What licence do I need to drive a MH over 3500kg? Confused?

[colyboy]

On my last thread (very worried) I stated I had just had my MH weighed and it seems it was over weight!

I am over 70 and have taken my medical. On my last MH I had it up rated to 3850kg. And have been driving on my licence which has several categories. As per the attached photo of my licence.

AM A B1 B BE fklnpq

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

You need at least a C1 to drive a MH over 3500 kgs
You can check what you can drive on line at DVLA website ,just input your licence number and National insurance number.

View or share your driving licence information

Find out what information DVLA holds about your driving licence or create a check code to share your driving record, for example to hire a car

www.gov.uk

I hadn't seen your other thread but on checking it it I assume your van is classed as being under 3500 kgs your licence is ok to cover that. You just need to get your weight down to under 3500 to avoid a fine if you are pulled up and weighed or have a serious accident and you may have insurance issues.
If you did have a C1 and you were driving an overweight 3500 kg van ,I don't believe you are covered because it's the van that's overweight and nothing to do with your licence .

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

AM...moped
A ...motorbike.
B1...light vehicle quad bike.
B...
2 categories

If test passed before 1st Jan 1997 allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8250 kg

If test passed after Jan 1st 1997
You can drive vehicles up to 3500 kg

BE ...you can drive a vehicle with a NAM of 3500 kg with a trailer.

For a C1 you can drive a vehicle between 3500 and 7500 kg .
You need the C1 for a MH that's has a MAM over over 3500 kgs ,I don't think yours has ,it's just overweight.

 

[Two on Tour]

Why were you driving your last motorhome plated at 3850kg as you have no C1 on your driving license ?

 

[jonsea]

AM...moped
A ...motorbike.
B1...light vehicle quad bike.
B...
2 categories

If test passed before 1st Jan 1997 allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8250 kg

If test passed after Jan 1st 1997
You can drive vehicles up to 3500 kg

BE ...you can drive a vehicle with a NAM of 3500 kg with a trailer.

For a C1 you can drive a vehicle between 3500 and 7500 kg .
You need the C1 for a MH that's has a MAM over over 3500 kgs ,I don't think yours has ,it's just overweight.

Looks like you should not be driving over 3.5 kg

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[rb62]

I take it this is your licence that has ended up on another thread,unfortunatly you do not have C1 on it so cannot drive anything over 3500Kg

 

[Millie 'n us]

If you had it up plated you should easily be able for to downplays it back to 3.500 so your licence will be fine. You’ll just have less payload.

 

[Clarky]

You need to apply for a C1 addition to your license pronto or get the van under 3500kg.

Richard.

 

[Two on Tour]

I take it this is your licence that has ended up on another thread,unfortunatly you do not have C1 on it so cannot drive anything over 3500Kg

View attachment 556556

But has been driving a motothome plated at 3850kg as he said in his OP.

 

[mikebeaches]

I take it this is your licence that has ended up on another thread,unfortunatly you do not have C1 on it so cannot drive anything over 3500Kg

View attachment 556556

The categories in the image on that licence are identical to my new licence.

Having just turned 70, I decided to relinquish my C1 entitlement to drive heavier vehicles... for now.

Although unlikely, I may apply to have it re-instated at a later date. Current van is plated at 3,500kg.

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[Hoovie]

Sounds to me there is some confusion between what a van weighs and what a van is rated at and when a licence to drive a heavier van applies?

If a van is RATED at 3500kg or less, you can drive it on a car (B) licence. It does not matter what it actually weighs
If a van is RATED at over 3500kg, you need a C1 (or C) licence. Again, it DOES NOT MATTER WHAT IT ACTUALLY WEIGHS.
You could have van that actually weighs 3200kg, but you need a C1 license if it is rated at say 3700kg, even though another van may be more, actually weighing 3400kg, and can be driven on a standard B license because it is rated at 3500kg

The inference of the first post to me was not the current van is rated above 3500kg, but that it is overweight and over 3500kg. In which case the offence is not having the wrong license, but having an overweight vehicle.

If you have a C1 on you license, one possible remedy is to get the van uprated, as it stands (and if I understand first post correctly), the license question is not important, the overloaded van is the issue.

 

[Hoovie]

The categories in the image on that licence are identical to my new licence.

Having just turned 70, I decided to relinquish my C1 entitlement to drive heavier vehicles... for now.

Although unlikely, I may apply to have it re-instated at a later date. Current van is plated at 3,500kg.

Are you aware that if you relinquish C1 and then later get it back the rules to retain are different? e.g. a medical and renewal on an annual basis after 70, not every 3 years?

 

[Emmit]

Sounds to me there is some confusion between what a van weighs and what a van is rated at and when a licence to drive a heavier van applies?

If a van is RATED at 3500kg or less, you can drive it on a car (B) licence. It does not matter what it actually weighs
If a van is RATED at over 3500kg, you need a C1 (or C) licence. Again, it DOES NOT MATTER WHAT IT ACTUALLY WEIGHS.
You could have van that actually weighs 3200kg, but you need a C1 license if it is rated at say 3700kg, even though another van may be more, actually weighing 3400kg, and can be driven on a standard B license because it is rated at 3500kg

The inference of the first post to me was not the current van is rated above 3500kg, but that it is overweight and over 3500kg. In which case the offence is not having the wrong license, but having an overweight vehicle.

If you have a C1 on you license, one possible remedy is to get the van uprated, as it stands (and if I understand first post correctly), the license question is not important, the overloaded van is the issue.

Hoovie

In your post (1st one above) you stated;
"If a van is RATED at 3500kg or less, you can drive it on a car (B) licence. It does not matter what it actually weighs"

This statement is wrong, flawed, and incorrect.

If the van has a MAM of 3500kgs, that is the maximum that the vehicle can weigh. Taking your statement at face value, you are stating that the vehicle can be ANY weight (including being over 3500Kgs).

 

[Emmit]

Are you aware that if you relinquish C1 and then later get it back the rules to retain are different? e.g. a medical and renewal on an annual basis after 70, not every 3 years?

????

When was this introduced?
I know of certainly one Funster who applied retrospectively to get his C1 back after relinquishing at 70yrs and it wasn't demanded that he reapply every year.

 

[Pausim]

What is the Revenue weight on the V5C for your present motorhome? This is what matters most because this is what the Police use when checking whether you have the right license. The Revenue weight should match the plate on the vehicle but vehicles can have more than one plate, I already have 3 plates and the motorhome is only 2 years old.

If the Revenue weight is 3500kg or below your license is ok but you would be guilty of overloading if you go over the limit. Overloading is bad but being unlicensed is really serious and also affects your insurance.

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[Pausim]

Are you aware that if you relinquish C1 and then later get it back the rules to retain are different? e.g. a medical and renewal on an annual basis after 70, not every 3 years?

I thought the 1 year renewal was for people with medical conditions that are ok now but might deteriorate.

 

[Emmit]

colyboy

After looking at the example of the driving licence (above) and , assuming that this is your licence, it occurs to me that sometime
in the past, probably at the time when you have reapplied for your licence, someone at the DVLA has omitted to include your C1
category.
We have met in the past and I know that you and I are of a similar age and the licence (above would indicate that you past your
driving test well before 1997 and therefore have 'Grandad rights' .

It is therefore very important that you communicate with DVLA immediately and get them to include C1 on your licence (unless you know of a previous incident where, for some reason, an authority has removed that category.)

EDIT.

I have just reread your OP and it states that you are over 70yrs. Is that licence above yours?
And, if it is yours, did you 'jump through the hoops' on attaining 70yrs to keep C1 on your licence.?

 

[Minxy]

On my last thread (very worried) I stated I had just had my MH weighed and it seems it was over weight!

I am over 70 and have taken my medical. On my last MH I had it up rated to 3850kg. And have been driving on my licence which has several categories. As per the attached photo of my licence.

AM A B1 B BE fklnpq

I assume you mean this thread: https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/weight-confused.252542/

You don't have a licence to drive over 3500kg but that's not the issue here as your MH is registered at 3500kg max so it needs to lose weight, assuming it was in full 'holiday trim' then you're only 20kg over so I don't think it would be difficult to lose that small amount ... you'll need to decide what you will miss less!

 

[Eggs]

Sounds to me there is some confusion between what a van weighs and what a van is rated at and when a licence to drive a heavier van applies?

If a van is RATED at 3500kg or less, you can drive it on a car (B) licence. It does not matter what it actually weighs
If a van is RATED at over 3500kg, you need a C1 (or C) licence. Again, it DOES NOT MATTER WHAT IT ACTUALLY WEIGHS.
You could have van that actually weighs 3200kg, but you need a C1 license if it is rated at say 3700kg, even though another van may be more, actually weighing 3400kg, and can be driven on a standard B license because it is rated at 3500kg

The inference of the first post to me was not the current van is rated above 3500kg, but that it is overweight and over 3500kg. In which case the offence is not having the wrong license, but having an overweight vehicle.

If you have a C1 on you license, one possible remedy is to get the van uprated, as it stands (and if I understand first post correctly), the license question is not important, the overloaded van is the issue.

Can you explain the part where you say, "it does not matter what it actually weighs"?

 

[L' Hobo]

Are you aware that if you relinquish C1 and then later get it back the rules to retain are different? e.g. a medical and renewal on an annual basis after 70, not every 3 years?

Having no current medical problems except old age, I was led to believe that after I turned 70yrs old,
IF I wanted to retain my C1 ONLY, I would need a medical every THREE YEARS but
IF I wished to keep my full PSV & HGV, I would need a medical EVERY YEAR?

Why should this change if I want my licence entitlements back?

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[The Dotties]

????

When was this introduced?
I know of certainly one Funster who applied retrospectively to get his C1 back after relinquishing at 70yrs and it wasn't demanded that he reapply every year.

It is C+E that requires Medical and renewal yearly. This is for LGVs. (The new name for HGV) also needed for PSV .
C1 is, as you said three yearly

 

[Pausim]

It is C+E that requires Medical and renewal yearly. This is for LGVs. (The new name for HGV) also needed for PSV .
C1 is, as you said three yearly

Motorhomes above 3500kg are PHGV and need a C1 license, or C1E if you want to tow. My C1E renewal is 3 yearly.

 

[pj650]

It is C+E that requires Medical and renewal yearly. This is for LGVs. (The new name for HGV) also needed for PSV .
C1 is, as you said three yearly

Absolutely correct

 

[mikebeaches]

Are you aware that if you relinquish C1 and then later get it back the rules to retain are different? e.g. a medical and renewal on an annual basis after 70, not every 3 years?

That is news to me, if your information is correct? Do you know where I could evidence that fact?

Whilst worth knowing, it's not really a big concern.

The main reason I chose to relinquish my C1 entitlement was largely administrative, and not medical.

From experience amongst this community, it is evident Funsters trying to renew a 70+ licence maintaining C1 entitlement, have frequently waited many months to obtain the new document, due to the pandemic and ongoing industrial action at DVLA. Not having a specific need for C1 at the moment, but requiring a current valid licence to travel abroad, I chose the easy option of renewing online and receiving it back in little over a week.

 

[L' Hobo]

This is for LGVs. (The new name for HGV) also needed for PSV .

When did this happen? LGV used to mean LIGHT goods vehicle (under 3'5 tons) and the new PSV is called PCV Passenger CARRYING vehicle?

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[Bucket]

your MH is registered at 3500kg max so it needs to lose weight, assuming it was in full 'holiday trim' then you're only 20kg over so I don't think it would be difficult to lose that small amount ... you'll need to decide what you will miss less!

Easy, that noisy object in the passenger seat. Then you will have payload for more beer
Only joking of course, I would rather give up the beer than my co-pilot and bed warmer

 

[Spriddler]

Hoovie

In your post (1st one above) you stated;
"If a van is RATED at 3500kg or less, you can drive it on a car (B) licence. It does not matter what it actually weighs"

This statement is wrong, flawed, and incorrect.

If the van has a MAM of 3500kgs, that is the maximum that the vehicle can weigh. Taking your statement at face value, you are stating that the vehicle can be ANY weight (including being over 3500Kgs).

I understood the point that Hoovie was making to be that if it's RATED at 3500kg it doesn't matter what it weighs (over or under) with respect to the licence category but, quote: '[if it's over the rated weight] the offence is not having the wrong license, but having an overweight vehicle'.

 

[rb62]

I understood the point that Hoovie was making to be that if it's RATED at 3500kg it doesn't matter what it weighs (over or under) with respect to the licence category but, quote: '[if it's over the rated weight] the offence is not having the wrong license, but having an overweight vehicle'.

You can also be fined for not having the correct licence!

 

[Hoovie]

That is news to me, if your information is correct? Do you know where I could evidence that fact?

Whilst worth knowing, it's not really a big concern.

The main reason I chose to relinquish my C1 entitlement was largely administrative, and not medical.

From experience amongst this community, it is evident Funsters trying to renew a 70+ licence maintaining C1 entitlement, have frequently waited many months to obtain the new document, due to the pandemic and ongoing industrial action at DVLA. Not having a specific need for C1 at the moment, but requiring a current valid licence to travel abroad, I chose the easy option of renewing online and receiving it back in little over a week.

This was news to me until fairly recently as well.
Have a look at this .gov website page - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-information-assessing-fitness-to-drive . I include the significant parts in the rest of this post....

The key part is this:
"Drivers who were awarded a Group 1 category B (motor car) licence before 1 January 1997 have additional entitlement to categories C1 (medium-sized lorries, 3.5t to 7.5t) and D1 (minibuses, 9 to 16 seats, not for hire or reward). Drivers with this entitlement retain it only until their licence expires or it is revoked for medical reasons. On subsequent renewal or reapplication, the higher medical standards applicable to Group 2 will apply."

The way that reads to me is that as long as you KEEP your C1 entitlement, you fall under the requirements of Group 1

Group 1​

Licences are normally valid until 70 years of age (the ’til 70 licence) unless restricted to a shorter duration for medical reasons.
There is no upper age limit to licensing, but after 70 renewal is required every 3 years.

But if you have it revoked, or let it expire (through choosing to not submit a medical at age 70 general license renewal), you are then subject to the same more stringent rules as commercial drivers as dictated in Group 2 (my emboldening)

Group 2​

The minimum age for Group 2 entitlement to drive lorries (category C) is 21 and for buses (category D) is 24, unless the driver is undergoing or has passed the Driver Certificate of Competence (CPC) initial qualification which they can do at the age of 21. The Group 2 licensing entitlement is valid for a maximum of five years. Group 2 licences must be renewed every 5 years or at age 45, whichever is the earlier, until the age of 65 when they are renewed annually without an upper age limit. Shorter licences may be issued for medical reasons.


I do have a >3500kg MH, so need my C1. But even if I don't have that heavy MH at the point (not so far ahead ) when I would need to do the medical stuff to keep C1, I think I would still renew "just in case" to avoid having to do an annual renewal if I changed my mind later.

And for younger drivers (or maybe older ones who started driving later in life so took their test post 1996) and took a test to allow them to drive a bigger motorhome, the requirements of Group 2 will always apply (which could well be a surprise for them as they may well have assumed (fairly enough) that they are also part of the "renew at 70" brigade).

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

colyboy ,from your other posts you appear to have a cathago Malibu, rated at 3500 kgs.
If that is the case your licence is ok.
If your van weighs more than 3500 when loaded ,you are overweight and need to lose some. You will then be road legal and fully insured.

If you had a C1 licence this does not cover you for driving an overweight vehicle, even 3520 kgs if your vehicle is rated at 3500..if you up plate to say 3850 kgs ,you will then need a C1 even if the MH is then reweighed to below 3500 kgs

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