Driving categories 2026: Descriptions, requirements, notes

Many drivers are well acquainted with Category B, but the driver's license system encompasses far more possibilities. Depending on the type of vehicle you plan to drive—motorcycle, car, truck, bus, or a vehicle with a trailer—a different category may be required, each with its own acquisition requirements.

The chosen category determines not only the minimum age or training procedure but also which vehicles you will be able to drive in the future. Some categories automatically grant the right to drive vehicles assigned to smaller categories, so it's worth understanding their differences and possibilities in advance.

This article provides all the driving categories valid in Lithuania, their descriptions, age requirements, and key notes to help you choose the most suitable path towards obtaining a driver's license.

Driving Categories

There are a total of 16 different driving license categories, which we review below.

Category AM

Category AM includes mopeds and light quadricycles.

The minimum age to obtain the right to drive is 15 years.

Category AM is the only category that does not require a practical driving exam to obtain.

Category A1

Category A1 includes motorcycles (50 - 125 cm3, ≤ 11 kW, ≤0.1 kW/kg), as well as tricycles with a power not exceeding 15 kW.

The minimum age to obtain the right to drive is 16 years.

Category A2 

Category A2 includes motorcycles with a power ≤ 35 kW and a power/weight ratio ≤ 0.2 kW/kg, and they cannot originate from a vehicle more than 2× more powerful.

The minimum age to obtain the right to drive is 18 years.

Category A 

Category A includes tricycles (>15 kW) and motorcycles.

The minimum age to drive Category A is 20 years (except for tricycles). To obtain the right to drive Category A motorcycles, a two-year A2 category experience is required. The requirement for a two-year A2 category experience does not apply to individuals aged 24 and over. The right to drive tricycles (>15 kW) is granted from 21 years.

Category B1

Category B1 includes quadricycles, less powerful than Category B cars, with a design speed > 45 km/h or engine capacity > 50 cm³, and a mass ≤ 400 kg (without load). The mass of vehicles intended for carrying goods must be ≤ 550 kg.

The minimum age to obtain the right to drive Category B1 is 16 years. At 18 years, B1 category holders must retake exams to obtain Category B.

Category B

Category B includes cars (≤3,500 kg, ≤8 passengers, excluding the driver). These cars can be combined with a trailer ≤750 kg or >750 kg if the total combination is ≤3,500 kg.

Driving a combination (3,501 - 4,250 kg) is possible with the code "96" recorded on the driver's license, which is entered after passing the appropriate practical driving exam.

The minimum age to obtain the right to drive is 18 years.

Category BE

Category BE includes combinations of a Category B car and a trailer (≤3,500 kg).

The minimum age to obtain the right to drive is 18 years.

Category C1

Category C1 includes cars (3,501 - 7,500 kg, not assigned to D1 or D categories, ≤8 passengers excluding the driver). These cars can be combined with trailers with a maximum permissible mass ≤750 kg.

The minimum age to obtain the right to drive is 18 years.

Category C1E

Category C1E includes combinations of C1 category cars and trailers (>750 kg), combinations of B category tractor units and trailers (>3,500 kg), with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 12,000 kg.

The minimum age to obtain the right to drive is 18 years.

Category C

Category C includes cars (>3,500 kg, not assigned to D1 or D categories, ≤8 passengers). These category cars can be combined with trailers with a maximum permissible mass ≤750 kg.

The minimum age to obtain the right to drive is 21 years, but an age exception applies to individuals who have obtained initial professional qualification for transporting goods.

Category CE

Category CE includes combinations of C category cars and trailers (>750 kg).

The minimum age to obtain the right to drive is 21 years, but an age exception applies to individuals who have obtained initial professional qualification for transporting goods.

Category D1

Category D1 includes cars (≤16 passengers, ≤8 m in length). These cars can be combined with trailers with a maximum permissible mass ≤750 kg.

The minimum age to obtain the right to drive is 21 years, but an age exception applies to individuals who have obtained initial professional qualification for transporting goods.

Category D1E

Category D1E includes combinations of D1 category cars and trailers (>750 kg).

The minimum age to obtain the right to drive is 21 years, but an age exception applies to individuals who have obtained initial professional qualification for transporting goods.

Category D

Category D includes cars (buses) designed to carry >8 passengers (excluding the driver). These cars can be combined with a trailer with a maximum permissible mass ≤750 kg.

The minimum age to obtain the right to drive is 24 years, but an age exception applies to individuals who have obtained initial professional qualification for transporting goods.

Category DE

Category DE includes combinations of D category cars and trailers (>750 kg).

The minimum age to obtain the right to drive is 24 years, but an age exception applies to individuals who have obtained initial professional qualification for transporting goods.

Category T

Category T includes trolleybuses - non-rail vehicles connected to an external power source.

The minimum age to obtain the right to drive is 21 years. 

Important Notes

• AM category vehicles can be driven with any category license;

• With A and B categories, you can drive powerful quadricycles;

• With A2 category, you can drive A1 category vehicles;

• With A category, you can drive A1 and A2 category vehicles;

• With B, C, or D categories, you can drive B1, C1, D1 categories respectively;

• With C1E, CE, D1E, DE categories, you can drive BE category; 

• With CE, DE categories, you can drive C1E, D1E categories respectively;

• With CE category, you can drive DE category if you have the right to drive D category.