The 7.5 tonne lorry is the biggest vehicle in the Abacus Self Drive fleet, and for a large house move or a heavy commercial load it can save a great deal of time. It is also the one vehicle we hire that needs more than a standard car licence. Before you book one, it is worth spending a minute checking that your licence covers it.
The licence you need: category C1
Driving licence categories are set by weight. A standard car licence, category B, lets you drive vehicles of up to 3,500kg when fully loaded. Every van we hire is within that limit, including the Luton with tail lift.
A 7.5 tonne lorry is heavier, so it needs category C1. This covers vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg. If you hold full category C, which is the licence for heavier lorries, that covers C1 vehicles too.
Do you already have it?
For many drivers, the answer depends on when they passed their car test.
- If you passed before 1 January 1997, your licence will normally include C1. It was given automatically with a car licence at that time.
- If you passed on or after 1 January 1997, you will not have C1 unless you have taken and passed a separate C1 test.
This is a helpful guide, but please do not rely on it alone. Licences are renewed, exchanged and updated over the years, and the only way to be certain is to look at what yours says today.
How to check your licence
There are two easy ways.
Look at the back of your photocard. You will see a table listing each licence category. Find the row marked C1. If that row has dates printed on it, you hold the category. The first date is when it started and the second is when it ends.
Check online. The government’s view your driving licence service shows which vehicles you are entitled to drive. You will need your driving licence number, your National Insurance number and the postcode on your licence. This is the same service that produces the DVLA check code we ask for before every hire, so it makes sense to check your categories and create your code in one visit. Our DVLA check code guide explains each step.
A note for drivers over 70
If your C1 entitlement came with your car test, it normally ends when your licence is renewed at the age of 70, unless you applied to keep it and provided a medical report. If you are over 70, please check the end date on the C1 row of your licence and not only whether the category is listed.
Our requirements for lorry hire
In addition to the right licence category, anyone driving our 7.5 tonne lorry must:
- be aged 25 or over
- have held a full UK driving licence for at least two years
- be named on the hire agreement
When you collect, please bring your photocard licence and your DVLA check code, as you would for any hire. Please also note that the Windscreen and Puncture Waiver is not available on the 7.5 tonne lorry. Unlimited mileage, comprehensive insurance and breakdown cover are included in the price, as they are with all of our vehicles.
Private use and business use
If you are hiring the lorry to move your own belongings, holding the right licence category is all that is required of you as a driver.
If you will be driving it for work, additional rules can apply to vehicles over 3,500kg. These include the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence, usually called the Driver CPC, and rules on driving hours. Whether they apply depends on what you are carrying and why. The guidance on gov.uk explains this, and we would encourage business customers to read it before booking.
If you do not have C1
Not having C1 does not mean you cannot do the job. It means choosing a different vehicle, and there are some good ones.
Luton with tail lift
The Luton is the largest vehicle you can drive on a standard car licence, and it is the one most of our customers choose for a house move. Its box body has square sides and a flat floor, which makes stacking simple, and the tail lift raises heavy furniture and appliances to floor height for you.
A 7.5 tonne lorry carries considerably more than a Luton, so a very large move may need two trips. With unlimited mileage included, many customers find that is a sensible trade for not needing a different licence.
Extra long wheelbase van
The extra long wheelbase is the largest panel van we offer. It suits moves with a lot of boxes and long items but fewer heavy pieces.
A named driver with C1
If a family member or friend holds C1 and meets our age and licence requirements, they can drive the lorry for you. They must be named on the hire agreement and will need to provide their own licence and DVLA check code.
Our guide to choosing the right size van compares every vehicle in the fleet and may help you decide.
Check first, then book
To recap: look for the C1 row on the back of your photocard, check the dates, and confirm it online if you are unsure. If everything is in order, you can view sizes and prices on our 7.5 tonne lorry page and book online.
If you have looked at your licence and still are not certain, please call us at either depot before you book. We are happy to talk it through. You will find our phone numbers on the contact page.