I have a 6570kg liberary bus that im kitting out as a camper. can i get it down rated so it can be driven on a normal licence. if so how

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roystonhickey

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6570kg liberary bus
I have a 6570kg liberary bus that im kitting out as a camper. can i get it down rated so it can be driven on a normal licence. if so how
 
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Welcome to Motorhome Fun.

By “normal” licence, I presume you mean a “car” licence without the C1 category. If so, the maximum authorised mass (fully laden, including driver and any passengers) must not exceed 3,500 kg. Have you taken your bus to a weigh-bridge to check the weight. If it is 6,570 kg, as you mention, I would very much doubt that you will end up, after kitting out, at less than 3,500 kg when you are loaded and ready to go.
 
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The problem is that even empty it will weigh more than 3500kg which is the maximum on a car licence. You will need C1 added to your licence which can cost upwards of £1000 for lessons and test. However it opens up the possibilities with driving bigger vehicles

To downrate you need to provide documented evidence of the fully laden weight and unladen weights of the finished motorhome conversion to DVSA and purchase a replacement vin sticker with the new weight for tax

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The basic process, as I understand it, is you take it to a weighbridge and if it is less than 3,500Kg you can, in theory, apply to DVLA to get it down-rated. There is of course a lot of devil in the detail of doing this but it would be worth getting it weighed anyway and you will then have an idea if what you want to do is achievable. In other words, before conversion how much does it weigh now?

I would love a bookshelf in our MH, a library is probably overkill!
 
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roystonhickey said:
I have a 6570kg liberary bus that im kitting out as a camper. can i get it down rated so it can be driven on a normal licence. if so how
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Hi Royston, as this was a library van it will have been plated high to allow for a massive weight of books, so there is a chance that it may down-plate. Downplating is a paperwork V5 exercise with DVLA.
To do this, empty the vehicle and have it weighed on a weighbridge (Google this in your area).
You need it to weigh considerably less than 3500kg (2000-2500 would ideally allow you to add your conversion kit.
If it doesn't weigh significantly less than 2500kg , give this idea up before you start as you will be illegal from day one with the weight of all of the beds/tanks/cooker.......
Good luck
 
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You don't say what the base vehicle is but I don't think it will be possible
 
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ED O'DARAC said:
Hi Royston, as this was a library van it will have been plated high to allow for a massive weight of books, so there is a chance that it may down-plate. Downplating is a paperwork V5 exercise with DVLA.
To do this, empty the vehicle and have it weighed on a weighbridge (Google this in your area).
You need it to weigh considerably less than 3500kg (2000-2500 would ideally allow you to add your conversion kit.
If it doesn't weigh significantly less than 2500kg , give this idea up before you start as you will be illegal from day one with the weight of all of the beds/tanks/cooker.......
Good luck
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The only library busses I have seen in the 6-7000kg range weigh in at 4-5000kg empty, as a big box body based on a 7500kg truck chassis. The post 1996 driving licence is limited to 3500kg although there is talk of an increase for electric powered goods vehicles
 
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As others have said, depends what your ‘normal’ car licence is, when did you pass your test and what other categories you have on your licence. Very unlikely that you’ll get a 6.5 t gvw vehicle below 3.5 t unless you are part of the magic circle👍🏼
 
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If the question is, "can I get it down under 3500kg" the answer would be, I doubt it but a bit more information might help ;)

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Thank you all for your replies (some amusing) the licence problem has been sorted.the problem now is mot ministry or local
 
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The MOT is an interesting one, as the vehicle may be class 4 already rather than class 7 HGV. All motorhomes if changed on the log book are class 4, the same as a car. However anything over 3500kg will need to go to a HGV testing centre, even though it will need a class 4. Few of these testing stations about though as I found out last year when my local garage were instructed they can no longer test above 3500kg. I rang round everywhere locally and eventually rand a local hire firm to ask who they use. They have their own MOT test garage but again can't do the bigger vehicles. The only place within 20 miles were booked up but offered to fit me in at the end of the day after all the commercial HGVs. Sat there 2 1/2 hours waiting, but relieved to have got it done
 
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I'm having to take mine, 5t tag axle to the council not station , some garages can mot the class but it wont go on their ramps being a tag axle
 
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Lenny HB said:
I take mine to a normal MOT garage it's 4500kg.
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So do I. TheBig1, using a phrase from my old job, (and with respect), Name the authority for your remark.

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Very strange but I get the same answer from each MOT station within 20 miles of Christchurch near Bournemouth and have to use a place on an industrial estate in Poole or Adams Morey at Southampton. I queried it with my regular place and with Udrive hire as they know their stuff and can't even do their own despite doing MOTs and having the right equipment and space. Apparently new rules being sent down from VOSA/DVSA. They would need even more equipment and computer systems to carry out over 3500kg. Until they upgrade, they are limited to PLG no PHGV.
 
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TheBig1 said:
Very strange but I get the same answer from each MOT station within 20 miles of Christchurch near Bournemouth and have to use a place on an industrial estate in Poole or Adams Morey at Southampton. I queried it with my regular place and with Udrive hire as they know their stuff and can't even do their own despite doing MOTs and having the right equipment and space. Apparently new rules being sent down from VOSA/DVSA. They would need even more equipment and computer systems to carry out over 3500kg. Until they upgrade, they are limited to PLG no PHGV.
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I will ask my son to make sure I am right. I think I have seen a forty seater bus in his test lane and an ex German fire service 4x4 Merc being tested. I am sure he once told me if it has Motorcaravan on the V5 he can test any size vehicle.
 
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TheBig1 said:
Very strange but I get the same answer from each MOT station within 20 miles of Christchurch near Bournemouth and have to use a place on an industrial estate in Poole or Adams Morey at Southampton. I queried it with my regular place and with Udrive hire as they know their stuff and can't even do their own despite doing MOTs and having the right equipment and space. Apparently new rules being sent down from VOSA/DVSA. They would need even more equipment and computer systems to carry out over 3500kg. Until they upgrade, they are limited to PLG no PHGV.
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Our local commercial garage can't do MOT's over 3500kg even though they deal with big trucks. The reason is they only have an MOT licence for their small lift & not allowed to do then over the pit.
 
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pappajohn said:
That's fine Lenny if they have a lift capable of 4500kg....many only have 3500kg ability.
Only other option is a garage with an MOT pit.
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Thats where I go.

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My place I usually use used to use the pit for big stuff. Maybe this is the answer that the licence only allows the smaller lift? The hire place garage also use a pit but can't MOT HGVs
 
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Friends just got a library bus conversion and weighed it empty with nothing in at all.

4500KG.

They ended up selling it as there was no way they would pass the C1 test.

To downrate you will have to prove it has a usable payload, normally that means 3000KG empty.
 
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Try asking your local bus/coach company where they get there's done.

I've seen a few strange vehicles on my last employers MOT pit.
 
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TheBig1 said:
Very strange but I get the same answer from each MOT station within 20 miles of Christchurch near Bournemouth and have to use a place on an industrial estate in Poole or Adams Morey at Southampton. I queried it with my regular place and with Udrive hire as they know their stuff and can't even do their own despite doing MOTs and having the right equipment and space. Apparently new rules being sent down from VOSA/DVSA. They would need even more equipment and computer systems to carry out over 3500kg. Until they upgrade, they are limited to PLG no PHGV.
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DLH near three legged cross have done my last two mot's have you tried them?
 
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