Vehicle Categories
This domain checks that you know which licence category covers the vehicle you are paid to drive, exactly where the category boundaries lie, and which age limits, medical conditions and professional qualifications attach to a Category D licence in Greece.
Licence categories for passenger transport
- D: motor vehicles designed and built to carry more than 8 passengers in addition to the driver.
- D1: the same, but with no more than 16 passengers in addition to the driver and a maximum length of 8 m.
- DE and D1E: the corresponding categories with a trailer over 750 kg.
- A trailer of 750 kg or less does not change the category letter.
Age, medical and CPC
Category D is normally available from 24. Greece may issue it from 21 to drivers holding the Certificate of Professional Competence (Πιστοποιητικό Επαγγελματικής Ικανότητας, ΠΕΙ) for domestic passenger services, and D1 from 18 with CPC. A medical certificate is required and the eyesight standard is stricter than for category B. The driver CPC is a card: initial qualification of 280 hours for new entrants, then 35 hours of periodic training every five years. Harmonised codes printed on the licence (for example 01 for eyesight correction) are conditions of the licence and must be respected while driving.
Why the boundary matters
Driving a D vehicle on a D1 licence, or driving for hire or reward without the CPC where it is required, invalidates insurance and is an offence. The operator's licence does not cure a defect in the driver's licence.
Worked example
A minibus is 7.8 m long and has 16 passenger seats plus the driver's seat. Is D1 sufficient? Yes. The passenger count is 16 because the driver is excluded, and the length is under 8 m, so the vehicle falls in D1. If the same body had 18 passenger seats it would be category D, even though its length is unchanged.
Traps
- Counting the driver among the 'more than 8' passengers.
- Forgetting that the 8 m length limit applies only to D1.
- Assuming a 900 kg trailer is covered by D - that combination needs DE.
- Treating the CPC card as optional for domestic scheduled work.