The 7.5 tonne lorry is the largest vehicle we hire at Laser Van Rentals, and it is the only one in the fleet that a standard car licence does not automatically cover. Whether you can drive it comes down to one entry on your licence: category C1.
The short answer
- Passed your car test before 1 January 1997? You will normally have category C1 already, and can drive the lorry.
- Passed on or after 1 January 1997? You will not have C1 unless you have taken a separate C1 test.
Either way, check your own licence before you book. It takes a minute and saves a wasted trip.
What category C1 means
Driving licence categories are based on the weight a vehicle is allowed to weigh when fully loaded.
- Category B, the standard car licence, covers vehicles up to 3,500kg. That includes every van we hire, up to and including the Luton with tail lift.
- Category C1 covers vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg. Our 7.5 tonne lorry falls in this band.
- Category C covers heavier lorries. If you hold full category C, you can drive a C1 vehicle too.
Until the end of 1996, passing a car test gave you C1 as well. Since then it has been a separate test, which is why the date you passed matters.
How to check your licence
On your photocard. Turn the card over. There is a table on the back with a row for each category. Find the row marked C1. If there are dates on that row, you hold the category, and the second date is when it runs out.
Online. The government’s view your driving licence service lists the vehicles you can drive. It is the same service you use to create the DVLA check code we ask for on every hire, so you can do both at once. Our DVLA check code guide explains how.
Two things that catch people out
Your age. C1 entitlement gained through a car test normally ends when your licence is renewed at 70, unless you renewed it with a medical report. If you are over 70, look at the dates on the C1 row, not just whether the row is there.
An old paper licence. If you still have a paper licence, the categories are listed on it, but the online check is the quickest way to be sure what you currently hold.
Our own rules for the lorry
As well as holding C1, drivers of the 7.5 tonne lorry must:
- be 25 or over
- have held a full UK licence for at least two years
- be named on the hire agreement
The Windscreen and Puncture Waiver is not available on the lorry. Everything else works as it does for a van: unlimited mileage, comprehensive insurance and breakdown cover are included in the price.
If you are driving for work
Moving your own belongings in a 7.5 tonne lorry needs nothing beyond the right licence category. If you will be driving it as part of your job, further rules can apply to vehicles over 3,500kg, such as the Driver CPC qualification and limits on driving hours. The guidance on gov.uk sets out who is covered, and it is worth reading before you book.
What to hire if you do not have C1
You still have good options on a car licence.
A Luton with tail lift. This is the largest vehicle you can drive on a standard licence, and it is what most people use for a house move. The box body is easy to stack and the tail lift takes the weight of heavy items. For a big move, two trips in a Luton often does the job of one in a lorry, and mileage is unlimited.
An extra long wheelbase van. The largest panel van we offer, and a good choice when you have long items or a lot of boxes but less heavy furniture.
A second driver. If someone helping you does hold C1 and meets the age and licence rules, they can be the driver. They need to be named on the hire agreement, with their own licence and check code.
Our guide to which van size you need compares the whole fleet.
Before you book
Check the C1 row on your licence, check the dates, and bring the photocard and a DVLA check code when you collect. If you are not sure what your licence shows, call us and we will go through it with you. Our numbers are on the contact page.
When you are ready, you can see sizes and prices on the 7.5 tonne lorry page.