Which vehicles can be driven with the B license?
Verified 18 January 2023 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior
The B-permit authorizes the driving of a vehicle (car, van, camper) which has the following characteristics:
- Used for the transport of persons or goods
- PTAC less than or equal to 3,5 tons
- Maximum 9 seating positions (driver included)
The B-permit authorizes the driving of a vehicle (car, van, camper) which has the following characteristics:
- Used for the transport of persons or goods
- PTAC less than or equal to 3,5 tons
- Maximum 9 seating positions (driver included)
You can hitch to the vehicle:
- a trailer with a PTAC of 750 kg or less
- or a trailer with a PTAC greater than 750 kg if the sum of the PTACs (vehicle + trailer) does not exceed 3 500 kg.
The additional entry 96 permit B is required in the following situation:
- PTAC: titleContent Trailer exceeding 750 kg
- Sum of PTAC (vehicle + trailer): more than 3 500 kg not exceeding 4 250 kg
To obtain additional endorsement 96, you must follow a 7-hour training.
The formation comprises an out-of-circulation (HC) sequence and a circulating (CIR) sequence.
Contact a driving school or an approved social or vocational integration or reintegration association.
Driving license: find a certified school near you
At the end of this training, you will receive a certificate.
This certificate does not authorize driving.
Only the addition of the additional entry 96 on category B of the driving license which authorizes vehicles of that category to be driven.
It is the driving school or the approved association that requests this addition.
FYI
if the sum of the PTAC (car + trailer) is more than 4,250 kg, you must have the BE Permit. If the TCCA of the trailer is greater than 3.5 tons, you must have the permit C1E.
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License B, B96, BE: what difference to tow a trailer?
The B-permit issued before January 20, 1975 authorizes the driving of a motorhome of which PTAC exceeds 3,5 tons.
If you drive abroad, the code 79 must be affixed to the driving license (motorhome/motorhome code including the PTAC exceeds 3,5 tons).
Warning
You may not drive a motorhome of more than 3.5 tons with the following B licenses:
- B license issued on or after January 20, 1975
- B permit issued before January 20, 1975, invalidated or canceled after that date
- B permit issued before 20 January 1975 obtained by exchange of a permit issued by another State (European (or not) where the exchange took place after January 20, 1975
- B license issued before January 20, 1975 obtained following the validation of a professional diploma when this validation took place after January 20, 1975
- B license issued before January 20, 1975 obtained following the conversion of a military driving license where the conversion took place after January 20, 1975
If you are in this situation, you must pass the C1 permit.
License B allows you to drive a light motorcycle 125 or a 3-wheel scooter (category L5e) subject to conditions (training, duration of permit B, age).
The B-permit authorizes the driving of an agricultural or forestry vehicle or apparatus, or equivalent vehicle, the speed of which is 40 km/h maximum.
- Highway Code: Articles L221-1 A to L221-10Categories of driving license
- Highway Code: Articles R221-4 to R221-8Categories of driving licenses
- Highway Code: Articles R311-1 to D311-4Definition of vehicle categories
- Order of 17 January 2013 on the training required for holders of category B for the driving of an assembly whose sum of PTACs is between 3500 and 4250 kg
- Order of 20 April 2012 laying down the conditions for the issue, issue and validity of driving licenses
- Ministerial reply of 12 January 2021 on the operation of tractors and other agricultural machinery
- Ministerial reply of 15 September 2020 on the rules of conduct for agricultural equipment
FAQ
- Which license for which category of vehicles?
- Can you drive a 3-wheel scooter or a 125 motorcycle with the B license?
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- What is the period of validity of a driving license?
- Motor insurance (vehicle)Service-Public.fr
- B license: car or vanService-Public.fr
- Driving license and medical examination for health reasonsService-Public.fr
- Licensed driving schoolMinistry of the Interior
- Obligations and benefits of accredited schoolsMinistry of the Interior