Full list of categories and subcategories of driver's licenses in 2021 with explanation

decoding

01.05.2021

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A driver's license allows a motorist to drive the type of transport whose category is indicated on the license. After all, cars differ in engine size, load capacity, availability of passenger seats, complexity and degree of danger of driving. To drive a certain type of vehicle, you must obtain a license with the appropriate marking. In this article we will look at all categories of driver's licenses with decoding, taking into account all the innovations.

The classification changes periodically; in 2021, the list approved by the Law of the Russian Federation “On Road Safety” is in force; it consists of 16 subtypes. For driving a vehicle for which a driver’s category is not issued, the violator is subject to a fine of 5-15 thousand rubles.

Before receiving a driver's license, you should decide which vehicle you want to drive. The category of rights for which you will be trained will depend on this. The lightest are motorcycles and cars. Licenses for these types of transport can be obtained at all driving schools. Those who want to become a professional driver will have to look for automotive courses that train students according to an extended program.

Appearance of a driver's license

Driver's licenses in Russia are produced in the form of a plastic card with personal information about the driver. Car rights are protected by holographic signs. The photograph is not pasted in; the image of the face and signature are applied during the production of the document.

The front part of the license shows a photograph and personal information:

• last name, first name – in Russian and Latin letters;
• year of birth, country of origin;
• date of issue and validity period of the rights;
• name of the State Traffic Inspectorate unit that issued the certificate;
• document serial number;
• City of residence;
• allowed categories;
• personal signature.

The mark on the permitted vehicle category is indicated directly on the driver's license, on the reverse side. Special notes are printed at the bottom: restrictions due to medical contraindications, opening date and expiration date. Driving licenses are issued for ten years. An expired document must be replaced.

Opposite the open category, in addition to the date of receipt and validity period of the holder of license, special marks are indicated:

• GCL – the driver must wear glasses or contact lenses while driving the vehicle. The note is made on the basis of the ophthalmologist's conclusion from the medical certificate. In this case, the photograph must show the driver wearing glasses or contact lenses.
• ML – medical restrictions.
• AS - indicated in the column with category B, with closed category A. It means that the owner can drive the vehicle only with a car steering wheel and with a seat.
• MS is the opposite of the abbreviation AS. Informs that the driver is allowed to drive a motorcycle without the right to drive a car. It is permitted to drive tricycles and quadricycles equipped with motorcycle handlebars.
• AT – automatic transmission. You are only allowed to drive cars with an automatic transmission. The driver is prohibited from driving a manual transmission.
• MS – driving a car equipped with manual controls is permitted. The mark is given to disabled drivers based on medical prescriptions.
• APS – control only vehicles equipped with an automatic parking system.
• HA/CF – driving with a hearing aid.

The series and document number are duplicated on both sides of the plastic. The notes indicate background information - the driver’s experience, the year of initial receipt of the license.

Vehicle categories

The driver's license category indicates the type of transport that the motorist is allowed to drive:

• A - allows you to drive ordinary motorcycles, with a sidecar, 3-wheeled and 4-wheeled vehicles, with a curb weight of no more than 400 kg.
• A1 – applies to lightweight motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to 125 cm3, power up to 11 kW (opens by default if category A is present).
• B – for passenger cars weighing up to 3.5 tons, intended to transport no more than 8 people except the driver. This also includes jeeps, SUVs, and small pickups.
• BE – passenger cars with a large towbar (from 750 kg to 3.5 tons).
• B1 – tricycles and quadricycles;
• C – permit for freight transport (from 3.5 tons). The category will be needed to control “heavyweights” such as the Hummer and GAZ Tiger.
• CE – trucks with a trailer. The CE category, obtained before the introduction of subcategories, allows you to drive trucks with trailers.
• C1 – freight transport with a carrying capacity of 3.5-7.5 tons.
• C1E - medium-sized trucks with a towbar, weighing more than 750 kg. The total weight of the car and trailer must be up to 12 tons.
• D – cars adapted to transport more than 8 people, minibuses, minibuses and buses. This category does not include double accordion buses.
• DE – buses with a trailer, weighing more than 750 kg, coupled buses.
• D1 – small buses with a passenger capacity of 8 to 16 people.
• D1E – minibuses with a trailer, with a maximum weight of no more than 12 tons. People cannot be transported in a trailer.
• M – mopeds and light quadricycles. Opens together with one of the other categories.
• Tm – trams.
• Tb – necessary for driving trolleybuses. Previously, driving a trolleybus or tram required special marks on a driver's license.

NOTE. Category E ceased to exist separately. To obtain a permit to drive a trailer, you need to open a specific category.

The above classification contains subcategories with a digital prefix. They are dedicated to the use of lightweight versions of vehicles - with less carrying capacity and engine power. Subcategories open by default as children when opening main categories.

Car categories according to traffic regulations 2021

When we pick up a driver’s license, we know that the category for which training has been completed will be open, but we are surprised to find at least one additional subcategory, and we don’t always know what it means.

To avoid any doubt, below is a breakdown of the categories and subcategories of vehicles on a driver’s license.

This description of the categories in a driver’s license in Russia is relevant today.

Do not forget that car licenses are the same for all categories, that is, when opening a new category, you will have one license with the marks for driving an authorized vehicle.

Important!

To make it easier to remember the designation of transport categories in the VU, you need to highlight 5 main categories: A - motorcycles, B - cars, C - trucks, D - buses, M - mopeds. A1, B1, C1, D1 are subcategories, and BE, CE, DE, C1E, D1E are trailer control.

Not many road users know that to drive a vehicle you need to open the appropriate driving category. For example, if you have “B” open, then you cannot drive a truck or bus, but citizens sometimes neglect this rule. Such a violation is subject to significant fines. The classification of vehicles into categories was not invented in vain, because driving a truck is more difficult than driving a passenger car. Without knowing the dimensions and control features, you can provoke an accident.

Age restrictions for obtaining rights

Russian legislation sets age restrictions for opening different categories of driver's licenses. Subcategories A1, M are allowed at 16 years of age. At the age of 18, you can obtain a license of categories A, B, B1, C and C1, for driving light cars and trucks. BE, C1E, CE are allowed to open from 19 years of age. From the age of 21 you can obtain a license for a minibus, bus, trolleybus and tram.

You can drive vehicles with trailers only a year after the opening of the main category. That is, the driver must have at least one year of driving experience in order to be able to obtain the right to drive a vehicle with a trailer.

Teenagers aged 17 years can undergo training in a driving school for categories B and C. But after passing the exams, they will not be able to drive a car on their own; licenses are issued only from the age of 18.

New categories of driver's licenses from November 5, 2013

On November 5, 2013, changes to the Law “On Road Safety” came into force, which not only changed the list of driver’s license categories, but also added completely new subcategories. We will talk about them today.

Opening additional categories

If a driver wants to open new categories in his license, he will have to undergo training at a driving school and pass qualifying exams in theory and practice. There are different exams for each. You cannot prepare for the exams on your own; to be admitted to the exam, you need a certificate from the driving school of completion of the course.

To open categories A, A1, M and B1, you must pass a theoretical exam and pass driving on a race track:

• perform a figure eight, a snake, demonstrate high-speed movement;
• hand over parking and exit from the parking space;
• correctly stop vehicles to pick up or unload passengers.

To open category B, you must additionally complete the “Controlled intersection” exercise on an automated racing track; the instructor will ask you to drive along an overpass, drive downhill, reverse into a conditional garage, park, make 90-degree turns, and turn the car around in a limited area.

To open C, D and subcategories C1, D1, in addition to theory, you need to demonstrate skills in driving a cargo vehicle on the site and in real urban conditions: perform standard exercises on training vehicles of the requested category, coupling and uncoupling, parking at the platform for unloading.

If you studied at a driving school in a car with an automatic transmission, but there is a need to drive a car with a manual transmission, you will have to retake the driving test at the race track. Only after a successful retake will you receive a license without an AT mark.

Remember

1. Since November 2013, additional categories have been in force in the new driver’s license: “M”, “A1”, “C1”, “D1”, “C1E” and “D1E”.
2. You can open a new category from 16-21 years old; for some categories, you must first obtain driving experience.
3. The license contains information about the driver, the open category and the traffic police department in which he received the document.
4. To get a license, study the theory and practice of driving in a driving school and demonstrate your knowledge in the traffic police exam.
5. If the category of license does not correspond to the vehicle the driver is driving, he will receive a fine of up to 15,000 rubles.

All articles by the author: Evgeniy Lesnov

Rules for obtaining rights with new categories for non-resident citizens

Those who do not live at the registration address may well receive a new category in another city. Nonresident residents must submit an expanded package of documents to the traffic police department:

• passport of a Russian citizen;
• medical certificate;
• document confirming local registration;
• a certificate from the traffic police at the place of registration, confirming the absence of violations and deprivation of a driver’s license.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW. Russian driver's licenses are valid in the Russian Federation and countries that have signed the Vienna Convention. For road trips to other countries, you will need an international driving license.

Procedure for replacing rights

Drivers who renew their license due to its expiration date do not need to take the exam. Driving licenses are issued for 10 years. The motorist must independently monitor the validity of the document and reissue the license in a timely manner. The Code of Administrative Offenses provides for liability for driving with an expired license in the form of a fine.

To replace an expired license, you should contact the State Traffic Inspectorate, MFC, or fill out an application through the State Services portal. For the exchange of documents, you must pay a state fee of 2000 rubles. If you use the services of the State Services website, you can get a 30% discount on the fee amount.

To replace a document, the driver must present:

• application in the prescribed form 003-В/у;
• old ID;
• passport;
• certificate of completion of a medical examination;
• receipt of payment of state duty.

There is no need to submit a photograph; you will be photographed directly at the traffic police department or MFC. A medical certificate will not be required for those who change their license for a reason not related to the expiration of the license: due to wear and tear, loss of a document, change of surname, other personal data, change in medical indications.

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