A C+E licence, also known as a Class 1 HGV licence, allows drivers to operate the largest and most complex commercial vehicles. This includes articulated lorries and other combinations where the trailer exceeds 750kg. It is the next step up from a Cat C licence and is essential for long-distance and international haulage roles.
A C+E licence, also known as Class 1, lets you drive articulated lorries, the largest vehicle combinations on UK roads. Since a November 2021 rule change, you no longer need to hold a Cat C licence first, you can train for C+E directly from a car licence.
C+E training at a glance
- Minimum age: 18, with a full car (Category B) licence
- Route to C+E: straight from a car licence, or from Cat C1 or Cat C if you already hold one
- Medical: a D4 medical exam is required before your provisional entitlement is granted
- Vehicles covered: articulated lorries and rigid vehicles towing large trailers, with no upper weight limit
- Typical roles: long-haul and international freight, the highest-paid HGV driving category
You need to be at least 18 and hold a full car licence to begin. Since November 2021, the DVSA no longer requires you to hold a Cat C licence before training for C+E, so you can go straight from a car licence to an articulated lorry if that is the qualification you want. You will still need to pass a D4 medical exam and the LGV theory tests before your provisional entitlement is added.
Training covers both theory and the practical skills needed to handle an articulated vehicle safely. Click each section below for what it covers.
Before practical training, you complete a D4 medical exam and the LGV theory tests, covering hazard perception and multiple choice questions on topics such as road safety, vehicle maintenance and commercial driving regulations.
Most C+E courses run over a working week, with around 20 to 30 hours of practical tuition in a dedicated articulated vehicle. Training covers coupling and uncoupling, reversing, manoeuvring and safe on-road driving, building up to your practical test.
Alongside your C+E licence, most learners also need a Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) to drive commercially. We can help you plan the initial qualification and the 35 hours of periodic training you need every 5 years.
Costs vary depending on your prior experience, how much practical tuition you need, and whether you are self-funding or looking at finance or employer sponsorship. See our Class 1 training cost guide for a full breakdown, or contact us for a tailored quote.
C+E covers articulated lorries with no upper weight limit, the top tier of HGV licences. If you would rather start on a rigid vehicle first, a Cat C licence covers rigid lorries up to around 32 tonnes, and a C1 licence covers smaller rigid vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes. Since the 2021 rule change you can go straight to C+E without training on a rigid vehicle first, so the right route depends on the work you want, not a fixed order.
A C+E licence opens up long-haul and international freight driving, the highest-paid category of HGV work, along with abnormal loads, tanker work when combined with ADR, and general haulage roles that need the largest vehicles. See our HGV driver salary guide for current UK pay ranges, or read our practical guide to Class 1 driver training.
No. Since a November 2021 rule change, you can train for C+E directly from a full car licence, without holding Cat C first.
Yes. You need to pass a D4 medical exam before your provisional C+E entitlement is granted.
Most courses run over a working week, with around 20 to 30 hours of practical training, though this varies with prior driving experience.
Yes, most commercial drivers need a Driver CPC alongside their C+E licence. We can help you plan this alongside your training.
We provide part payment options or up to 12 months payment plan, with the option to pay sooner if you wish.
16/10/2026
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A C+E licence, also known as a Class 1 HGV licence, allows drivers to operate the largest and most complex commercial vehicles. This includes articulated lorries and other combinations where the trailer exceeds 750kg. It is the next step up from a Cat C licence and is essential for long-distance and international haulage roles.
A C1 licence allows drivers to operate vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg, such as ambulances, delivery trucks and removal vans. Training with HGV Learning covers both the theory and practical tests, ensuring you are ready to drive these vehicles safely and professionally.
A cat C licence allows an individual to drive medium-sized lorries, also known as rigid vehicles, with a maximum weight of around 32 tonnes.
This type of commercial driver’s licence is a requirement for operating vehicles that are commonly used for transporting goods and materials over medium distances.
Drivers must hold an ADR licence to transport hazardous goods such as fuel, chemicals, gases and flammable liquids. Carrying these loads without the correct licence is illegal. As a result, ADR training with HGV Learning is essential for anyone entering this area of work.
Our courses prepare drivers to pass the official exams and to manage dangerous substances safely in real-world situations. In addition, training gives learners the confidence to deal with emergencies and meet all regulatory standards.
Hiab training is essential for drivers who operate lorry-mounted cranes used to load and unload heavy goods. These cranes are common in construction, utilities and logistics, where safe handling of equipment and materials is a daily requirement. Our courses prepare drivers to use Hiab vehicles safely and to meet industry accreditation standards.
A telescopic handler, often called a telehandler, is one of the most widely used machines in construction, agriculture and logistics. It combines the features of a forklift and a crane, making it versatile for lifting, moving and placing loads. Our telescopic handler training prepares learners to operate this equipment safely and to gain recognised certification for employment in these industries.
