Meaning of licence entitlements

Granadalad

Can anyone help me understand the codes used for entitlements on old and new driving licences. I felt a bit anxious about the possibility of my ancient paper licence being replaced by a plastic version losing current entitlements in error, so after looking on the DVLA site I paid £5 for a copy of their record of my licence.

They say my current licence confirms categories passed are BAP and previous licence held up to 1978 had groups passed as AD. I'm sure not sure how to decode all that, but I hope it translates to manual car, motorcycle of any capacity, minibus up to 15 seats and some very light goods vehicles.

Advice appreciated.

Trebor16

Group A is motorcycles and group B is for a car. Group P is for a moped. If memory serves me correct the old groups were A for a car and D for a motorcycle.

wealdroam

No need to rely on Trebor16's memory.

DirectGov has all the info.

Look here, or if you passed your test before 1997, then look here.

Trebor16

wealdroam wrote: »

No need to rely on Trebor16's memory.

DirectGov has all the info.

Look here, or if you passed your test before 1997, then look here.

My memory was up to scratch though:D

Rover_Driver

Granadalad wrote: »

They say my current licence confirms categories passed are BAP and previous licence held up to 1978 had groups passed as AD. I'm sure not sure how to decode all that, but I hope it translates to manual car, motorcycle of any capacity, minibus up to 15 seats and some very light goods vehicles.

Advice appreciated.

As you held your licence before 1997, as well as B A P, a new licence should also show C1+E (goods vehicle up to 7500kg + trailer and D1 (minibus - not for hire or reward).

Road_Hog

Granadalad wrote: »

Can anyone help me understand the codes used for entitlements on old and new driving licences.

Don't worry, because.

A) You still get a paper licence to go with your plastic card.

You don't lose any entitlements that you have. You keep them under what they call 'grandad's rights'. Which means that on an ordinary car licence, you can drive a moped without 'L' plates, you can drive a 7.5 tonner, a minibus and various other rights that are not available to people who have passed their test in the last 15 years.