Below is the response from the D.V.L.A with regards to the questions raised by many towards whether they have the appropriate licence to ride a trike.

My own interpretation on the responses below are that if you have B category on your licence (ie car licence includes B), then this also means you have B1 although this may not be shown on your licence as it is a sub category B1 includes a tricycle with an unladen weight not exceeding 550 kilograms.

If you have B category then that means you have a car licence that also covers you for trikes over 550kg as B1 is for under 550kg and as such B includes it's sub cat B1

If you only have A category and no B cat, then you only have motorcycle licence and are only covered for trikes  with the weight of 550kg unladen.

Again this is my interpretation and it is your responsibility to check you are covered.

From: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: 13 May 2008 11:43
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Subject: RE: drivers license

Thank you for your email.

I can confirm that as the holder of full category B (motor car) entitlement you may ride trike type vehicles that falls within the definition of category B1.

The category B1 is defined as “ a sub-category of category B comprising motor vehicles having three or four wheels, an unladen weight not exceeding 550 kilograms”.

A vehicle that exceeds 550kgs unladen will fall within the definition of a motor car.

As can be seen, the vehicle may have three or four wheels and providing it does not exceed 550 kilograms unladen there no other constraints on engine size etc.  However, the vehicle must meet Construction and Use requirements, (i.e. in practical terms, meet MOT testing requirements).

Clearly, a braking system that can more than adequately meet the power to weight ratio of the machine is essential along with a chassis/frame that is structurally suitable and takes the afore said into consideration.  I would therefore suggest that you also liase closely with an approved MOT testing station.

The Vehicle Standards and Engineering Branch are responsible for safety standards for brakes, wheels, tyres, steering, suspension and power/weight ratios.  Their address is:-

Vehicle Standards and Engineering Branch 4
Great Minster House,
2/02
76 Marsham Street,
LONDON.
SW1P 4DR.

The term ‘unladen weight’ means, “the weight of a vehicle or trailer inclusive of the body and all parts (the heavier being taken where alternative bodies or parts are used) which are necessary to or ordinarily used with the vehicle or trailer when working on a road, but exclusive of the weight of water, fuel or accumulators used for the purpose of the supply of power for the propulsion of the vehicle or, as the case may be, of any vehicle by which the trailer is drawn, and of loose tools and loose equipment”.

I hope this clarifies the position.

Regards

Heulwen Jones
www.direct.gov.uk/motoring

-----Original Message-----
From: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: 13/05/2008 11:50:43
To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: drivers license

Hi and thanks for your swift response, that clears most things up.
One slight thing I didn't make clear in my email is where does a person who only holds a motorcycle licence stand with regards to riding/driving a tricycle?
Also can you confirm that as long as B or B1 is on someones licence, then this means that there is no constraints on when your licence was obtained.
Thanks in advance for your response.
Bob
Ps your a star, at last someone who can clear these issues up.
 

Three wheeled vehicles can fall within category B or B1.  If the vehicle has three or four wheels and weights more than 550kgs unladen it will fall within category B.  Vehicles, which weigh less than 550kgs unladen, will fall within category B1.

The minimum age to drive this class of vehicle is 17.

I should point out that full licences for motor cars (category B) and motorcycles (category A) where the test was passed prior to 1/02/01, also convey full entitlement to drive vehicles of category B1. Drivers who obtained their full category B entitlement before 1 January 1997 will not have category B1 shown on their driving licence.

However, category B1 is shown if the driver has passed a test for a motor tricycle, or holds full category A (prior to 1/02/01) entitlement only, or passed a category B (motorcar) test after 1 January 1997.

Please note that as from 1st February 2001 category B1 entitlement is no longer given when passing a category A test.

Provisional licence holders are of course subject to the provisional licence conditions and these are explained on the back of the driving licence.

There is an exemption from the need to be supervised by a qualified driver, when driving a vehicle included in category B1 which is constructed to carry only one person and not adapted to carry more than one person.


Regards

Mrs Pat White.

www.direct.gov.uk/motoring