Travel
B96 and trailers abroad: is Italian code 96 recognised?
Code 96 is harmonised in the EU, but check local rules, documents and vehicle limits before travelling.
Harmonised code 96 identifies on an Italian category B licence the entitlement to drive an EU combination over 3,500 kg and up to 4,250 kg, with a trailer over 750 kg. Before travelling abroad, also check the licence's validity, destination rules, road regulations and the combination's technical limits. The code does not replace checking the car and trailer.
What code 96 means
In the European system, code 96 is associated with category B and a trailer whose maximum authorised mass exceeds 750 kg when the combination's maximum authorised mass is over 3,500 kg but no more than 4,250 kg. In Italy it is obtained by passing the specific extension test. Check that the code is actually recorded on your licence and that the combination falls within the range, using the masses in the documents.
Recognition of a harmonised code does not make every travel condition identical in every country. You must follow the vehicle's technical limits and local rules on speed, lights, equipment and trailer circulation, along with insurance and document requirements. If your route includes countries outside the EU, check recognition of the licence and entitlement separately.
Check each country and the combination before departure
Before setting off, consult official guidance from the destination and transit countries or ask the competent authority. Carry the car, trailer and licence documents and confirm that the tow bar, masses and load are compliant. Code 96 does not increase the car's towing mass or permit exceeding the combination's maximum authorised mass.
For a route crossing several borders, check each country rather than generalising from an earlier trip. Even if the driver's entitlement is harmonised, road signs, equipment and local rules can differ. If the code or mass is not clear on the documents, resolve the issue before hitching up, not at the border.
Quiz Patente Ufficiale helps you review Italian licence and towing theory; before driving abroad, check local requirements and documents with the competent authorities.
Frequently asked questions
Is code 96 a separate licence from category B?
It is a harmonised code recorded with category B after the specific test; it identifies the entitlement for combinations in its mass range.
Can I use code 96 in a country outside the EU?
Do not assume recognition. Check official rules for your destination and transit countries before travelling.