Driving License Categories in Czechia — A to D
There are 16 driving license categories in the Czech Republic. Most people only know about category B. And that lack of knowledge can get expensive — like when you find out you need a different license for that caravan, right as the police pull you over. The fine for driving without the right license starts at CZK 25,000 and can climb to CZK 75,000, plus a one-to-three-year driving ban.
This guide explains the entire Czech driving license system in one place. From category AM, which you can get at fifteen, through the most common category B, all the way to trucks and buses. For each category, you'll learn what vehicles it covers, the minimum age, how much training costs, and what the process looks like. Everything is up to date for 2026, based on Czech Act No. 361/2000 Coll. and data we collect from over 1,000 driving schools on Kvalty.cz.
Quick summary:
- There are 16 driving license categories in Czechia — from mopeds (AM) through cars (B) to buses (D)
- Category B is the most common — over 119,000 people obtained it in 2024
- You can get a license from age 15 (AM) or 17 (B with a mentor under the L17 scheme)
- License validity is 10 years (categories A, B, T) or 5 years (categories C, D)
How the category system works
Driving licenses across the entire EU follow the same system — defined by Directive 2006/126/EC. That means the categories on your Czech license are valid in all EU member states. No need to convert or exchange anything.
The whole system is built on the principle of progressive access. It's most visible with motorcycles: you start on mopeds (AM) at fifteen and gradually work your way up through light bikes (A1), medium bikes (A2), to unrestricted machines (A). A similar principle applies to trucks and buses — you always need category B first before you can go for C or D.
Each category has its own minimum age, training requirements, and exam type. Some categories also require a professional driver certificate (CPC) — mandatory training for those who want to drive trucks or buses as a profession. And then there are so-called equivalences: with one category, you're automatically allowed to drive certain vehicles from another category. For example, with a B license, you can also drive mopeds (AM) and from age 21, three-wheelers from category A.
16 categories, but most people only need B
You don't need to memorize all 16 categories. Category B (car) covers the needs of the vast majority of drivers. Deal with other categories only when you need a specific vehicle — motorcycle, truck, bus, or trailer.
Overview of all categories by vehicle type
Here's the complete map. Find the type of vehicle you're interested in, and you'll see which category you need.
Motorcycles and mopeds
The two-wheel world has four tiers, stacked on top of each other. Each one unlocks more powerful machines and each has its own minimum age.
Category AM is the gateway — from age 15, you can ride mopeds and scooters up to 45 km/h with engines up to 50 cc. Category A1 starts at sixteen and unlocks light motorcycles up to 125 cc and 11 kW. At eighteen comes A2 with medium-power bikes up to 35 kW. And the full A license with no power restrictions can be obtained either at 24 through direct access, or as early as 20 if you've held A2 for at least two years — in that case, you only need a practical supplementary exam with no theory.
→ Details in the chapter Category A — Motorcycles
Cars
Category B is the most common driving license in Czechia. It lets you drive cars up to 3,500 kg with a maximum of eight passengers plus the driver. Since 2024, you can get it from age 17 under the L17 scheme — you drive under the supervision of a mentor sitting next to you. The standard age for B is 18.
If you need to tow a trailer, it depends on the total weight of the combination. Up to 3,500 kg, a regular B is enough. For combinations from 3,500 to 4,250 kg, there's the B96 extension — a short course and supplementary exam. And if the total weight exceeds 4,250 kg, you need the full B+E license.
→ Details in the chapter Category B — Cars → Trailers and caravans covered in detail in Towing Vehicles — B96 and B+E
Trucks
For trucks, you need category C. It covers commercial vehicles over 3,500 kg with no upper weight limit. The standard age is 21, but with a professional driver certificate (280-hour initial training), you can start at eighteen. The C+E extension is for towing heavy trailers — that's what you need for a classic truck-and-trailer combination.
There's also an intermediate level, C1, for lighter trucks from 3,500 to 7,500 kg — useful if you're driving a larger van or small truck and don't want to go through full C training.
→ Details in the chapter Category C — Trucks
Buses
Category D is for buses carrying more than 9 passengers. You can get it at 24, or at 21 with a professional driver certificate (280 hours). Subcategory D1 covers minibuses up to 8 meters and 17 passengers — available from age 21.
Bus drivers are in short supply in Czechia. An estimated 5,000 drivers are missing from the market. That means good pay and job security for those who choose this career path.
→ Details in the chapter Category D — Buses
Tractors and work machines
Category T sits outside the main hierarchy. It's available from age 17 and covers tractors, self-propelled work machines, and their trailers. If you live in a rural area or work in agriculture, you'll likely need it.
How old are you? Here's what you can drive
Age is the first requirement you need to meet. Here's the overview — find your age and see which categories the law allows you to obtain.
| Age | Category | What you can drive |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | AM | Mopeds, scooters up to 45 km/h |
| 16 | A1 | Light motorcycles up to 125 cc, 11 kW |
| 17 | B (with mentor), B1, T | Cars (L17 scheme), quadricycles, tractors |
| 18 | A2, B, B96, B+E, C1, C1+E | Medium-power motorcycles, cars, trailers, light trucks |
| 20 | A (with 2 years of A2) | Unrestricted motorcycles — via supplementary exam |
| 21 | C, C+E, D1, D1+E | Trucks, minibuses (C/CE from 18 with CPC) |
| 24 | A (direct access), D, D+E | Unrestricted motorcycles, buses (D from 21/23 with CPC) |
Not 18 yet?
You can ride a moped at 15 (AM), a light motorcycle at 16 (A1), and drive a car with a mentor at 17 (B under the L17 scheme). Plus B1 for quadricycles and T for tractors. At seventeen, you already have a surprising number of options.
What else you can drive with each category
One of the most common questions: "Can I ride a motorcycle with a B license?" The answer depends on what exactly you mean by motorcycle. The law defines so-called equivalences — with a higher category, you're automatically allowed to drive certain vehicles from a lower one.
With a B license, you can automatically drive mopeds and scooters in category AM. And from age 21, you can also drive three-wheelers from category A. Additionally, Czechia has a special national equivalence (§81 para. 11): with a B license, you can ride light motorcycles up to 125 cc with an automatic transmission — but only within the Czech Republic. This doesn't apply abroad.
With an A license, you can ride everything from AM, A1, and A2. With C+E, you can also drive B+E and C1+E vehicles. And with D+E, you can drive B+E and D1+E vehicles. The principle is simple: higher includes lower.
How much does training cost
Training prices vary significantly by category and region. Prague is traditionally the most expensive, while smaller towns offer much better prices. Here are the approximate ranges — exact current prices can be found in the individual chapters and on Kvalty.cz.
Porovnání průměrných cen výcviku podle kategorie řidičského průkazu — živá data z Kvalty.cz
| Category | Min. age | Average price | From | To | Schools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C+E – Truck with heavy trailer | 21 | 36 660 Kč | – | 60 000 Kč | 10 |
| D – Buses | 24 | 28 557 Kč | – | 64 900 Kč | 76 |
| B – Passenger cars up to 3.5 t | 18 | 26 147 Kč | – | 64 500 Kč | 1 108 |
| C – Trucks over 3.5 t | 21 | 25 863 Kč | – | 60 550 Kč | 246 |
| A2 – Motorcycles up to 35 kW | 18 | 25 075 Kč | 3 500 Kč | 64 500 Kč | 522 |
| A – Powerful motorcycles without limits | 20 | 24 732 Kč | 3 500 Kč | 64 500 Kč | 535 |
| C1 – Light trucks | 18 | 24 316 Kč | 19 490 Kč | 28 000 Kč | 7 |
| B+E – Car with heavy trailer | 18 | 23 923 Kč | 10 000 Kč | 35 700 Kč | 7 |
| D1 – Minibuses | 21 | 23 500 Kč | 22 000 Kč | 25 000 Kč | 2 |
| T – Tractors | 17 | 23 309 Kč | – | 59 000 Kč | 227 |
| A1 – Motorcycles up to 125 cc | 16 | 21 198 Kč | 3 500 Kč | 53 500 Kč | 495 |
| B1 – Quadricycles and light motor vehicles | 17 | 19 950 Kč | 17 000 Kč | 22 900 Kč | 2 |
| AM – Mopeds and small scooters | 15 | 18 837 Kč | 3 500 Kč | 53 500 Kč | 444 |
| B96 – Car with medium trailer | 18 | 17 585 Kč | 4 990 Kč | 33 500 Kč | 9 |
Total 3690 schools
The table above shows current average prices from driving schools on Kvalty.cz. As a general rule, extensions like B96 for trailers and category AM are the cheapest. Category B falls in the middle price range, but regional differences are huge — in Prague, you can easily pay double compared to a smaller town in Moravia. Motorcycle categories A1 and A2 usually cost less than B. C and D are the most expensive, since the professional driver certificate adds a significant extra cost on top of the course itself.
For every category, also factor in the administrative exam fee (CZK 700), a medical certificate (about CZK 500), and license issuance (CZK 200).
→ Current prices by region are available in the individual chapters below
What has changed in recent years
The Czech Road Traffic Act has undergone a major amendment since 2024. Some changes affect you directly, others you'll notice mainly in practice — like being able to apply for your license online.
Since January 1, 2024 (Act No. 271/2023 Coll.), three major changes apply. First, driving from age 17 (L17 scheme) — you can obtain category B at seventeen, but you drive under the supervision of a mentor sitting next to you. Second, probationary license — every first-time driver has a two-year probationary period, and accumulating 6+ points triggers a mandatory course. And third, the penalty point system was simplified from five tiers to three: 2, 4, and 6 points.
Since January 1, 2026, another wave of changes arrived. You can drive immediately after registration in the system — no need to wait for the physical card. You can apply for a license online through the Transport Portal. Mandatory medical exams for seniors shifted from 65 to 70 years of age. And L17 mentors can now be registered electronically.
Is your license expiring in 2026?
In 2026, 557,566 driving licenses are expiring. If yours is among them, apply for a replacement in time — standard processing takes 20 days, express service costs CZK 700 and takes 5 days. Replacement upon expiration is free.
Frequently asked questions
There are 16 categories in Czechia: AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B, B+E, C1, C1+E, C, C+E, D1, D1+E, D, D+E, and T. Most people only need category B for a car. You only deal with other categories when you need a specific vehicle type — motorcycle, truck, bus, or trailer.
Normally from age 18 with category B. Since 2024, the L17 scheme allows a license from age 17 with a mentor sitting in the passenger seat. The mentor must have held a B license for more than 10 years and have zero penalty points. → More in the chapter Category B
In Czechia, partially yes. With a B license, you can ride a scooter up to 125 cc with an automatic transmission (national equivalence, code 79). But this exception doesn't apply abroad — there you can only ride mopeds up to 45 km/h (category AM). → More in the chapter Category A — Motorcycles
It depends on the weight. If the total weight of the car + caravan according to the vehicle registration certificate (field F.2) doesn't exceed 3,500 kg, a B license is enough. Up to 4,250 kg you need B96, above that B+E. → More in the chapter Towing Vehicles
It depends on the category and region. Category B: CZK 17,000–35,000. Motorcycles (A1/A2): CZK 10,000–30,000. Trucks (C): CZK 19,000–28,000 plus the professional certificate. Prague is the most expensive, smaller towns are cheapest.
You enroll in a driving school for an upgrade course, which is shorter and cheaper than full training. After completing it, you pass an exam and apply for a new driving license. For motorcycles (A1→A2→A) with two or more years of experience, you only need a practical supplementary exam — no theory. → More in the chapter How to Extend Your License
Categories A, B, and T: 10 years. Categories C and D (professional): 5 years. After expiration, you exchange the document at the office — your authorization remains, only the card changes. Replacement upon expiration is free (CZK 200 administrative fee only applies when personal details change).
Find a driving school in your city
Now you know which category you need. Next step? Find a driving school that offers training for your category and fits your budget and location. At Kvalty.cz, we compare driving schools across the entire Czech Republic — prices, reviews, locations. Enter your city and see what options you have.
How to choose the right driving school
Don't just pick the first driving school you find. Compare at least three — focus on instructor quality, not just price. On Kvalty.cz, we have reviews from thousands of graduates to help you choose. And if you want to know what to ask, check out our Everything About Driving School hub.
Summary
- There are 16 driving license categories in Czechia — from mopeds (AM, age 15) through cars (B, age 18) to buses (D, age 24)
- Category B is the most common — that's what you need for a regular car
- The system is progressive — for motorcycles you progress AM → A1 → A2 → A, for trucks B → C → C+E
- With a B license, you can automatically drive mopeds (AM) and from age 21, three-wheelers (A)
- License validity is 10 years (A/B/T) or 5 years (C/D) — then a free document exchange
- Since 2024, L17 (license from 17 with a mentor) and the probationary license (2-year trial period) are in effect
- Training costs vary by category and region — Prague is the most expensive
Key Terms
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| License category (class) | Legal designation for the type of vehicles you're allowed to drive — AM, A, B, C, D, T |
| Equivalence | The right to drive vehicles of a lower category with a higher license (e.g., B includes AM) |
| Professional driver certificate (CPC) | Mandatory training for professional truck and bus drivers |
| L17 | Category B license from age 17 with a mentor — since 2024 |
| Probationary license | Two-year trial period for first-time drivers — since 2024 |
| Code 78 | Harmonized code on the license — restriction to vehicles with automatic transmission |
| B96 | Extension of B license for towing trailers with combinations of 3,500–4,250 kg |
| Progressive access | System of gradual access to more powerful motorcycles: AM → A1 → A2 → A |
| Supplementary exam | Exam when upgrading to a higher category — often practical only, no theory |
| Training hour | Unit of instruction at a driving school — lasts 45 minutes |