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Specialist vehicle classification

Types of Specialist Vehicles

The following vehicles are classified as specialist vehicles.

Three or four-wheeled light vehicles - category B1

Motor tricycles or quadricycles in category B1 have:

  • three or four wheels
  • a design speed greater than 50 km per hour
  • an unladen weight of no more than 550 kg

These vehicles may be designed as a small car with car-type controls or a motorcycle with motorcycle-type controls. You must be 17 years old to use a vehicle in this category.

Agricultural tractors - category F

Agricultural or forestry tractors:

  • have two or more axles
  • are constructed for use as a tractor for work off the road in connection with agriculture or forestry

If you want to drive tractors on public roads you must be at least 16 years old. At 16 you are restricted to a tractor which is no more than 2.45 metres wide and only driving on the road when travelling to and from a driving test appointment until you’ve passed your category F driving test.

If you are driving a category F vehicle in Northern Ireland you may also drive at 16, when engaged in the course of agricultural operations, on any road which is not a road where the maximum speed limit under Article 50 of the Order is 30 miles per hour or less.

At 17 years old you can drive any tractor and you can drive unaccompanied on the road displaying L plates, or D plates in Wales.

Road rollers - category G

Before you can apply for a provisional licence for a category G you must have passed a test for a vehicle in category B.

At 17 years old you can drive a road roller:

  • with metal rollers
  • weighing less than 11.69 tonnes unladen
  • which isn’t steam propelled

At 21 years old you can drive other road rollers. These include rollers:

  • which have pneumatic, resilient or elastic tyres
  • that weigh more than 11.69 tonnes unladen
  • that are steam propelled

Track laying vehicles steered by their tracks - category H

Before you can apply for a provisional licence for a category H you must have passed a test for a vehicle in category B.

You must be at least 21 years old to drive these vehicles.

Mowing machines or pedestrian-controlled vehicles - category K

Mowing machines are specialist, ride-on, grass-cutting vehicles with permanent cutting equipment.

A pedestrian-controlled vehicle is a powered vehicle where the operator walks with the vehicle, and does not ride on it. This vehicle is not treated as a motor vehicle, so you will not need a driving licence to use one.

You must be 16 years old to drive these vehicles.

Specialist test vehicles

It is your responsibility to make sure that the vehicle you are going to use for your practical test is legally roadworthy and has a current MOT certificate (if required). The vehicle must be fully covered for use on the test and for you to drive.

Your examiner will ask you to sign a declaration that your insurance is in order. The test won’t be conducted if you can’t do so.

Your vehicle should also display:

  • a valid tax disc
  • L plates displayed to the front and rear (or D plates in Wales if you want)

L plates should not be displayed:

  • on any windscreen or back window where they could obstruct your view
  • where they will cover any lights or indicators

If you do not comply with these rules your test may be cancelled and you could lose your fee.

Unsuitable vehicles

Your examiner will check that your vehicle is suitable on a practical driving test. The test cannot be conducted if the vehicle:

  • is operating on trade plates
  • does not display a valid tax disc
  • is carrying any loose items which could fall off
  • has damaged lights or indicators
  • has broken or missing mirrors
  • is carrying any load
  • could be a danger to other road users due to damage
  • is fitted with an item of equipment which may cause a danger to other road users
  • has such a poor view that you need another person to help when carrying out manoeuvres or at junctions
  • is in category B1, where the examiner travels in the vehicle but he or she can’t see clearly behind

The condition of your vehicle

Your vehicle must:

  • have clean number plates and lights
  • not be carrying a load, or be partly loaded
  • not be towing a trailer
  • not drop mud or any debris on the road

Your vehicle must also be mechanically sound. All equipment required by law must be fitted and working correctly.


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Page last updated: 22/11/2005