How to Buy a Category A Driving Licence

While the majority of people are familiar with the standard driving licence that allows you to drive a car There are many different types of licences to choose from.

For instance, in New York, a class E licence is required to operate taxis and limousines for hire. Additionally a class A CDL is necessary to operate vehicles that weigh more than 26,000 pounds unhitched, such as 18-wheelers and livestock carriers.

What you need to know

Although most people purchase cars that require a driver's license there are occasions when you may want to buy an automobile without a license. For funny post , you may purchase the car as a present to a child who isn't yet qualified to get their own driver's license. You could also buy a car for a person with disabilities who needs transportation, but isn't able to obtain an loan. You may even be purchasing an antique car that doesn't require the driver's license in order to operate.

In addition to revealing the type of vehicle you are allowed to drive, your driving license category and codes also reveal a wealth of other details about you. It's essential to be aware of them to keep track of the vehicles you are allowed to drive and not.

In the United States, there are several different types of licenses that you are able to hold. Drivers who want to buy a car or truck need an driver's license of class D or C. Class B or CDL licenses are required for drivers who intend to operate an automobile, a commercial vehicle or any other big vehicle.

There are also special classes of licenses that are geared towards those who need to transport passengers in exchange for compensation. In New York, for example the class E driver's license permits drivers to operate taxis and livery cars. This type of license requires that the driver pass written examinations, road and vision tests to be able to obtain the license.

There are also enhanced licenses that are available for citizens of the United States who wish to travel to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean and do not have to present their passports at checkpoints or border crossings. These licenses are generally only granted to US citizens who have valid driver's licenses and an identity document such as a birth certificate, passport or national ID card.

Other types of licenses are class B and class E. Class B is designed for drivers who want to operate recreational vehicles, buses and trailers. In most states, this class of license can be obtained by taking a written and practical test. It can also be obtained by successfully passing a road test and completing a course. Alternatively, you can obtain a class B licence by obtaining an active class A or class D licence for a minimum of three years.

What can you drive

The standard UK driving license includes categories that define the kinds of vehicles that you can drive. It also contains important details about you.

A category A license allows you to drive mopeds up to 125cc. This includes motor tricycles up to 15kW. If they pass the physical handicap test, drivers may also be granted a provisional A1 or A motor-tricycle entitlement.

Other categories on the standard UK driving licence include category C which permits you to drive any vehicle up to 750kg maximum authorized mass (MAM). The category D licence has trailer entitlements for vehicles with eight passenger seats that have a combined weight greater than 750kg. It is also possible to obtain a category D+E driver's license that grants trailer entitlement for any vehicle with more than eight passenger seats and a combined weight of more than 750kg.


You can pick from a range of additional categories on your driving license that allow you drive in various conditions of weather or for commercial use. These are usually classed as a commercial driver's licence. For example in New York, a chauffeur needs an CDL with classes A and B in order to drive limousines for commercial purposes. If you are driving a limousine for private use you may be able to get an official chauffeur license.

The type of licence you need to operate certain large or heavy vehicles depends on the type of work you're doing. To drive a large RV, motorhome or trailer, you'll need a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL). A class A CDL permits the driver to operate any vehicle with a weight of more than 26,000 pounds, unhitched and towing cargo of up to 10,000 pounds.

You can also get a class C CDL that allows you to operate small trucks, dump trucks or delivery vans. The license can be further enhanced by obtaining the appropriate endorsements. Some people who drive dangerous or heavy vehicles may also be required to hold an A or B class CDL.

What you can't Drive

New York drivers must pass both the driving and written test in order to get their license. This can be challenging but it's necessary for legal compliance and security. As a professional driver, I've assisted many drivers from Buffalo to Montauk get their licenses. Understanding the distinctions between license classes can help you ensure that you get the right license to fulfill your goals.

If you're planning to move beyond a standard vehicle, it could be time to upgrade to a commercial or specialized classification. This will require more testing but can open an entirely new world of professional driving.

For example, with an A Class CDL is a license to operate vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 26001 pounds or more and include a tow vehicle. This includes livestock carriers, 18-wheelers and big-rigs. You can also add endorsements to your CDL that permit you to drive additional kinds of vehicles, such as passenger vans, or smaller HAZMAT trucks. The process of adding an endorsement usually involves taking a separate knowledge test, or an aptitude test. These tests can be intimidating but I have seen a lot of New Yorkers pass.

Where to purchase

The procedure and requirements for getting different types of driver's licenses differ by location. In Pennsylvania the standard non-commercial class C license is valid for a vehicle or truck. Class D is for larger vehicles, including buses. Class B is for drivers of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (RV, motorhome) or those towing another trailer. There are endorsements for motorcycles, mopeds with tricycles and sidecars. It is easier to get a license in a lower-powered category before moving to a more powerful one.

Obtaining a higher-category licence could require more thorough testing and requires you to pass a second practical and theoretical test. This is a way for drivers to gain experience with less powerful vehicles.