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Post by GeorgeTelford on Aug 13, 2006 13:53:01 GMT
Hi
I just noticed this comment
I am of the opinion that if you want to drive anything above 3.5t you need a C1 and if you want to go over 7.5t you need a C licence.
This is patently not true, many vehicles are not weight restricted, take a minibus for example this can be driven by anyone with a car licence, if you check out a the definition of a minibus with Marsham construction and use dept they will tell you that a minibus can be any size up to 44 Tonnes as long as it as the required axles, according to Marsham motorhomes are likewise not weight restricted.
I agree totally with Jonathon that training in large vehicles is advisable, were we differ is that Jonathon claims its the law already, as indicated by the above statement.
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Post by Jonathan Smith on Sept 5, 2006 8:00:33 GMT
If you passed your test prior to 1997 then there are lots of grey areas.
Anyone who passed a test from 1997 onwards are weight restricted.
B = 3.5 tonne upto 8 passenger seats, they can drive 16 seats when certain conditions apply and one of those conditions is weight restricted to 3.5 tonne (4.25 tonne when vehicle fitted with wheel chair lift).
So a D or C licence or D1 or C1 licence must be obtained via a DSA driving test in the required category.
The regulations regarding the testing of drivers is about to change for these vehicles also. To obtain a D1 licence for example from July next year the test vehicle must meet weight and size requirements. At the moment you can use a SWB 10 seat transit for a D1 test next year you will need a passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) with 9 - 16 passenger seats with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of at least four tonnes, of at least five metres in length and capable of 80 km/h (50 mph).
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Post by GeorgeTelford on Sept 6, 2006 11:19:45 GMT
Hi Jonathon
I agree that with pre 97 it is a lot easier to justify the fact that Motorhomes are not weight restricted, however they have not actually weight restricted any new vehicles post 97 so if it was'nt weight restricted before and it still isnt afterwards ?? ie ring Marsham construction and use they will tell you that like minibuses they can be any weight up to 44 Tonnes (with the right number of axles)
post 97 minibuses are not weight restricted and 16 tonnes can be driven without a C licence, this is still absolutely clear and there is still nothing in law that makes a motorhome ilegal to drive based on weight (other than DVLA opinion which fortunately will not stand up in a court)
Glad to see you are "with me" on pre 97 at least... Post 97 is always going to be a bit harder to Justify, but its not been made clearly ilegal
George
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Post by Jonathan Smith on Sept 8, 2006 2:23:09 GMT
George I didnt say minibuses are weight restricted I said the entitlement to drive them on a B licence is!
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Post by GeorgeTelford on Sept 14, 2006 11:17:22 GMT
Hi Jonathon
yes but that was only sneaked in post 97
They still have not altered the good vehicle provisions though thay are sneakily trying to alter the references in each subsequent RTA (reason? to avoid giving grandfather rights maybe?)
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Post by kennysteam on Sept 22, 2007 12:43:13 GMT
Licences
A question often asked is 'Can I drive a motorhome on my car licence?'
If your motorhome is over 3.5 tonnes MAM but does not exceed 7.5 tonnes you will need to hold a driving licence that includes category C1 entitlement. If you passed your car test before 1.1.97 you will have C1 on your licence. If your licence does not include category C1 you may not drive a motorhome that exceeds 3.5 tonnes. (See new EU proposals on our Archive page)
If your motorhome exceeds 7.5 tonnes you will need a Category C (HGV licence).
A common misapprehension was that, as a motorhome is not a 'goods vehicle', you could drive any size on a standard car licence, this is not the case. The DVLA have confirmed that the licence requirements apply to all vehicles.
Medical/age requirements:
Drivers having passed their test before 1.1.97, who want to keep their category C1 entitlement when they renew their licence, will need to present a D4 medical report form (available from Post Offices), completed by a medical practitioner, with their application.
UK regulations also impose restrictions on the size of motorhome that can be used on the road. Of particular interest to those wanting to use big American motorhomes is that it is illegal to use, or sell, a vehicle that is over 2.55m wide or over 12m in length.
The Directgov website has a useful article on driving licence requirements and size regulations as they relate to motorhomes here.
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Post by kennysteam on Sept 22, 2007 12:44:17 GMT
Licences
A question often asked is 'Can I drive a motorhome on my car licence?'
If your motorhome is over 3.5 tonnes MAM but does not exceed 7.5 tonnes you will need to hold a driving licence that includes category C1 entitlement. If you passed your car test before 1.1.97 you will have C1 on your licence. If your licence does not include category C1 you may not drive a motorhome that exceeds 3.5 tonnes. (See new EU proposals on our Archive page)
If your motorhome exceeds 7.5 tonnes you will need a Category C (HGV licence).
A common misapprehension was that, as a motorhome is not a 'goods vehicle', you could drive any size on a standard car licence, this is not the case. The DVLA have confirmed that the licence requirements apply to all vehicles.
Medical/age requirements:
Drivers having passed their test before 1.1.97, who want to keep their category C1 entitlement when they renew their licence, will need to present a D4 medical report form (available from Post Offices), completed by a medical practitioner, with their application.
UK regulations also impose restrictions on the size of motorhome that can be used on the road. Of particular interest to those wanting to use big American motorhomes is that it is illegal to use, or sell, a vehicle that is over 2.55m wide or over 12m in length.
The Directgov website has a useful article on driving licence requirements and size regulations as they relate to motorhomes here.
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RFTH
New Member
Posts: 1
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Post by RFTH on Oct 15, 2009 22:05:16 GMT
Hi guys (& gals). Just joined this board and think that after reading all the numerous posts re licences that I've just about got my head around the topic, but can someone confirm that I've got it right.
I'm 54 and gained my car licence in 1973. This entitles me to drive up to 7.5T gross weight and I have done all over the UK & Europe. Am I right in thinking that I can't legally drive a motorhome coach on this?
If that's the case then I'll probably look to converting a 7.5T truck as I'm a little too long in the tooth to start thinking about taking another driving test.
RFTH (Dave)
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Post by derwent on Jul 13, 2010 10:25:29 GMT
Things are a bit different over there than they are here in Australia...
Here you have a car licence that covers 4.5 tonne GVM and 12 seats, Light Rigid which covers u pto 7.5 tonne IIRC, then Medium Rigid which covers any two axle rigid vehicle, then there is Heavy Rigid which covers any rigid vehicle or articulated bus, then Heavy Combination which is articulated trucks and trailers over 9 tonne GVM, then Multiple Combination which covers B-Doubles and Road Trains (anything with more thanone trailer).
Seperate Public Passenger Vehicle certificate for driving a bus with paying passengers.
Here we can have 2.5 metres wide excluding mirrors, 12.5 metres long with 2 axle or 14.5 metres long with a 3 axle bus.
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