If you are planning to drive, or process a driving License in Tanzania, it is very important to understand the different driving licence classes and the categories each class falls into. This will allow you drive what exactly is allowed as opposed to driving what you shouldn’t, something which will avoid you landing into trouble with traffic authorities.
Just like it happens in other countries like Uganda and others, different driving license classes belong to different categories where by one is not allowed to drive vehicles falling in a different license class unless one has classes matching the category of vehicle he or she is driving.
In brief, the Tanzania system of driving License comprise of various categories of classes of driving licenses as indicated below exactly as shown on the TRA website.
Motor cycles
- A – License to drive motor cycles with or without a sidecar and whose capacity exceeds 125cc or 230kg.
- A1 – Licenses to drive motor cycles without sidecar and whose capacity is less than 125cc or 230kg.
- A2 – License to drive motor powered tricycles and quadricycles.
- A3 – Licenses to drive moped whose capacity does not exceed 50cc.
Private Vehicles
- B – License to drive all types of motor vehicles except motor cycles, commercial, heavy duty and public service vehicles.
Public Service Vehicles
- C – License to drive public service vehicles with seating capacity of 30 and more passengers in addition to the driver, Vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer having a maximum authorized mass of not more than 750kg. Applicants must have held Class CI or E license for a period of not less than three years.
- C1- License to drive public service vehicles with a seating capacity of 15 but less than 30 Passengers in addition to the driver. Vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer having maximum authorized mass of not more than 750kg. Applicants must have held Class D license for a period of not less than three years.
- C2 – Licenses to drive public service vehicles with seating of four but less than fifteen Passengers. Vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer having maximum authorized mass of not more than 750kg. Applicants must have held Class D license for a period of not less than three years.
- C3 – Licenses to drive public services vehicles with a seating capacity of four or less passengers inclusive the driver. Vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer having a maximum authorized mass of not more than 750kg. Applicants must have held a Class D license for not less than three years.
Commercial Light Duty Vehicles
- D – License to drive all types of vehicles except motor cycles, heavy duty and public service vehicles.
Commercial Heavy Duty Vehicles
- E – License to drive all types of vehicles except motor cycles and public serves vehicles. Applicants must have held Class D License for not less than three years.
Track Laying Vehicles
- F – License to drive truck laying vehicles steered by their trucks.
Farm/ Mine Vehicles
- G – License to drive farm or mine vehicles.
Learners
- H – Provisional license for learn
Conclusion
The next time you think about a driving licence in Tanzania, the above information will help you understand all about the classes and categories, including the requirements. Remember, according to the road traffic rules and guidelines, it is a crime punishable to drive without a valid drivers license. You should always ensure that you are allowed to be on the road by obtaining a drivers licence.
