licensing help!

[sophia9187]

Hi everyone,

We have been converting our LDV Convoy into a camper van but are now confused about our driving licenses!

Firstly, if I was to buy a normal camper or motorhome would I have to change my license to allow me to drive it?

Secondly, the original Maximum Authorised Weight of our mini bus was 3800 kilograms. With our "B" licenses we are allowed to drive up to a 3500 kg vehicle. If our camper comes in at under this are we allowed to drive it? Or because the MAM is stated on the logbook are we technically not allowed to drive it?

I hope the above post made sense!!

Thank you,

Sophia

 

[Channa]

It sounds like you passed your test after Jan 1 st 1997......

If this is the case, the vehicle requires re plating at 3500 kHz and vosa are the people to speak with to find out what's involved.

Alternative is upgrade your licences

Channa

 

[Kontiki]

If your licence says that you can only drive up to 3.5 ton then that is all you can legally drive, anybody who passed their driving test before 1997 (I think that was the year) has the category C1 which allows you to drive up to 7.5 ton. Driving larger goods vehicles (LGV) on a car driving licence : Directgov - Motoring
Driving tests passed before 1 January 1997 : Directgov - Motoring

You can always have your vehicle plated down to 3.5 ton or take some sort of test to get the category C1.

 

[sophia9187]

Thank you, till now I was unaware of replating!

 

[Nosha]

Apply to VOSA for a VTG 10 (Down plate), the Swansea help line is reasonable, or there's a SVTECH who can do it for you, but it will cost you slightly more - sorry this is a bit rushed but I'm off out - if you need more info come back to me!

 

[AndyC]

The VTG10 form is really for goods vehicles. For downgrades VOSA 'may' ask for evidence that the unladen weight allows sufficient payload at the new lower gross weight. I don't know if VOSA supplies a new weight plate or just a certificate, SVTECH do give you a new plate and certificate. It's the weight shown on the plate that will be checked if you are stopped for a roadside licence or weight check.

You need to send off the V5C and a copy of the new weight certificate to DVLA to get the Revenue Weight reduced to 3500kg. At the same time ask for a change of Body Type to 'motor caravan', you need to send documentary and photographic evidence of the conversion to support this.

First thing to do though is to get the vehicle weighed, then work out if a gross weight of 3500kg is going to be sufficient, remember it will be illegal to operate it at over 3500kg once replated.

AndyC

 

[jammycow]

LDV Convoy 3800

Hi everyone,

We have been converting our LDV Convoy into a camper van but are now confused about our driving licenses!

Firstly, if I was to buy a normal camper or motorhome would I have to change my license to allow me to drive it?

Secondly, the original Maximum Authorised Weight of our mini bus was 3800 kilograms. With our "B" licenses we are allowed to drive up to a 3500 kg vehicle. If our camper comes in at under this are we allowed to drive it? Or because the MAM is stated on the logbook are we technically not allowed to drive it?

I hope the above post made sense!!

Thank you,

Sophia

Sophia,

We have the same problem. When i bought the minibus i was told it was a 3500t, i suspect the guy knew i wouldnt of bought it due to licence restrictions otherwise. I drove it for a year all over the place without knowing i was not allowed to. We are currently re-doing our LDV convoy and will be getting it reclassifed soon, then like you i will have to have the weight downplated to 3500t. Please let me know how you get on and a rough idea how much it costs to down plate and whats involved.

Danielle