Dft licensing consultation - including adding C1 automatically to category B

[treeker]

Just noticed this dated 5 August, and cannot see it anywhere on these forums:

Driving licensing call for evidence

www.gov.uk

In particular see https://www.gov.uk/government/consu...idence#c1-75-tonnes-goods-vehicle-entitlement "To grant those drivers who have a car (category B) licence entitlement additional entitlement to an HGV (category C1) licence."

Buried well down it says: "If C1 entitlement were to be granted with a category B licence, this may be used for leisure use"

The objective of this exercise seems to be to ease the way to get more commercial drivers. But if it means that Category B adds a C1 as back in days of old, that can only be a good thing (e.g. enables upplating from 3.5T with confidence to get a higher payload so avoiding inadvertent overloading, and there are many other reasons).

Well worth taking the time to respond to the "call for evidence", Begins on 5 August 2022 and will run until 28 October 2022.

It is staggering the the main reason for failing the current C1 test is because candidates can't reverse left! Surely not the case with experienced MoHo drivers?!

Check out the questions: https://www.gov.uk/government/consu...ex-b-full-list-of-call-for-evidence-questions. I won't try to suggest the obvious answers, although I would just say that the upper age limit should be surely be same as for B category licences.....i.e. none.

Hopefully, when this happens (if it ever does) it might get the DVLA (and the Medical Dept fnnctionaries off our backs. Will give them more time to watch Neflix while "working from home".

 

[Phill D]

If I put my negative head on!

If this was to happen then I would guess that dvla will want anyone 70 and over on license renewal to submit a D4 medical assessment.
Can’t see them doing away with it.

 

[63720]

I know several who can't reverse a car left, let alone a truck that bends in the middle

 

[Lofty1]

Please no, if they give me my class 1 back without a medical Swmbo will make me go to work again.

 

[Stealaway]

I thought it was to let the younger generation drive over 3.5 tonne delivery vans or even ambulances.
I'm not sure they will allow the C1 to be up to 7.5 tonnes again

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[ceejayt]

When we were in our motorhome in America IU was staggered to see the 80 plus year olds still driving HUGE rigs on sites. Don't think they have any restriction on age and driving?

 

[nicholsong]

When we were in our motorhome in America IU was staggered to see the 80 plus year olds still driving HUGE rigs on sites. Don't think they have any restriction on age and driving?

Or Presidents.

 

[joe and sue]

I know several who can't reverse a car left, let alone a truck that bends in the middle

How many 7.5 tonners bend in the middle ???
The media are making out this change applies to all HGV's inc artics, It is only sub 7.5 ton vehicles, like we were before the EU stuck their noses in !!

 

[cmcardle75]

I know several who can't reverse a car left, let alone a truck that bends in the middle

An articulated vehicle would be C1+E.

 

[Guffy60]

And that solves the issue in Europe where they are looking to increase the 3500kg weight to allow those with car licences to drive electric vans which will weigh more empty because of battery weight.

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[Widge]

How many 7.5 tonners bend in the middle ???
The media are making out this change applies to all HGV's inc artics, It is only sub 7.5 ton vehicles, like we were before the EU stuck their noses in !!

C1 allows you to drive a 7.5t with trailer maximum overall weight 12t, so yes some can bend in the middle.

 

[Leltel]

It should go back to pre 1997. People who have taken their test after 1997 had more to do to pass.
Those who drive now are no different to those pre 1997

 

[Widge]

C1 allows you to drive a 7.5t with trailer maximum overall weight 12t, so yes some can bend in the middle.

Sorry my error c1 is only a trailer up to 750kg

 

[cmcardle75]

C1 allows you to drive a 7.5t with trailer maximum overall weight 12t, so yes some can bend in the middle.

That is C1+E. C1 only allows max 750kg trailer.

 

[Widge]

That is C1+E. C1 only allows max 750kg trailer.

Yes have just corrected it myself, but it can still bend in the middle.

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[cmcardle75]

Yes have just corrected it myself, but it can still bend in the middle.

It would have to bend near the rear, if the front must weigh more than 3500kg and the back less than 750kg!

 

[meanders]

Completed

 

[Widge]

It should go back to pre 1997. People who have taken their test after 1997 had more to do to pass.
Those who drive now are no different to those pre 1997

I agree there are just as many people now that haven't a clue how to reverse without having an interior mirror/view, let alone with any sort of trailer/caravan on the back. Probably worse now with all the parking aids available.

 

[Verteuil Man]

How many 7.5 tonners bend in the middle ???
The media are making out this change applies to all HGV's inc artics, It is only sub 7.5 ton vehicles, like we were before the EU stuck their noses in !!

From a thread on the subject of licences a couple of weeks ago, a f7nster highlighted that it was the UK that decided to harmonise the driving licence categories with the then EEC which was 3.5 tonne. It was not a requirement of the EEC.

A bit like Boris with the UK international recognition letters.