D1 licence vs D licence
Professional passenger-transport licences. D1 allows buses up to 16 seats (plus driver) from age 21. D has no seat limit but requires age 24 (or 21 with intensive CAP). D1 is typical for school minibuses and short routes; D is for line buses.
| Feature | D1D1 License - Minibus | DD License - Bus |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 21 years | 24 years |
| Authorised vehicles | Minibuses up to 16 passengers and 8 meters. | Buses and coaches for more than 8 passengers. |
| Exam questions | 20 | 20 |
| Exam time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Max errors | 2 | 2 |
| Options per question | 3 | 3 |
D1 License - Minibus
Vehicles for up to 16 passengers besides the driver.
See syllabus & testD License - Bus
Vehicles for more than 8 passengers besides the driver.
See syllabus & testFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between the D1 and D licences?
Professional passenger-transport licences. D1 allows buses up to 16 seats (plus driver) from age 21. D has no seat limit but requires age 24 (or 21 with intensive CAP). D1 is typical for school minibuses and short routes; D is for line buses.
What is the minimum age for each?
D1 licence: age 21. D licence: age 24.
How is the DGT theory exam in each case?
D1: 20 questions, 20 minutes, max 2 errors. D: 20 questions, 20 minutes, max 2 errors.
What vehicles can I drive with each licence?
D1: Minibuses up to 16 passengers and 8 meters. D: Buses and coaches for more than 8 passengers.
Which one should I get first?
If by age you can only access the D1 (minimum age 21), start there and consider stepping up to the D when you reach 24. If you already have the age for both, going straight to the D is usually more cost-effective (one training, one exam, one fee) — the D1 loses relative value if the D covers every vehicle you're interested in.
Can I step up from D1 to D without sitting a new full exam?
It depends on the category. Some permit pairs allow experience-based promotion with a simplified test (e.g. A1 → A2 after 2 years, or A2 → A after 2 years, with a short course and the specific tasa 2.3 fee of €28.87). Others, such as B → C or C → C+E, require full training and a specific exam even if you already hold the lower one. Check with your driving school or your Provincial Traffic Authority before enrolling.
How much time difference is there between passing one and the other?
Getting either takes 2 to 6 months if you study consistently and book sittings without delays. If you already hold the D1 and step up to the D by experience (when the promotion path is available), the time drops to 4–8 weeks. Going directly to both at separate moments adds the time of each: the wait for official DGT sittings is the longest factor, not training itself.
Practice the test for whichever licence you pick
Free DGT 2026 test with exam-style questions for both licences. No signup.