Travel enthusiasts are increasingly opting for road trips. However, a lack of knowledge about current regulations can easily ruin the holiday mood. It is therefore important to know what you are actually allowed to drive with a Category B driving licence. Is a “standard driving licence” enough to tow a caravan? And what if you want to travel with the whole family or a larger group of friends?
Category B – what are you allowed to drive?
A Category B driving licence is the most common type for drivers purchasing their first vehicle. It entitles you to drive a passenger car or a vehicle combination consisting of a motor vehicle and a trailer, subject to certain limitations. The motor vehicle must not be used to tow a trailer or trailer equipment with an actual total weight exceeding the trailer weight limit specified for the vehicle.
This is good news for anyone dreaming of a caravan holiday. Category B allows you to tow a light trailer, such as a caravan.
A Category B licence may also entitle you to drive other types of vehicles or motorised equipment, within specific limits. With a Category B driving licence, you can drive, among others:
- a passenger car with a maximum permissible weight of no more than 3,500 kg,
- a passenger car with a trailer, provided the trailer’s maximum permissible weight does not exceed 750 kg. You may tow a heavier trailer if the combined maximum permissible weight of the car and trailer does not exceed 3,500 kg,
- all types of mopeds with two, three or four wheels,
- a four-wheeled motorcycle. In Norway, you may tow a trailer of up to 750 kg if the motorcycle has an engine capacity above 125 cc,
- a snowmobile with or without a trailer sled (if Category B was obtained before 1 July 2006),
- an ATV registered as a four-wheeled motorcycle,
- a three-wheeled motorcycle (if Category B was obtained before 19 January 2013),
- a tractor with a maximum permissible weight of up to 3,500 kg. If towing a trailer, the tractor must be capable of a maximum speed of 40 km/h. Tractor driving rights apply only in Norway (if Category B or T was obtained before 1 January 2005),
- motorised work equipment with a maximum permissible weight of up to 3,500 kg, such as a forklift or a wheel loader.
According to the regulations, a Category B driving licence allows you to tow a trailer weighing up to 750 kg. In most cases, this is sufficient for towing a caravan. But what if you are planning a holiday with a heavier caravan? In that case, you need to extend your driving entitlement to Category BE, which allows you to tow heavier trailers.
How many passengers can I carry with a Category B licence?
You may be wondering how many passengers you are actually allowed to carry with a Category B driving licence. In this case, the rules are clear: you may drive a passenger car approved for up to 8 passengers, in addition to the driver.
You might also ask about the maximum number of seats in a vehicle you are allowed to drive with Category B. Under current regulations, you may have up to 8 passenger seats in your vehicle, plus the driver’s seat. In Norway, you must be at least 18 years old to obtain a Category B driving licence.
Before the holiday season, many customers enquire about minibus rentals at Oslo Bilutleie without being aware that they are not permitted to drive all types of minibuses. We encourage all our customers to familiarise themselves with the applicable regulations regarding the number of passengers allowed in a minibus when driving with a Category B licence.
Under the current rules,
you may, with a Category B driving licence, have up to 8 passenger seats in your vehicle, in addition to the driver’s seat (i.e. passenger cars, some vans and minibuses).
A vehicle with more than 9 seats is defined as a bus. With a Category D1 driving licence, you may drive a minibus approved for up to 16 passengers (vans, minibuses and some types of buses).
If you intend to drive a minibus with more than 17 seats, you must hold a Category D driving licence, often referred to as a full bus licence (minibuses and buses).
Category B and vans
Can you drive a van with a Category B driving licence? Different types of vans can carry between 8 and 16 passengers. You may drive a van provided that the number of seats stated in the registration document does not exceed 9. If the number of seats is higher, you must extend your driving licence with an additional category.
If you are planning a trip and considering rent a car Oslo options, it is especially important to check the seating capacity listed in the vehicle documentation.
Category B and minibuses
What about minibuses? We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the specifications of the particular minibus model. Some vehicles are configured in a way that allows them to be driven with a Category B licence. However, many minibus types can carry up to 16 passengers, in which case Category B is not sufficient.

Minibus with 9 seats – which driving licence category is required?
Are you going on holiday with your large family or a group of friends and planning to rent a minibus? To drive a vehicle with more than 9 seats, you must hold a Category D1 driving licence. You must be at least 21 years old and already hold a Category B licence to obtain Category D1.
With a Category D1 licence, you may drive a minibus approved for between 9 and 16 passengers. The vehicle may be no longer than 8 metres. You may tow a trailer with a maximum permissible weight of up to 750 kg.
If you wish to tow a trailer weighing more than 750 kg, you must obtain a Category D1E driving licence.