Group 2 Licence
Introduction
Group 2 Licenses come under the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999.
'Group 2 licence' means a licence in so far as it authorises its holder to drive classes of motor vehicle included in categories:
- C1, C1+E, C, C+E, D1, D1+E, D, D+E
The following is an overview of the Group 2 licence.
Group 2 Licences
Entitlements of group 2 licence holders, qualified before 1 June 1990
Holders of the old hgv class 1 licence may continue to drive all types of goods vehicles, including large rigid and drawbar combinations. An hgv 1 licence holder's updated licence will show categories C and C plus E with no restrictions.
Hgv class 2 and 3 licences were merged on 1 June 1990 when the community model unified licence was introduced. As a result holders of both
licences gained identical entitlements and the replacement issued will show entitlements in categories C and C plus E (category restriction
102).
This means the holder may drive drawbar combinations only and not articulated tractor/trailer combinations.
Entitlements of group 2 licence holders, issued with community model licences
Holders of old hgv licences who have received a replacement licence since June 1990 and drivers who have passed an lgv test since April 1991 will have licences showing one or more of the following category entitlements:
- Category C (any size of rigid lorry plus such a vehicle towing a trailer with a mam of up to 750kg).
- Category C plus E (rigid lorries towing any size of drawbar trailer and all articulated combinations). These licence holders will also have category C entitlement.
- Category C plus E (restriction 102 rigid lorries towing any size drawbar trailer). These licence holders will also have category C entitlement.
Other LGV Entitlements
Vehicles on tow - It is generally considered that someone sitting at the wheel of a vehicle being towed and exercising control over that vehicle by steering it etc, must hold a driving licence with the appropriate entitlement.
Solo tractor units - A tractor unit being used without a semi-trailer attached can be driven by a driver who holds a category C entitlement, a C plus E licence is only required when actually pulling a trailer.
Large passenger carrying vehicles - Previous concessions for hgv/lgv licence holders to drive pcvs have been significantly reduced. A person who has held a full category C entitlement for at least two years may drive a vehicle in category D but only if it is damaged or defective and is being driven to a place of repair, or road tested following repair or inspection and provided it is not carrying anyone unconnected with such work.
Driving licence code definitions - Current issue driving licences frequently show various codes alongside a driver's entitlement. The most common include the following:
- 101 - not for hire and reward
- 102 - drawbar trailers only
- 103 - subject to certificate of competence
- 105 - not more than 5.5 metres long
- 106 - restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission
- 107 - not more than 8,250kg gross train weight
- 108 - subject to minimum age requirements
- 111 - limited to 16 passenger seats
- 119 - weight limit does not apply
Medical - Eyesight The following tables show indicate the visual acuity required to drive Group 2 category vehicles.
| Item | Person holding Group 2 licence or obsolete vocational licence on | Standard of visual acuity applicable |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1 January 1983 and 1 April 1991 | Acuity (with the aid of corrective lenses if necessary) of at least 6/12 in the better eye or at least 6/36 in the worse eye or uncorrected acuity of at least 3/60 in at least one eye. |
| 2. | 1 March 1992, but not on 1 January 1983 | Acuity (with the aid of corrective lenses if necessary) of at least 6/9 in the better eye or at least 6/12 in the worse eye, or uncorrected acuity of at least 3/60 in at least one eye. |
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| Item | Person holding Group 2 licence on | Standard of visual acuity applicable |
| 1. | 31 December 1996, but not on 1 March 1992 | Acuity (with the aid of corrective lenses if necessary) of at least 6/9 in the better eye and at least 6/12 in the worse eye and, if corrective lenses are needed to meet that standard, uncorrected acuity of at least 3/60 in at least one eye. |
| 2. | On or after 1 January 1997 but not on 31/12/96 | Acuity (with the aid of corrective lenses if necessary) of at least 6/9 in the better eye and at least 6/12 in the worse eyeand, if corrective lenses are needed to meet that standard, uncorrected acuity of at least 3/60 in both eyes. |
Medical tests are required for Group 2 licence holders on application for or renewal of licence.
Defective Eyesight (Section 96 Road Traffic Act 1988 - level 3 fine - summary offence) - It is an offence for a person with uncorrected defective eyesight to drive a motor vehicle on a road.
Police Power (Section 96(3) Road Traffic Act 1988 - level 3 fine - summary offence) - A Police constable having reason to suspect that a person driving a motor vehicle may be guilty of an offence of driving with uncorrected defective eyesight may require him to submit to a test. It is an offence for a person to refuse to submit to such a test.
Requirements (Regulation 72 Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999) - In good daylight to read, with the aid of corrective lenses if worn, a motor vehicle number plate of the prescribed size:
| Character height | Character width | Distance ( metres) |
|---|---|---|
|
79 millimetres
79 millimetres |
57 millimetres
50 millimetres |
20.5 metres
20.0 metres |