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. 2019 May;8(2):90–98. doi: 10.15420/aer.2019.13.2

Table 1: Definition of Driving Licence Groups.

EU UK US Canada Australia Japan
Group 1 Ordinary motorcycles, cars, small vehicles with or without a trailer (categories A, B) Similar to EU. Maximal vehicle weight <3,500 kg Any not fulfilling commercial driver criteria - Driver who drives <36,000 km/year, OR spends <720h/year behind the wheel
AND
- Drives a vehicle weighing <11 tonnes
AND
- Does not earn a living from driving
Drivers of cars and light rigid vehicles. Cars are defined as vehicles of <4.5 tonnes, and seating up to 12 adults (including the driver). Light rigid vehicles are defined as vehicles of between 4.5 and 8 tonnes (or 9 tonnes if having a trailer) - Driver of motorcycles, automobiles, other vehicles with or without a trailer, AND
- Does not earn a living from driving
Group 2 Drivers of vehicles weighing >3.5 tonnes. Drivers of passenger-carrying vehicles with more than 8 seats including the driver (categories C, D and E [vehicles with a trailer]) Similar to EU. Any driver of: vehicles weighing >26,001 pounds; truck with double/triple trailers; truck carrying hazardous materials; passenger vehicles designed to carry >16 passengers including the driver Any not fulfilling private driver criteria Any two-axle or three-axle rigid vehicle of >8 tonnes (or 9 tonnes with a trailer) Driver who earns a living from driving, including taxi, bus, ambulance

Source: Watanabe E et al.[10]; DVLA 2018[33]; EUR-Lex Directive 2006/126/EC[39]; The Expert Group on Driving and Cardiovascular Disease[40]; Lococo et al.[2]; Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administration[43]; Austroads.[44]