"Can I Drive That?": GVW + Passengers + Use

The practical test settles most licensing questions: match three things against your category —

the vehicle's GVW (its loaded-weight ceiling),
its passenger capacity, and
its use — private vs commercial vs passenger service.

Any one of the three exceeding your category is a no, even if the other two fit. A pickup within 3,500 kg used privately is Category B; the same pickup carrying paying goods commercially can engage C-class and operator-licensing questions. Use alone can move a vehicle out of your category.

Key takeaways

"Can I drive that?" = match GVW, passenger count, and use against your category — any one exceeding it is a no
The same vehicle can change category by use: a pickup within 3,500 kg is B privately, but paid commercial work can engage C-class and operator questions

Quick check

A Category B holder is offered a driving job in a 14-seat matatu. Can they legally take it?

A) Yes — B covers any vehicle they can physically drive

B) Yes, if the matatu's GVW is under 3,500 kg

C) Only for private, non-paying trips

D) No — B is capped at 7 passengers; a 14-seat PSV needs the appropriate Category D class (typically D2), with its own training, testing, and experience gates