A Category C licence, often referred to as a Cat C licence or Class 2 HGV licence, allows drivers to operate large goods vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes with a trailer up to 750kg. It is one of the most common professional driving licences in the UK and is widely used across the logistics, transport and distribution industries.
If you are planning to become a professional lorry driver, Category C is often the first step into the HGV industry. Many drivers begin their careers with this licence before progressing to larger articulated vehicles.
This guide explains what a Category C licence is, what vehicles you can drive with it, and how to begin HGV driver training.
What Vehicles Can You Drive With a Category C Licence?
A Category C licence allows drivers to operate large rigid vehicles that exceed the standard car and van weight limits. These vehicles typically include:
- Rigid HGV lorries
- Large delivery trucks
- Supermarket distribution vehicles
- Construction and building material transport vehicles
- Waste collection trucks
- Municipal service vehicles
These vehicles are commonly used across industries such as logistics, retail distribution, construction and waste management.
For more details about the licence itself, visit our Class 2 Category C training page.
What Is the Difference Between Category C and Category C+E?
The main difference between Category C and Category C+E licences is the type of vehicle combination you can drive.
A Category C licence allows you to drive rigid vehicles with a trailer up to 750kg.
A Category C+E licence allows you to drive articulated lorries and vehicles with larger trailers.
Many drivers begin with Category C before progressing to Category C+E (Class 1) once they gain experience.
What Jobs Can You Do With a Category C Licence?
Holding a Category C licence opens up a wide range of driving careers across the UK. Some of the most common roles include:
- Supermarket delivery driver
- Construction transport driver
- Waste collection driver
- Furniture delivery driver
- Regional logistics driver
- Distribution centre driver
Because rigid vehicles are widely used across many sectors, Category C drivers are consistently in demand.
You can learn more about driver demand in our article on HGV driver demand in the UK.
How to Get a Category C Licence
Getting a Category C licence usually involves several steps. The process includes:
- Applying for provisional HGV entitlement
- Completing a driver medical
- Passing the LGV theory test
- Completing practical HGV training
- Passing the DVSA practical driving test
If you plan to drive professionally, you will also need to complete Driver CPC training.
How Long Does Category C Training Take?
The length of Category C training varies depending on experience and course structure. Some drivers complete training quickly through intensive programmes, while others take longer depending on availability and preparation.
Our guide on how to become an HGV driver explains the full process in more detail.
Where Can You Take Category C Training?
HGV training is available across the UK through approved training providers. Choosing a local training centre can help make the process smoother.
You can explore training locations such as:
- HGV driver training Manchester
- HGV driver training Liverpool
- HGV driver training Warrington
- HGV driver training Birmingham
- HGV driver training Leeds
You can also browse our full list of HGV and PCV training locations.
Is Category C the Same as Class 2?
Yes. In the UK transport industry, Category C is commonly referred to as Class 2 HGV. Both terms describe the same licence category that allows drivers to operate rigid lorries.
Many drivers begin their careers with Class 2 vehicles before upgrading to articulated vehicles with a Class 1 licence.
You can read more about this progression in our guide comparing Class 1 vs Class 2 HGV licences.
Final Thoughts
A Category C licence is one of the most valuable qualifications for anyone looking to enter the UK transport and logistics industry. It allows drivers to operate large rigid lorries and opens the door to a wide range of driving careers.
If you are considering becoming a professional driver, the first step is choosing the right training provider and starting your HGV training.