4250kgs ?

Saw this a while back on another forum. I think the only hope that this will happen is if we fall into line with Europe who I believe are implementing it. I cant imagine its on the radar in westminster though and a small petition is not likely to have much affect. Its not an issue for me but I support it as it makes sense. Better that than vans running around overweight.
 
barryd said:
Saw this a while back on another forum. I think the only hope that this will happen is if we fall into line with Europe who I believe are implementing it. I cant imagine its on the radar in westminster though and a small petition is not likely to have much affect. Its not an issue for me but I support it as it makes sense. Better that than vans running around overweight.
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It is covered in the Government email which is the official response to the petition which was issued overnight (3am). Follow @Polar Bear ‘s link.
 
barryd said:
Saw this a while back on another forum. I think the only hope that this will happen is if we fall into line with Europe who I believe are implementing it. I cant imagine its on the radar in westminster though and a small petition is not likely to have much affect. Its not an issue for me but I support it as it makes sense. Better that than vans running around overweight.
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But the UK Government [stock] response is, 'Await developments; we will then launch a public consultation ...' - 'Oh look, careful of that long grass, someone's going to throw litter, including the petition into it ....'

Steve
 
barryd said:
Saw this a while back on another forum. I think the only hope that this will happen is if we fall into line with Europe who I believe are implementing it. I cant imagine its on the radar in westminster though and a small petition is not likely to have much affect. Its not an issue for me but I support it as it makes sense. Better that than vans running around overweight.
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It wouldn't alter that as all the existing 3.5t vans would need to re re-plated. Then they would run weighing 4.5t
 
GeoffL said:
I read into that we've got to accept digital licenses (and hence digital ID) before they'll even consider it.
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Not my interpretation, Geoff! The UK Gov response I've seen elsewhere [and @barryd has as well, I believe], says that it is committed to introducing digital Driving Licences, but anything else will require Public Consultation and the long grass ... EU has said it will issue Digital Licences, extend the validity from 10 years to 15 years, class M/Homes as motorcaravans to add clarity, and permit the driving of [all/any] vehicles up to 4250kg 'as some other EU States do ...', in preference to having overweight 3500kg M/Homes on the road. This is part of the EU 4th Directive on Transport [title not correct], and UK has just conceded the digital Driving Licence, but without the extended validity etc, as something of a sop ...

EDIT: Legislation is Fourth Driving Licence Directive (2025/2205/EU). EU proposes revised driving instruction training, removal of Certificate of Professional Competence, confirmation that exemption will be granted from 'Driver's Hours' laws, 7 hours training, but no 'Driving Test', and no need for 'x years driving licence before driving a motorcaravan'

Steve
 
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Fazerloz said:
It wouldn't alter that as all the existing 3.5t vans would need to re re-plated. Then they would run weighing 4.5t
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I don't think its that simple. A 3.5t van might be able to be up plated to 3850kg as a paper exercise because some are currently down plated to sell to none C1 holders but I don't think they can legally go beyond that without physical upgrades. A change in the law to allow none C1 holders to drive 4250kg won't alter that. If you go out and buy a 4250kg van though chances are the payload will be much more than that of a 3500kg or even 3850kg van (same van). Or at least that seems to be the case with more modern vans from around 2014 onwards. The older 4250kg vans didn't seem to have such great payloads either. I think maybe the construction methods changed around that time. Less timber perhaps.

What it would for 3500kg vans is allow more people to drive legally by up plating to 3850kg as a paper exercise without having to pass a C1. Technically the van would be no safer so you could argue that its not unsafe to load some 3500kg vans to 3850kg, its just currently illegal.
 
Pudsey Bear said:
And why would we need training to drive a van we've had for years?
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UK proposing much the same; but as part of a transitional safety arrangement? A cautious approach, especially for new M/Home owners/occasional drivers? And, the cynic in me says that there is a politician somewhere whose brother, sister or in-law equivalent owns a driving school ... There is one of the Blair offspring who established an educational training company as the transfer of schools from local authority control to educational trusts got under way ...

Steve
 
barryd said:
I don't think its that simple. A 3.5t van might be able to be up plated to 3850kg as a paper exercise because some are currently down plated to sell to none C1 holders but I don't think they can legally go beyond that without physical upgrades. A change in the law to allow none C1 holders to drive 4250kg won't alter that. If you go out and buy a 4250kg van though chances are the payload will be much more than that of a 3500kg or even 3850kg van (same van). Or at least that seems to be the case with more modern vans from around 2014 onwards. The older 4250kg vans didn't seem to have such great payloads either. I think maybe the construction methods changed around that time. Less timber perhaps.

What it would for 3500kg vans is allow more people to drive legally by up plating to 3850kg as a paper exercise without having to pass a C1. Technically the van would be no safer so you could argue that its not unsafe to load some 3500kg vans to 3850kg, its just currently illegal.
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Correct, (IMHO) my Hymer was plated at 3400 when it left the factory, 3400 was critical in Europe because 3400 was cheaper to run than 3500, built on the standard fiat chassis, I upgraded mine as a paper exercise to 3700, I was told if I fitted 16" wheels with the proper rated tyres I could have gone to 3850, I didn't need that, to go to 4200 you have to fit the bigger brakes and hubs and wheels as fitted to the Maxi.
Very strange when you are allowed to drive a 3500 but when it is upgraded with better suspension and brakes which make it safer you cannot drive it.
If it needed common sense they wouldn't let politicians make the decision
 
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