Ukraine simplifies obtaining truck driving licenses with trailers
In Ukraine, there is a simplified procedure for obtaining Category CE driving licenses, which allow driving trucks with heavy trailers and semi-trailers. Drivers are no longer required to confirm one year of experience driving a Category C truck, but mandatory training and a practical exam remain.
The relevant changes were approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in September 2025. The specifics of their application were explained by the Main Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
The simplified procedure applies to drivers who already have a Category C license and want to obtain the right to drive truck combinations.
Previously, to open Category CE, it was necessary to have at least one year of driving experience with Category C vehicles. During the period of martial law, this requirement was abolished.
What requirements apply to drivers
To obtain Category CE under the simplified procedure, a driver must meet several conditions:
- be at least 19 years old;
- hold a valid Category C driving license;
- undergo retraining at an accredited driving school;
- successfully pass a practical exam at a territorial service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
At the same time, there is no need to retake the theoretical exam, since the driver already has an open Category C.
Thus, the simplification does not cancel the testing of skills in driving a truck with a trailer. It allows obtaining an additional category without the mandatory one-year waiting.
What are the differences between BE, C1E, and CE categories
Ukrainian legislation provides several separate categories of driving licenses for vehicles with trailers.
- BE — combinations of vehicles with a Category B tractor, for which a regular Category B license is not sufficient.
- C1E — Category C1 trucks with corresponding trailers. Category C1 covers vehicles with a permissible maximum mass of more than 3.5 t but not more than 7.5 t.
- CE — Category C trucks with trailers or semi-trailers with a permissible maximum mass of more than 750 kg.
It is important to note that the simplified procedure, which eliminates the one-year experience requirement, was introduced specifically for Category CE.
For obtaining Category C1E, according to the clarification of the service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs dated January 6, 2026, it is still necessary to have an open Category C1 for at least one year. Training and a practical exam are also required.
Why the requirements were changed
The Ministry of Economy explained the simplification by the need to provide the transport industry with a sufficient number of qualified drivers.
Trucks with trailers are used in international and domestic transport, delivery of industrial goods, agricultural products, construction materials, and other cargo.
The abolition of the one-year experience requirement allows training drivers for such transport faster. At the same time, mandatory retraining and a practical exam should ensure testing of safe truck combination driving skills.
In July 2026, the government also changed the validity periods of driving licenses. Under the new rules, the right to drive vehicles of categories A1, A, B1, B, and BE is granted for 15 years, and categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE, and T for 5 years. For drivers obtaining the right to drive for the first time, a two-year period is provided.
Based on materials from: Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Main Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
