Both the C and C1 licences allow you to drive heavy goods vehicles, but they cover different vehicle sizes, lead to different job opportunities and require different levels of investment in training. Comparing the two categories means looking beyond vehicle weight to consider the professional qualification required, the separate administrative deadlines and the roles actually available on the job market.
Comparing C and C1 licences: weight, age and training duration
| Criteria | C1 licence | C licence |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum authorised mass (MAM) | From 3.5 t to 7.5 t | Over 3.5 t, with no upper limit |
| Number of seats (including the driver) | Maximum 9 | Maximum 9 |
| Requirements | Category B licence + medical examination | Category B licence + medical examination |
| Indicative training duration | Shorter than for the C licence | 12 days (84 hours) |
| Tests | Off-road + on-road | Off-road + on-road |
| Possible extension | C1E (vehicle and trailer combination) | CE (articulated vehicle combination) |
The C1 licence limits drivers to rigid vehicles with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of no more than 7.5 tonnes. The C licence, by contrast, has no weight limit above 3.5 tonnes: it covers everything from a 12-tonne rigid truck to a 19- or 26-tonne truck.
In both cases, drivers who want to obtain a C or C1 licence to drive a rigid truck must hold a valid category B licence and pass a medical examination. The difference in training duration directly reflects the difference in complexity between the two vehicle sizes.
FIMO and FCO professional qualifications: what the licence alone does not cover
Holding a C or C1 licence is not enough to work as an employed truck driver. A professional qualification separate from the driving licence is mandatory to take up a driving role in freight transport.
This qualification is usually obtained through FIMO (Mandatory Initial Minimum Training) or a professional qualification as a truck driver. It certifies that the driver understands transport regulations, safety, load securing and eco-driving—skills that are not assessed in the driving test.
Two administrative deadlines to manage in parallel
A driver qualification card has its own expiry date, separate from that of the driving licence. A valid C licence does not make up for an expired qualification: drivers must renew their card by completing FCO (Mandatory Continuing Training) before it expires.
In practice, drivers therefore need to keep track of two schedules:
- The validity of their category C or C1 driving licence, which is subject to periodic medical examinations
- The validity of their professional qualification card, renewed by completing a 35-hour FCO course
- Theory test validity: the test must have been passed within the last five years to be exempt from taking another theory test when adding an additional category
If either document expires, professional driving is prohibited, even if the other is still valid. This applies to both C1 and C licence holders.
Road transport jobs available with a C or C1 licence
France Travail’s job profile lists driving rigid vehicles under categories C and C1, but the work differs considerably depending on the vehicle size.
Typical jobs with a C1 licence
A C1 licence allows drivers to operate light rigid vehicles, including urban delivery trucks, refrigerated vans under 7.5 tonnes and smaller construction vehicles. These roles often involve short routes with frequent stops in areas with heavy traffic.
Employers in this field include last-mile delivery, temperature-controlled food delivery and some collection or maintenance services that require a workshop vehicle.
Typical jobs with a C licence
A C licence opens up a wider range of opportunities. Drivers can operate rigid vehicles of all sizes, from 12 to 26 tonnes, for regional transport, construction tipper work, tanker transport or long-distance freight in a rigid vehicle.
A C licence is also a prerequisite for the CE licence, which allows drivers to operate articulated vehicle combinations (tractor unit + semi-trailer). This extension opens up further career options in long-distance transport, abnormal loads and container transport.
Choosing between a C and C1 licence based on your career plans
The choice is about more than vehicle weight. It affects your training budget, learning time and career path.
Candidates aiming for urban delivery work or a driving role with a local authority do not need to take the C licence: the C1 covers the vehicles used in these jobs and requires less investment in training.
However, candidates planning to drive rigid vehicles over 7.5 tonnes or obtain a CE licence later should consider going straight for the C licence. A C1 licence does not qualify you for the CE licence: you would first need to obtain a full C licence before applying for this extension.
- Urban delivery or driving heavy commercial vehicles under 7.5 t: a C1 licence is sufficient
- Driving rigid vehicles over 7.5 t (tipper, tanker, flatbed): a C licence is required
- Progressing to articulated vehicle combinations (semi-trailers): the only route is to obtain a C licence followed by a CE licence
In all cases, FIMO initial training or a professional qualification as a truck driver is still required before starting work. The licence determines the vehicle size; the qualification determines access to employment: plan for both together, not one after the other.
