Licence categories
Category B licence: which vehicles can I drive?
Key checks on mass, seats, trailers and codes to understand what category B allows.
Category B covers motor vehicles up to 3,500 kg with no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver. You may tow a trailer up to 750 kg; heavier combinations are subject to the B, code 96 or BE limits.
The rule for motor vehicles
Category B is the most common licence for cars and other motor vehicles within the legal definition, including its mass and seating limits. “Ordinary car” is not precise enough: vans, motor caravans and special-purpose vehicles may fall outside the usual limits. Before driving another vehicle, compare its approval category and maximum authorised mass in its documents with the Highway Code.
For trailers, consider the complete combination. The required licence depends on the towing vehicle’s and trailer’s maximum authorised masses and the thresholds for B, harmonised code 96 and BE. The load’s weight that day is not the only factor: use the figures in the vehicle documents, as well as the towing vehicle’s technical capacity. A car may be authorised to tow less than the driver’s licence would allow.
A category B licence also allows A1 motorcycles in Italy (up to 125 cc, 11 kW and 0.1 kW/kg) and motor tricycles above 15 kW from age 21. For alternative-fuel vehicles without a trailer, the limit may reach 4,250 kg when the extra mass comes from the propulsion system and you have held B for at least two years. This exception does not allow extra payload.
- Check mass and seating capacity in the vehicle documents.
- For a trailer, check the maximum authorised masses of both vehicles and the combination.
- Read the codes and restrictions printed on your licence.
Extensions and limits
The law sets specific cases in which B covers additional vehicles or combinations, but all conditions must be met. Some permissions depend on when the licence was obtained, a code or vehicle characteristics; do not apply them to every licence holder. If considering a heavy motor caravan, alternative-fuel vehicle or trailer, check the relevant MIT guidance and current legislation. The vehicle documents and technical characteristics also determine permitted masses.
Category B is not a professional qualification. Carrying people or goods for work may involve further requirements depending on the activity and vehicle. For a specific question, consult the Motorizzazione or competent authorities; an insurer can explain contractual terms but does not determine the required licence category.
A check before setting off
To prepare for the category B theory test,Quiz Patente Ufficiale offers chapter-based study, timed exam tests and review of mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the mass and seating limits for category B?
The vehicle may have a maximum authorised mass up to 3,500 kg and carry at most eight passengers in addition to the driver. For trailers, calculate the combination using both vehicles’ maximum authorised masses.
For a trailer, does its actual weight or the figure on the registration document count?
Licence thresholds refer to maximum authorised masses under the rules; compare the documents and the vehicle’s towing capacity.