Category C vs C+E licence: what is the difference?
Category C vs CE licence: C allows a trailer up to 750 kg, CE a trailer over 750 kg, and both require age 21 or 18 with a full Driver CPC.
Logifie Team
Logistics Technology Experts
Category C covers trucks above 3,500 kg with a trailer of up to 750 kg. Category C+E adds trailers and semi-trailers over 750 kg behind a category C tractor. Both have a minimum age of 21 in the EU, or 18 with a full Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence).
What is the difference between Category C and C+E?
The trailer is the only dividing line. C covers a motor vehicle above 3,500 kg with no more than eight passengers besides the driver, plus a trailer of up to 750 kg. C+E covers a category C tractor with a trailer or semi-trailer heavier than 750 kg, which in practice means the articulated lorry. The licence text sets no upper trailer mass, so combination weight limits come from the vehicle and national law. These definitions carry over unchanged into Directive (EU) 2025/2205 .
| Category | Vehicle and trailer limit | Minimum age | Typical job |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 (C1E) | 3,500 to 7,500 kg, trailer up to 750 kg (C1E: trailer over 750 kg, combination up to 12,000 kg) | 18 | Urban distribution, 7.5 t box trucks |
| C | Over 3,500 kg, trailer up to 750 kg | 21, or 18 with full Driver CPC | Rigid trucks, regional and construction haulage |
| C+E | C tractor plus trailer or semi-trailer over 750 kg | 21, or 18 with full Driver CPC | Articulated lorries, international long-haul |
For a 7.5 t box truck, see which licence a 7.5 tonne truck needs .
Who can hold C and C+E, and at what age?
The baseline age is 21 for both categories, and it drops to 18 for drivers with the full initial Driver CPC under Article 6(1) of Directive (EU) 2022/2561 . The accelerated 140-hour CPC leaves the age at 21. The 18-with-CPC rule is not new: it has applied since Directive (EU) 2018/645 amended the licence directive. Our guide to the minimum age to drive a truck in Europe covers country detail, and our Category C licence cost guide covers course prices.
If you are planning your training order, the EU text requires only category B first. Holding C before C+E is a national rule. Germany states it in section 9(2) of the Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung : C+E may be issued only if the applicant holds C or has met its conditions, at the earliest together with C.
Does the 2025 EU licence directive change anything?
It does not change the C and C+E definitions or ages. Directive (EU) 2025/2205 entered into force on 2025-11-25, Member States must transpose it by 2028-11-26, and it applies from 2029-11-26, when Directive 2006/126/EC is repealed. As of 2026-10-31, nothing in this comparison has changed.
What is new is optional accompanied driving at 17, from 2028-11-26, for C1, C1E, and C on a Member State's own territory. C+E is not included.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need Category C before you can get C+E?
The EU text requires category B, not C. Germany requires C or its conditions first, and allows both to be issued together. Other countries set their own order, so confirm it with your licensing authority.
Can an 18-year-old drive a C+E articulated lorry?
Yes, with the full Driver CPC under Article 6(1) of Directive (EU) 2022/2561. With the accelerated CPC the minimum age stays at 21.
Does C+E also let you drive a Category C truck?
Yes. Under Article 9(2) of Directive (EU) 2025/2205, a C+E licence is also valid for C and C1, and for C1E.
Will 17-year-olds be able to drive trucks under the new directive?
Only where a Member State chooses to allow it, from 2028-11-26. The scheme covers accompanied driving of C1, C1E, and C, not C+E.
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