we will analyze all the relevant 2026 rules - from the number of places to the subtleties of paperwork.

Arguing with the inspector on the road is the worst strategy. Knowing the laws will help you avoid fines up to 3,000 rubles (according to Article 12.23 of the Administrative Code) and save your nerves. We have analyzed Traffic rules, Federal Law "On Road Safety" and explanations from the traffic police to give clear answers. We’ll also show you how to legally increase the passenger capacity of your car.

Category B: what the law says about the number of passengers

Category B The driver's license gives the right to drive:

  • 🚗 Passenger cars with mass up to 3.5 tons and the number of seats up to 8 (not counting the driver).
  • 🚐 By minibuses (for example, Ford Transit or Peugeot Boxer), if their weight is ≤ 3.5 tons and passenger capacity ≤ 8.
  • 🛻 Passenger cars with trailer (trailer weight ≤ 750 kg, or until 3.5 t with a total weight of the road train ≤ 3.5 t).

Key point: the law does not limit so much weight, how much number of seats. For example, in Toyota Hiace there may be 9 seats (driver + 8 passengers), but if the vehicle weight is ≤ 3.5 tons, category license B enough. But for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with 17 places a category will already be required D.

📊 What car do you use to transport passengers?
Passenger sedan/hatchback
Minibus (up to 8 seats)
SUV (5-7 seats)
Another option

Important: the number of passengers is determined not the actual number of people in the cabin, and technical characteristics of the vehiclespecified in PTS and STS. Even if you only carry 3 people in a 7-seater Kia Carnival, but you only have rights B, and the car weighs 3.6 tons - this is a violation.

How many seats does category B allow: table by car type

Vehicle type Max. weight (t) Max. passengers (without driver) Model example Required category
Passenger sedan/hatchback ≤ 3,5 4–5 Lada Vesta, Hyundai Solaris B
Crossover/SUV ≤ 3,5 5–7 Toyota RAV4, Kia Sorento B
Minivan ≤ 3,5 6–8 Volkswagen Multivan, Lada Largus B
Minibus ≤ 3,5 8 Ford Transit Custom, Peugeot Traveller B
Minibus > 3,5 9+ Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, GAZelle City D (or D1)

Please note: in PTS and STS indicated permissible maximum weight (not to be confused with the actual one!). For example, Gazelle Next in the basic configuration it weighs ~2.1 tons, but it may be stated in the documents 3.5 t. If it is indicated there 3.6 t - a category will be required for management C.

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Before purchasing a minibus, check the “Permitted maximum weight” line in the vehicle title. Even if the car actually weighs less than 3.5 tons, but in the documents it costs more, a category B license is not enough.

Is it possible to carry more than 8 passengers with category B?

No, absolutely not possible. Even if:

  • 🚗 The car weighs ≤ 3.5 tons, but there are 9+ seats installed in the cabin (for example, homemade remodeling).
  • 👶 You are taking children (the rules count any seat, even a child seat).
  • 🛻 You are towing a trailer with passengers (carrying people in a trailer always prohibited, except for special residential trailers with permits).

Exception - residential motorhomes (campers) based on minibuses (for example, Volkswagen California). They are allowed to carry passengers in the number specified in PTS, but no more than 8 (without driver). However, to drive such a camper weighing > 3.5 tons you will still need a category C.

What happens if you transport 9 people with a category B license?

The traffic police inspector qualifies this as driving a vehicle without the appropriate category (Part 1 of Article 12.7 of the Administrative Code). The fine is from 5,000 to 15,000 rubles, and in some cases, deprivation of rights for 3–6 months. In addition, MTPL insurance will not cover damage in an accident, since the driver did not have the right to drive this vehicle.

How to legally increase the passenger capacity of a car

If you need to transport more than 8 passengers, there are two legal options:

  1. Get category D or D1:
    • 📄 D1 — for cars with 9–16 seats (weight ≤ 3.5 t, length ≤ 8 m).
    • 📄 D — for buses with 16+ seats.
  • Re-register a car:
    • 🔧 Install additional seats in a certified technical center.
    • 📋 Get new STS with updated passenger capacity (maximum 8 seats for category B).

    Important: unauthorized redevelopment of the interior (for example, adding a third row to Toyota Land Cruiser) without making changes to PTS equals illegal modification of the vehicle design. Fine - up to 500 rubles (Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code), but the main problem is the refusal of insurance payment in case of an accident.

    1. Check the permissible weight in the vehicle title (must be ≤ 3.5 t)

    2. Contact an accredited technical center for conversion

    3. Obtain an opinion on the safety of the changes

    4. Re-register the vehicle with the traffic police with a new STS-->

    Fines for violating the rules for transporting passengers

    Penalties depend on the type of violation:

    Violation Fine (2026) Article of the Administrative Code
    Carriage of >8 passengers with category B 5,000–15,000 rub. or deprivation of rights for 3–6 months. Part 1 Art. 12.7
    Exceeding the permitted vehicle weight 1,000–1,500 rub. (for individuals) Part 1 Art. 12.21.1
    Transporting people in a trailer 1,000 rub. Part 2 Art. 12.23
    Unbelted passengers 1,000 rub. (per driver) Part 3 Art. 12.6

    They are especially severely punished for transportation of children without seats. According to Part 3 of Art. 12.23 of the Code of Administrative Offences, the fine is 3,000 rubles (for the driver) and 25,000 rubles (for officials, if we are talking about commercial transportation). In this case, the inspector has the right stop the vehicle from moving until the violation is eliminated (clause 2.3.1 of the traffic rules).

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    The largest fine is for driving a vehicle without the appropriate category (up to 15,000 rubles). Even if the car weighs 3.4 tons, but there are 9 seats in the cabin, this automatically requires category D1.

    Frequently asked questions and myths about category B

    Let's look at common misconceptions:

    ⚠️ Attention: If in PTS "special signals" is indicated, but the car has been converted for passenger transportation (for example, a former ambulance), a category is still required to drive B — provided that the weight is ≤ 3.5 tons and seats ≤ 8.

    Myth 1: “You can drive a minibus with a B license if you don’t fill all the seats.”

    ❌ Reality: Category determined technical characteristics of the vehicle, not the actual download. Even empty GAZelle for 13 seats requires category D1.

    Myth 2: "Category B allows you to tow any trailer."

    ❌ Reality: Permitted trailer weighing ≤ 750 kg or until 3.5 t, if the total weight of the road train ≤ 3.5 t. Heavy trailers require a category BE.

    Myth 3: "Category B includes driving motorcycles with sidecars."

    ❌ Reality: Motorcycles require a category A (or A1), even if they have 3 wheels. Category B gives the right only to tricycles and quadricycles (for example, Yamaha Tricity).

    FAQ: Answers to pressing questions

    Is it possible to drive with category B Gazelle Next for 9 seats, if its mass is 3.4 tons?

    No. Despite the weight ≤ 3.5 t, number of seats (9) requires category D1. The exception is if PTS ≤ 8 seats are registered (for example, cargo-passenger version).

    Is Category D required for driving? Volkswagen Transporter with 8 passenger seats?

    No, the category is enough B, if the vehicle weight is ≤ 3.5 tons. But check PTS: some modifications Transporter have a permissible weight of 3.6–4 tons - they will require C.

    Is it possible to carry 8 passengers + driver in Ford Tourneo Custom with category B?

    Yes, if in STS 8 passenger seats are specified. The total number of people in the cabin (driver + 8 passengers) should not exceed permitted passenger capacityspecified in the documents.

    What happens if there is an error in the PTS - it says 9 places, but in fact there are 8?

    In this case the rule applies: documents have priority. Until the error is corrected in the traffic police, you must comply with the restrictions on PTS, that is, category B doesn't fit.

    Is it possible to carry people in a caravan trailer with category B?

    No, even in caravans (campers) transportation of people is prohibited (clause 22.8 of the traffic rules). An exception is special trailers with permission from the traffic police (for example, for transporting workers in closed areas).

    Remember: the traffic police inspector checks when stopping not only rights, but also compliance of the vehicle with documents. If in STS 7 seats are indicated, but 8 people are sitting in the cabin - this is a fine 500 rubles (Part 1 of Article 12.23 of the Administrative Code) for violating transportation rules.

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    Always check the data in the PTS/STS with the actual equipment of the car. Even if the seller assures that “everything is in order,” official documents take precedence over verbal promises.