B, B1, BE Categories

 What are driving categories B, B1, BE and how do they differ?

Category B

Category B includes cars with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 3,500 kg and designed to carry no more than eight passengers, excluding the driver. These cars may be coupled to a trailer with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 750 kg or a trailer with a maximum permissible mass exceeding 750 kg, but the total maximum permissible mass of the combination does not exceed 3,500 kg. In order to drive category B vehicles with a trailer with a maximum permissible mass exceeding 750 kg and a maximum permissible mass of the combination of 3,501–4,250 kg, it is possible with the code (96) entered on the driving licence. Category B vehicles are permitted to be driven from the age of 18.

The theoretical exam is required to obtain a category B driving license. The questions on the theory exam are made up of similar questions that are presented on the KET tickets. KET tickets help ensure that candidates have the necessary theoretical knowledge of road traffic rules and safety, which is tested during both the theoretical and practical exams. Only after successfully passing the theoretical exam can candidates take the practical exam and receive a category B driving license. If you are planning to take the category B driving license exam, we recommend that you learn the rules of the road by solving our free simulated KET tickets from Regitras .

Category B1

B1 driving category can be obtained by persons from the age of 16. Category B1 allows driving only smaller and less powerful cars than category B. Persons who have acquired the right to drive category B1 cars will be able to choose vehicles with a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h and/or an engine displacement of more than 50 cm3, and an unladen weight of no more than 400 kg. The weight of a vehicle intended for the carriage of goods is no more than 550 kg. Upon reaching the age of 18, owners of category B1 must retake exams to obtain category B.

Category BE

Category BE includes a category B car with a trailer with a maximum permissible mass of no more than 3,500 kg. This means that the total mass of the combination cannot exceed 7,000 kg. BE, like category B, can be driven by persons from the age of 18.

Thus, the essential differences between categories B, BE, and B1 are that category B, passenger cars, can be driven by persons from the age of 18, B1 - from the age of 16, and category BE includes a category B car with a trailer.

Prices for categories B, B1, BE

The cost of maintaining the rights of categories B, B1 and BE includes common aspects, and the cost of maintaining these categories differs from the mandatory practical driving hours requirement.

• Maintaining category B will cost from ~530 Eur. This category includes 30 ac. hours of practical driving.

• The cost of maintaining category B1 will start at ~430 EUR. This category includes 20 academic hours of practical driving.

• The cost of maintaining the BE category will start at ~350 EUR. This category includes 10 hours of practical driving.

The cost of maintaining categories B, B1, BE includes 5 common aspects, which are presented below:

• Driving theory learning. Its price depends on whether you will study the theory externally (independently) or with a group. If you study driving theory independently, you will not have to pay extra for this part, but if you choose to study with a group, theory lessons will cost up to 50 EUR. Some driving schools offer both remote and contact theory lessons, so the price varies depending on the choice.
  
  If you study externally with the help of EKET.LT KET test solution plans, you will have 7 days of unlimited solutions now for only 5.40 EUR, and when choosing 14 or 31-day plans, they will additionally include individual driving instructor consultation and group remote lectures. The 14-day package at EKET.LT now costs 7.70 EUR, and the 31-day package costs 14.90 EUR. You can try 200-question KET tests for category B for free.

• Driving practice training. Its price varies depending on whether the car you want to learn to drive has an automatic or manual transmission and the number of driving hours required for the category you are driving. Practical driving courses for category B, depending on the driving school, can cost up to 500 EUR, for category B1 up to 400 EUR, for category BE up to 320 EUR. When driving with an automatic transmission, the price will be about 30 EUR higher than when driving with a manual transmission.

• Taking the theory exam at "Regitra". The price of this theoretical knowledge test (for categories B, B1, BE) is 10 Eur.

• Taking the practical exam at "Regitra". When taking the practical exam (for categories B, B1, BE) with a "Regitra" vehicle, the exam will cost 41.26 EUR, and when taking it with your own vehicle - 34.54 EUR (only when taking it with a vehicle adapted for physical disabilities). The prices of exams (theory / practical) at "Regitra" are the same, regardless of whether you hold category B, B1 or BE rights.

• Other possible costs. You may also have to pay for a health check (up to 40 EUR), a first aid course completion certificate (up to 30 EUR) and additional driving lessons to consolidate your knowledge. Additional lessons cost around 20 EUR/ac. Hour, depending on the school or teacher.

It is important to note that the cost of maintaining all categories of rights depends largely on each individual's abilities; some may be able to pass the exams on the first try, while others may have to pay for additional driving lessons or retake exams.

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What are the requirements for categories B, BE, B1?

The requirements for categories B, B1 and BE differ from the maximum permissible mass of the car or trailer.

Category B requirements

• Category B includes cars with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 3,500 kg . In order to drive category B vehicles with a trailer with a maximum permissible mass exceeding 750 kg and a maximum permissible mass of the combination of 3,501–4,250 kg, it is possible with the code (96) entered on the driving licence. If the car is lighter than the maximum weight of 3,500 kg, the trailer may be heavier accordingly, for example, if the car weighs 2,500 kg, the trailer may weigh 1,750 kg. This code (96) is entered only after passing the relevant practical driving test.

• Persons from the age of 18 can obtain a driving license for category B. You can start studying driving theory and practice for category B even earlier, at the age of 17, and take the theory exam at the "Registry" from the age of 17, and the practical exam from the age of 18.

• In order to take the category B theory exam at "Regitra", you will be required to submit a driver's health certificate and a first aid course certificate .

• If you previously had category B1 rights , you must retake the exams to obtain category B when you turn 18.

Category B1 requirements

• Category B1 includes cars with an unladen mass not exceeding 400 kg .

• Persons can obtain the right to drive in category B1 from the age of 16. Driving theory and practice for category B1 can be started earlier, at the age of 15, and the theory exam can be taken at the "Registry" from the age of 15, and the practical exam from the age of 16.

• In order to take the B1 category theory exam at "Regitra", you will be required to submit a driver's health certificate and a first aid course certificate .

BE category requirements

• Category BE includes a category B car and a trailer with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 3,500 kg .

• Persons from the age of 18 can obtain a BE driving license .

• If you pass category B (C or D) and have the appropriate driver's license, no special benefits are granted, and you will be required to fully prepare for the BE category theoretical and practical exams.

• In order to take the BE category theory exam at "Regitra", you will need to present a driver's health certificate, a first aid course certificate , and a driver's license, if you have one from before.