To drive certain types of vehicles, you are required to have a professional driving permit in addition to your driving licence. A professional driving permit is required if you drive any of the following:

• A goods vehicle weighing over 3 500 kg • A breakdown vehicle • A bus • A minibus weighing more than 3 500 kg and which is designed to carry 12 or more people, including the driver

• A vehicle used to transport people for payment • A goods vehicle carrying dangerous goods, which weighs more than 3 500 kg • A road tank vehicle for petroleum-based flammable liquids • A motor vehicle conveying 12 or more people, including the driver A professional driving permit is not required to drive a hearse or a tractor. You can only get a professional driving permit if you:

• have a valid driving licence for the type of vehicle in question; • are over the required age limit (this depends on the type of vehicle in question); • have been certified as medically fit by a doctor; • have been certified by an approved training body (only required for certain types of vehicle) ;

• have not been convicted of driving under the influence, of reckless or negligent driving or of a violent offence; and

• have never had your driving licence suspended.

You must apply at a driving licence testing centre for a professional driving permit and you will need to do the following: • Complete form PD1 • Pay the required fee • Produce your ID document • Provide two photographs of yourself • Produce your driving licence • Produce your training certificate (if applicable) • Produce your medical certificate • Produce any other professional driving permit or public driving permit that you already hold

• Have your fingerprints taken

Once the application has been processed, a credit-card-format driving licence showing the professional driving permit will be ordered. You need to produce your ID document when you collect the licence card. Licences not collected within 120 days are destroyed. Your professional driving permit may be suspended or cancelled if you become medically unfit or if you are convicted of driving under the influence, of reckless or negligent driving, or of a violent offence.