Closed petition: Legislate to upgrade all B class license holders to include the C1 category

Closed on 18 January 2026

We urge the Government to pass a law where in the same way people with a B class (car/van 3.5 tonne) driver’s license are automatically entitled to a B+E category (car/van and trailer) license, people with a B class license can be automatically entitled to a C1 (7.5 tonne) license.

People who passed their driving test in a car before 1997 automatically have C1 category on their driver’s license under “grandfather rights”. Those who wish to upgrade their license to include the C1 category may pay up to £1500 for tests and training. This includes ambulance workers who require C1 licenses as part of their job, or people who wish to drive motorhomes or removal vans. With long waiting test times, we think this could reduce pressures on test centres.