When driving abroad, 3.5 tons is the limit for vehicles in built up areas etc. Whereas here it is 7.5 tons. Combine that with the change from 1997, meaning that from then, passing your test meant nothing over 3.5 tons, is it reasonable to assume that this was due to EU standardisation? So that we could now, if we wished, revert to pre 1997 status. Meaning that motor homes built for the UK market would be free from the hugely restrictive 3.5 ton limit! Happy to be corrected if I've got this wrong...
Is this a Brexit benefit?
- Thread starter ericonabike
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- May 23, 2013
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Nope nothing to do with the EU.
The UK driving licence categories were changed in 1997 as the UK driving licence categories are based on the International Driving Permit (IDP) standards, which are set by the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic. The IDP standards apply to many countries around the world, not just the EU. The UK has been a signatory of this convention since 1968, well before joining the EU.
The change in 1997 was a result of updating the UK driving licence categories to align with the IDP standards, which had been revised in 1968 and 1977. The change also aimed to improve road safety by introducing stricter requirements for drivers of larger vehicles.
The category B licence, which allows drivers to drive cars and light vans up to 3.5 tonnes, was introduced in 1988, replacing the old category A licence that had no weight limit. The category C1 licence, which allows drivers to drive vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, was introduced in 1997, replacing the old category C licence that had no lower weight limit.
Therefore, it is not reasonable to assume that the UK could revert to pre-1997 status after leaving the EU, as this would mean violating the IDP standards and compromising road safety. Motorhomes built for the UK market are subject to the same weight limits as other vehicles, and drivers need to have the appropriate licence category for their vehicle's weight.
But the government is looking at changing the C1 though I understand.
The UK driving licence categories were changed in 1997 as the UK driving licence categories are based on the International Driving Permit (IDP) standards, which are set by the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic. The IDP standards apply to many countries around the world, not just the EU. The UK has been a signatory of this convention since 1968, well before joining the EU.
The change in 1997 was a result of updating the UK driving licence categories to align with the IDP standards, which had been revised in 1968 and 1977. The change also aimed to improve road safety by introducing stricter requirements for drivers of larger vehicles.
The category B licence, which allows drivers to drive cars and light vans up to 3.5 tonnes, was introduced in 1988, replacing the old category A licence that had no weight limit. The category C1 licence, which allows drivers to drive vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, was introduced in 1997, replacing the old category C licence that had no lower weight limit.
Therefore, it is not reasonable to assume that the UK could revert to pre-1997 status after leaving the EU, as this would mean violating the IDP standards and compromising road safety. Motorhomes built for the UK market are subject to the same weight limits as other vehicles, and drivers need to have the appropriate licence category for their vehicle's weight.
But the government is looking at changing the C1 though I understand.
tbf if someone can't pass a C1 maybe they should be questioning their ability to drive any motorhome.
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- Sep 29, 2019
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I hope they change it.
Lucy is hopeless when being tested, some people are. When there is someone sitting there she gets nervous and makes silly mistakes.
She has no issues at all driving our Motorhome which is a paperwork exercise to upgrade. Same vehicle but will then need a C1.
She couldn’t drive with our caravan either but now can with the adding of B+E to all car licences.
The car and caravan was always much harder to drive and reverse than the motorhome so it makes no sense at all.
While I agree safety is paramount and having done C1 and the C1+E test, I can’t see the dropping of C1 requirements making a jot of difference except it will make all our lives easier and I could actually travel with water and bikes instead of one or the other.
Lucy is hopeless when being tested, some people are. When there is someone sitting there she gets nervous and makes silly mistakes.
She has no issues at all driving our Motorhome which is a paperwork exercise to upgrade. Same vehicle but will then need a C1.
She couldn’t drive with our caravan either but now can with the adding of B+E to all car licences.
The car and caravan was always much harder to drive and reverse than the motorhome so it makes no sense at all.
While I agree safety is paramount and having done C1 and the C1+E test, I can’t see the dropping of C1 requirements making a jot of difference except it will make all our lives easier and I could actually travel with water and bikes instead of one or the other.
The problem is not so much the medical requirements, simply the fact that you can drive a vehicle of 3.5 ton but are considered incapable of driving one weighing 3.500000001 tons, purely arbitrary.
I agree that if you can’t pass the C1 medical you shouldn’t drive any motorhome, but that makes the ruling even more contentious.
I agree that if you can’t pass the C1 medical you shouldn’t drive any motorhome, but that makes the ruling even more contentious.
I agree with you here, Imo the separation of the M1 category should be recognised and not just lumped together with the nearest commercial. But I still think that a test should be required to drive anything other than a car. I'm also a big fan of retesting but it wouldn't be a vote winner.
Jim
Ringleader
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I have been saying similar about driving internationally when people keep talking about raising the 'B' category limit to 4250kg.
It needs all 128(?) signatories to agree (some have not ratified)
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It's just abitary nonsense. A 3500kgs PVC is just as much a killing machine as a heavy chassis PVC at 4250kgs yet an inexperieced young driver at the top of the insurance risk pool can drive one!
Hope they do it before July as my 79 anniversary one needs renewing.
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The increased revenue from the extra road fund in the UK may just make it attractive enough though
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The increased revenue from the extra road fund in the UK may just make it attractive enough though
Extra road fund(VED)?
Diesel MHs pay less VED for over 3,500k at £165 than those under.
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Exactly...
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It doesn't require anymore skill to drive a 4250kg motorhome than a 3500kg one. It does however require more skill to drive a 7.5 metre over a 5.9 metre one. This is where the law/categories are non- sensical.
I would draw the line at standard Panel Van, anything with a seperate body should be a different category, espevially Transit type pickup/tippers
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Given the volume of most 3500Kg type "white" vans, I'd be surprised if many of them actually 'always' ran within that limit.
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