The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

By virtue of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/2824), separate driving tests are introduced in respect of motor cars with trailers (category B+E), trucks and vans of between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass (sub-categories C1 and C1+E) and buses having between 9 and 16 passenger seats whether or not they carry passengers for hire or reward (sub-categories D1 and D1+E). Provisional licences to drive these categories of vehicle may, however, only be issued to persons holding at least a licence to drive motor cars (category B). Those Regulations thereby implement the second Council Directive on driving licences, 91/439/EEC (OJ No. L237, 24.8.91, p.1).

These Regulations amend the Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982 so as to enable a person who holds a provisional licence for such vehicles to drive them on a motorway. The current regulations already permit persons to drive on motorways large goods vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles which are driven for hire or reward (since provisional licences for these may only be issued to persons holding category B licences).

The Regulations include transitional measures to prevent persons who currently hold provisional licences to drive some medium-sized vehicles (entitlement having been given concurrently with a provisional licence for category B) from driving them on motorways before they have at least a full category B licence.