First, the good news: you’re authorised do more stuff than you think! You don’t need a special permit to drive camper vans or motorhomes in certain cases. Around 85% of motorhomes manufactured in Germany have a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 3.5 metric tonnes, so they can be driven on a normal passenger car licence.
Greater MAM permitted pre-1999: Greater MAM permitted pre-1999:
DRIVING LICENCE CATEGORY 3.
People who passed their driving test in Germany before 1999 have it easy, they’re allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 7.5 tonnes. Old German licence holders are entitled to drive combinations including motorhomes and trailers up to an MAM of 18.5 tonnes. But be aware: the latter weight restrictions only apply to drivers under 50.
Licences after 1999. Licences after 1999.
THIS IS WHERE IT GETS COMPLICATED
Since driving licence categories were standardised across Europe, category B licences only permit holders to drive motorhomes up to an MAM of 3.5 tonnes. Any trailers are already factored into the weight.
If you want to travel with a motorhome over the 3.5 tonne limit, you will need the following licence entitlements:
CATEGORY B96
Do you have a car and trailer combination with an MAM of up to 4.25 tonnes? Then you need a driving licence with the category B96. You’ll also need to pass a one-day training session.
CATEGORY B + E
The driving licence category B + E allows you to drive 3.5-tonne vehicle with a trailer weighing 3.5 tonnes and under.
CATEGORY C1
Is a motorhome weighing up to 7.5 tonnes more your thing? Then you can drive one with licence category C1, but the trailer cannot exceed 750 kg.
CATEGORY C1E
This licence category allows you to drive motorhomes weighing up to 7.5 tonnes. Trailers under this category cannot exceed 3.5 tonnes.
CATEGORY C
A licence with category C allows you to drive a vehicle with an MAM over 3.5 tonnes, but its trailer must not exceed 750 kg.
CATEGORY C + E
You need a driving licence with the C + E category if you want to drive motorhomes over 7.5 tonnes. This category also allows you to tow a trailer over 750 kg.
Do you have any queries about the different driving licence categories?
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