Become a qualified heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus driver
Upgrade your licence to tow heavier trailers
The full Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) lets you drive vehicles in the category you took your test in. There are limits on what size trailer you can tow with each category of vehicle.
If you want to tow a larger trailer, you’ll need to upgrade your licence.
Vehicle categories have changed over time. You might know a category C vehicle licence as an ‘HGV 2’ licence, and towing heavier trailers as ‘HGV 1’. You can check how older vehicle categories relate to the current versions.
How to upgrade your licence
-
Find and complete training for the type of vehicle and trailer combination you want to use. For example, you need to take articulated lorry training if you want to drive an articulated lorry rather than a rigid lorry with a trailer.
-
Book and pass the Driver CPC part 3a (off-road exercises) and part 3b (on-road driving) tests.
When you take the part 3a and part 3b tests, you’ll need to use a vehicle that meets either the:
You do not need to apply for a new provisional licence or take the Driver CPC part 1 test again before you take the part 3a and part 3b tests.
You can only upgrade your licence this way if it’s in the same category - for example, going from a C to a C+E. If you want to add a different category to your licence, you need to go through the usual qualification process for that category.