Article 6 — Driving licence categories

1. The driving licence shall entitle the holder to drive power-driven vehicles according to the following categorisation: (a) mopeds: category AM: two-wheel vehicles or three-wheel vehicles with a maximum design speed of not more than 45 km/h and a maximum net power not exceeding 4 kW, excluding those with a maximum design speed under or equal to 25 km/h; light quadricycles; (b) motorcycles and powered tricycles: (i) category A1: motorcycles with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125 cubic centimetres, of a maximum net power not exceeding 11 kW and with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0,1 kW/kg; powered tricycles with a maximum net power not exceeding 15 kW; (ii) category A2: motorcycles of a maximum net power not exceeding 35 kW and with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0,2 kW/kg and not derived from a vehicle the net power of which exceeds 70 kW; (iii) category A: motorcycles; powered tricycles with a maximum net power exceeding 15 kW; Power-driven vehicles in the categories referred to in point (a) and in this point may be combined with a trailer having a maximum authorised mass which does not exceed half the unladen mass of the towing vehicle. Member States may apply additional conditions to the driving licences they issue, based on considerations of road safety. (c) motor vehicles: (i) category B1: heavy quadricycles. Category B1 is optional; in Member States which do not introduce this category of driving licence, a driving licence for category B shall be required to drive such vehicles. Those Member States may refuse to exchange a driving licence in respect of category B1; Member States may also decide to introduce, for driving on their territory, this category exclusively for the vehicles referred to in Article 9(4), first subparagraph, point (c), under the conditions provided for in that paragraph and subject to the additional requirements that the driver is under 21 years of age at the time the driving licence is issued, and that the driving licence for this category expires when the holder turns 21. Where a Member State decides to do so it shall mark the driving licence with Union code 60.03, set out in Annex I, Part E. (ii) category B: motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 3500 kg and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver. motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer of category O1 referred to in Article 4(1), point (c)(i), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858. Without prejudice to the type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer of category O2 referred to in Article 4(1), point (c)(ii), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858, provided that the maximum authorised mass of this combination does not exceed 4250 kg. Where the mass of such a combination exceeds 3500 kg, Member States shall, in accordance with Annex V, require that this combination be driven only after: a training course has been completed; or a test of skills and behaviour has been passed. Member States may also require both such a training course and the passing of a test of skills and behaviour. On condition that such a training course has been completed or test has been passed, or both, in accordance with Annex V, and without prejudice to the type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, motor vehicles in this category may consist of: a motor caravan with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3500 kg but not exceeding 4250 kg, including in combination with a trailer, if the maximum authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 5000 kg; subject to an authorisation by a Member State in accordance with the conditions provided for in Article 9(4), point (d), a power-driven emergency vehicle used for the purpose of maintaining public safety and order, including by providing immediate assistance during natural or man-made emergencies, such as police vehicles, ambulances, civil protection and rescue vehicles, or fire brigade vehicles, with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3500 kg but not exceeding, including when combined with a trailer, 5000 kg; or an alternatively-fuelled motor vehicle falling under the equivalence referred to in Article 9(2), point (j), in combination with a trailer, not already covered by the second indent, if the maximum authorised mass of this combination exceeds 4250 kg but does not exceed 5000 kg. Member States shall indicate on the driving licence, by means of the relevant Union code, set out in Annex I, Part E, the entitlement to drive such a combination, motor caravan or emergency vehicle. (iii) category BE: without prejudice to the type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles consisting of a tractor vehicle in category B and a trailer or semi-trailer of mass categories O1 or O2 as laid down in Article 4(1), point (c), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858; (iv) category C1: motor vehicles other than those in categories D1 or D, the maximum authorised mass of which exceeds 3500 kg, but does not exceed 7500 kg, and which are designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver; motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer of category O1 referred to in Article 4(1), point (c)(i), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858; (v) category C1E: without prejudice to the type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category C1 and its trailer or semi-trailer has a maximum authorised mass which exceeds 750 kg, provided that the maximum authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 12000 kg; without prejudice to the type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category B and its trailer or semi-trailer has a maximum authorised mass which exceeds 3500 kg, provided that the maximum authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 12000 kg. (vi) category C: motor vehicles other than those in categories D1 or D, the maximum authorised mass of which exceeds 3500 kg and which are designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver; motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer of category O1 referred to in Article 4(1), point (c)(i), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858. (vii) category CE: without prejudice to the type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category C and its trailer or semi-trailer has a maximum authorised mass which exceeds 750 kg; (viii) category D1: motor vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of more than 8 but no more than 16 passengers in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding 8 meters; motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer of category O1 referred to in Article 4(1), point (c)(i), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858; (ix) category D1E: without prejudice to the type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category D1 and its trailer has a maximum authorised mass which exceeds 750 kg. (x) category D: motor vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of more than eight passengers in addition to the driver; motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer of category O1 referred to in Article 4(1), point (c)(i), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858; (xi) category DE: without prejudice to the type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category D and its trailer has a maximum authorised mass which exceeds 750 kg. 2. Member States may exclude from the application of this Article certain specific types of power-driven vehicles, including special vehicles for persons with disabilities, subject to the prior agreement of the Commission, which shall be based on an assessment of the impact on road safety of the proposed exclusion. Member States may exclude from the application of this Directive types of vehicles used by, or under the control of, the armed forces and civil defence bodies. They shall inform the Commission thereof.