Co-drivers Who Don't/Won't/Not Allowed To Drive.... (1 Viewer)

Steveth

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Please think about the emergency situation.

We have just had to return from Spain in those circumstances, arrived yesterday, flying was not an option. I could not drive for long so Dolly did almost all the 1300 miles. Fortunately she loves driving Freddie but what about if you find yourselves in a similar situation?

For those who don't/won't or who are not allowed to drive please reconsider. Driving an unfamiliar vehicle in an emergency, is a very stressful situation, so you know it makes sense to get behind the wheel, just in case.
 

roamingman

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Bit diffacult for us, wife she would like to drive but does not have a full liccence, not sure if she is able to drive motorhome, even with me beside her.

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Lisa

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It certainly does makes sense, even if you do have recovery insurance. We both drive ours, so not an issue for us….
 

pappajohn

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Bit diffacult for us, wife she would like to drive but does not have a full liccence, not sure if she is able to drive motorhome, even with me beside her.
Under 3500kg she is.


Providing insured and L plates are displayed


Only applies to the UK though as all UK drivers must hold a full licence outside the UK.
 

Movinon

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My wife does not drive. So what do you suggest - divorce? I recall this being kicked around a group of motorhomers on a rally elsewhere. The net result, even after some discussion, was that those that could, did, and those that couldn't, didn't. No change there at all.

What you mean is that an accompanying family member who holds the appropriate license should be competent to drive the motorhome if necessary, even if they normally don't. Fair enough if possible but if it's not then attention should be paid to the level of recovery insurance. Aware of the problem, I have the Caravan Club full continental recovery insurance because it includes chauffeured recovery.
 
Jan 22, 2014
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It could work bill I have done it with the business. I had a driver involved in a fatel in Spain a little suzuki van hit him head on. The van was in bedded where the engine was killed him out right. Once all the paper work had been done I arranged for him to be picked up as he couldn't fly as my driver was so shaken up.

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grumps147

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Check your recovery insurance very carefully. Many have a recovery exclusion if there is another suitably licensed driver in the vehicle. They are expected to drive the vehicle home.
 

Jaws

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Woman is not licensed to drive our van, but god forbid we do have a real emergency we do have a contingency plan

Ring up number one son who would fly out and drive the rig home.. We both have each others vans insured for both of us as a just in case thing
 

grasscutter

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Check your recovery insurance very carefully. Many have a recovery exclusion if there is another suitably licensed driver in the vehicle. They are expected to drive the vehicle home.

That is the reason we had my wife taken off the insurance.

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DanielFord

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I was very careful with this, OH doesn't have C1, in fact only has Auto car licence. Our recovery insurance (not sure if I am allowed to say company name so I won't) covers supplying a driver to recover the vehicle if I am incapacitated.
 
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I was very careful with this, OH doesn't have C1, in fact only has Auto car licence. Our recovery insurance (not sure if I am allowed to say company name so I won't) covers supplying a driver to recover the vehicle if I am incapacitated.


Yep! Me too they supply a driver!

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Movinon

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Caravan Club continental cover states "....no qualified or competent driver remaining". Recovery is by club members who have volunteered for this duty. I suspect this will all hinge on their undisclosed definition of "competent", but the use of club members suggests that the definition will be lenient. Removing my wife from the vehicle insurance is, on balance, probably a good idea, but the premium may go up.
 

BreweryDave

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The flip side is.....your insurance and breakdown cover will usually be cheaper to reflect the fact that there is another driver insured and available, to reduce the need for a long recovery of the MH. Food for thought.
 

old-mo

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I dont think a scheme is necessary...

A few xmas`es ago we were in Spain with the RV/Trailer & a Toad.. and had to get home straight away.. We drove home in the toad, as we could not get a flight with 3 seat`s out of Spain anywhere..... we could get one from this airport and one from that etc, which was no good..

When we got back, we had to decide whether to go back/stay or when and if we would get back...

I had about five PM`s from this and RVOC site to say if we need help certain members would fly to Alicante and collect the RV & Trailer and bring it home..

I am sure and know for a fact these were genuine offers and not just keyboard warriors trying to make out to be hero`s... Due to the fact these were sent by PM and no one could or would see who they were...

They were on top of the offers we had on open forum...

So with the caring friendly membership we have today.. I think anyone would be inundated with offers of help if needed.. (y)

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jollyrodger

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Have delivered / recovered boats under same circumstances ,one of the best Hondarribia back to Plymouth great trip across a supprisingly calm Biscay .
 

wingman

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As Grumps 147 and others have said, (and many don't realise) if there's another qualified driver, they are expected to repatriate the vehicle. For that reason, I never put my wife on the insurance in the first place. It means a very slight increase in the premium, but well worth the 'chauffeured service' home. Doesn't have to be a major happening either (like a Heart Attack or Stroke) just a simple tumble with a resultant fractured arm or ankle would cause a big problem.

I don't want to sound unkind, but despite being on my car insurance for years, my wife won't even drive my Kuga "because it's too big!". Christ knows what would happen if I let her loose with the MH :eek: Demolition Derby springs to mind and the handbrake is on the right of the driver's seat!
 

Puddleduck

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I don't want to sound unkind, but despite being on my car insurance for years, my wife won't even drive my Kuga "because it's too big!". Christ knows what would happen if I let her loose with the MH :eek: Demolition Derby springs to mind and the handbrake is on the [you]right[/you] of the driver's seat!

I think you should treat her to a driving day in the motorhome for Christmas. There is a member who teaches HGV driving and does these days - I haven't been on one but am told they are great fun and very educational. I'm trying to get the drake to buy me a day driving HGVs round a test track - daft but I've always wanted to drive a massive truck. Just the once would be enough to cross it off the bucket list.

I'm not sure what difference it makes which side the handbrake is - the motorhome is so different to the car that I just remember it's on the right and that the gear stick is on the dash! By the time you have driven a couple of miles it is all very natural and you wonder why you made so much fuss.

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Oct 5, 2014
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We down-sized, so that I could drive, and more importantly, park . It also means that I can go away with a friend or on my own, a more flexible use of an expensive item.

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Hollyberry

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I thought I was stuck at the Shrewsbury Show couple of years back. I tripped out of one of the show vans, thought my ankle was broken.
Had visions of daughter and SIL having to drive up, me travel back in car with daughter leaving Benni at the mercy of SIL. Thankfully it was just wrenched tendons and I managed to drive a few days later.

It is always a concern, especially when you're alone.
 
Apr 18, 2009
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Check your recovery insurance very carefully. Many have a recovery exclusion if there is another suitably licensed driver in the vehicle. They are expected to drive the vehicle home.


Thanks for that(y), my wife wouldn't drive even if I paid her to have her hair done for the rest of her life, but I have her on the insurance because she has a better history, I will have her off it next time around though:sneaky:
 

wingman

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Yes Puddleduck, I've thought of a course for a pressie, (no seriously) but it would be wasted as she would never use the skills and has no interest in driving the MH.

The handbrake being on the right? I meant I wouldn't be able to reach across and yank it on in time!!! :D

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Apr 29, 2012
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My wife would never drive our RV, but she would give constant advice to any one who would. I suppose ear defenders could be provided.
 
Jan 19, 2012
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+1 for removing partner from insurance unless s/he is ready, willing and able to drive the 'van back from wherever you may wish to take it. Mrs E took ours out a few times, but nothing was ever going to make it a pleasurable experience for her. The more so if it meant driving back from abroad in a potentially distressed emotional state as there would have to have been an emergency for the need to have arisen in the first place. After looking at the travel insurance conditions [we are with Britannia Rescue, which I'd recommend] I removed her from the insurance policy. Worth it for peace of mind I feel.

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