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United Kingdom · Theory test

HGV class 2 theory test: class 1, class 2 and licence categories

GOV.UK doesn’t list a separate HGV class 2 theory test. Class 2 is the old name for category C and class 1 the old name for towing heavier trailers, which licences show as category CE. Part 1 of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is the same test at the same fee for both, for any heavy goods vehicle (HGV). You can start straight on category CE. What changes between categories is the vehicle you bring to the driving test.

  • 1Lorry theory test for every class
  • 18Standard age for category C1
  • 7,500kgTop weight for a category C1 lorry
Where to study

Updated November 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

Is the HGV class 2 theory test a different test?

No. GOV.UK gives one part 1 theory test for lorries. The classes are old names, and this is how they match the categories on a licence:

CategoryYou can driveOld name
C13,500 to 7,500kg, trailer up to 750kgNot listed
C1EC1 with a trailer over 750kg, 12,000kg in allNot listed
COver 3,500kg, trailer up to 750kgClass 2 (HGV 2 or 3)
CEC with a trailer over 750kgClass 1 (HGV 1)
D1Up to 16 seats, 8 metres long, trailer up to 750kgNot listed
D1ED1 with a trailer over 750kg, 12,000kg in allNot listed
DAny bus with over 8 seats, trailer up to 750kgPSV 3
DED with a trailer over 750kgPSV 1 or 2

Weights are maximum authorised mass, the highest weight allowed when fully loaded. GOV.UK says you might know category C as an ‘HGV 2’ licence and towing heavier trailers as ‘HGV 1’. PSV stands for public service vehicle. Seats means passenger seats.

Driving licence categories ↗Old and new categories ↗

Which test should you take first?

Your choice on the D2 form, the application for a provisional lorry or bus licence, decides your provisional entitlement. Pick C or C1+E and you get C1, C1+E, C and C+E together. You don’t have to pass a rigid lorry test first, because the 15 November 2021 changes removed that stage.

The HGV driving test →The D2 form and D4 medical report →Fees for each test →The Driver CPC tests →

Upgrading a licence you already hold

  • C to CE, or D to DE: complete the training, then pass part 3a and part 3b. No new provisional licence and no new part 1.
  • C1 to C: no theory test, unless your C1 came from passing a car driving test.
  • D1 to D: no theory test.
  • Lorry to bus, or bus to lorry: this is a different category, so you go through the usual process.

An upgrade test can’t be booked online. You call DVSA, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

Upgrade rules on GOV.UK ↗

If you’re training for a bus or coach

Bus and coach drivers follow the same route as lorry drivers: a provisional licence, then part 1, part 2, part 3a, part 3b and part 4, at the same fees and pass marks. What changes is your category, D or D1, the vehicle you bring, and the DVSA guide you study. The minimum age for category D is also higher, as the table below shows.

Rules for test buses and coaches ↗Case study mock for buses ↗

Minimum ages for a lorry or bus

GOV.UK’s short answer is that you need to be over 18, with some exceptions. The law in England, Scotland and Wales has the detail, and the initial Driver CPC qualification brings several ages down:

CategoryStandard ageInitial CPC
C11818
C1E, up to 12 tonnes1818
C and CE2118
D1 and D1E2118
D and DE, routes under 50km2418
D and DE, no passengers2418
D and DE, other passenger work2420

The route row means a regular service over a route of no more than 50 kilometres. The law also gives exceptions for the fire service, road tests for repairs and some other uses.

Regulation 9 on legislation.gov.uk ↗
Sources: GOV.UK · legislation.gov.uk and 5 more. Checked November 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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