When will the Government increase 3500kg licence

[Aspenshaw]

I know consultation was on the go and I expect the Government will be taking their time. For me, I will be 70 next June. My van is plated 3,850kg. I want to allow one of my sons to drive the van but he is limited to 3,500kg.

I don't want to down plate if my son will be able to drive the van without taking a test for C1 licence and I don't have to do the paperwork etc to retain my C1 licence
I will down plate if I have to go through the paper etc for my C1 licence renewal and my son doesn't take his C1 licence.

The worst will be down plating and then finding the licence increases to say 4,000kg.

What do people with a magic ball know what will happen over the next year. Or can guess.

 

[The Wino]

Not sure what trial you refer to Wino.

I am talking about the consultation last year, in which the government asked:

Consultation description
During the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent HGV driver shortage crisis, the government rapidly put 33 actions in place to address these.

Eight of these actions came from expanding the HGV driver testing capacity and improving the licensing process. The licensing improvements were achievable partly due to the fact that we had left the European Union and had the freedom to change our legislation to improve our testing and licensing regime.

We now wish to explore whether there are any further opportunities that could be available to us. These include whether to grant drivers who have category B car licence entitlement additional entitlement to category C1 (7.5 tonnes) goods vehicle entitlement and whether to grant drivers who have a category B licence entitlement to a minibus category D1 licence.

In addition to other ideas on licence categories, there are proposals to raise the standards of HGV instruction and improve pass rates and to permit a person who has held an HGV category C licence for 2 years to drive PCVs for maintenance and repair purposes.

Any changes would need to ensure continued safe use of our roads and be economically proportionate. That is why we want to hear the views of those who help make our driver licensing regime efficient and safe and be guided by the feedback.

This is about whether we can go back to how it was before UK signed up to a foreign political project.

It's the link Pauism has posted. When the license limits changed I'm pretty sure we had a veto we didn't use so it wasn't some evil foreign law we had forced on us we voted for it!

 

[L' Hobo]

Whatever changes appear the House of Lords will block it.

I doubt it, most are over 70 and probably, have M/He's.

 

[DDJC]

It's the link Pauism has posted. When the license limits changed I'm pretty sure we had a veto we didn't use so it wasn't some evil foreign law we had forced on us we voted for it!

I never said there was any compulsion! At that time, the UK government was showing itself to be right behind the European experiment. I reckon at that time, if Brussels had asked us to start driving on the wrong side of the road, we'd have doffed caps and set to it!

The change to driving licence category award in 1997, because they asked John Major to do it in 1995. To be fair, Blair simply progressed it when he took over. However, like so many things that happened at that time, it was not in anyone's election manifesto and no one asked the people if they wanted it. It was a very undemocratic time in UK history, and I do hope that the current administration revert to pre-1997.

 

[pappajohn]

I worry that if the 3500 limit is increased it will only be for electric vehicles so that the payload of white van man isn’t taken up by the battery pack.

Agreed, the new category will be followed by an endorsement code restricting C1 to electric vehicles only just as the grandfather rights C1 has the 107 endorsement restricting the MAM to 8250kg

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[pappajohn]

if Brussels had asked us to start driving on the wrong side of the road, we'd have doffed caps and set to it!

It was suggested many years ago that trucks and busses would drive on the right on Monday, wednesday and Friday.
motor cycles and cars would drive on the right on Tuesday, Thursday and weekends.
This would be time restricted to allow everyone to get used to it before driving on the right became compulsory for all vehicles.

 

[L' Hobo]

It was suggested many years ago that trucks and busses would drive on the right on Monday, wednesday and Friday.
motor cycles and cars would drive on the right on Tuesday, Thursday and weekends.
This would be time restricted to allow everyone to get used to it before driving on the right became compulsory for all vehicles.

When Sweden switched from driving on the left to the right back in the 1980's?, it was done overnight and less accidents were recorded than on a normal day to the surprise of everyone.

 

[The Wino]

When Sweden switched from driving on the left to the right back in the 1980's?, it was done overnight and less accidents were recorded than on a normal day to the surprise of everyone.

It's probably like they recon it makes junctions safer if they take off all the road markings because everyone is paying attention

 

[Bramidan]

Although I have a right hand drive vehicle I do find it easier to drive abroad.
I always thought we should have followed Swedens guide.

 

[L' Hobo]

It's probably like they recon it makes junctions safer if they take off all the road markings because everyone is paying attention

Being the Swedes, they had prepared well, all the infrustructucture was in place and overnight the authorities workmen just move it and remarked the roads.

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[L' Hobo]

Although I have a right hand drive vehicle I do find it easier to drive abroad.
I always thought we should have followed Swedens guide.

It's easier, IMO because the roads are less crowded and a lot of roads & building structure were destroyed during WW2 so when it was rebuilt,the authorities had a blank canvas to bypass & widen junctions etc.
It's hard to believe but lot of what one sees in Western France & Europe is less than 100yrs old.

 

[nicholsong]

Although I have a right hand drive vehicle I do find it easier to drive abroad.
I always thought we should have followed Swedens guide.

The Irish Republic is planning to change in a couple of years, but gradually - the cars in 1st Jan and trucks on 1st April.

 

[stevewagner]

They can vote to block it but the commons can ignore it

 

[mikebeaches]

I thought they had already announced an increase from 3500kg to 4250kg for electric vans. It seems to have taken the form of a 5 year derogation so is not yet permanent.

Gross vehicle weight increased for electric vans

Drivers who hold a standard car licence will now be able to drive a van weighing up to 4.25 tonnes if said van is an alternative fuel vehicle

www.parkers.co.uk

Interesting - thanks for posting, I didn't know about this change.

My eye caught the following and my heart lifted a little:

As well as electric vehicles, the rule applies to range extender, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell, compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vans.

And I thought - ooh, plug-in hybrid - that might work for motorhomes?

But reading further concerning application:

There is a small catch, though, with the derogation also requiring drivers to undergo five hours of officially approved training before they can legally take the keys to an electric van. It also stipulates that the van must be used to transport goods and it only applies within Great Britain (but not Northern Ireland).

So that's not going to be any help to motorhomers.

 

[Grianan]

Interesting - thanks for posting, I didn't know about this change.

My eye caught the following and my heart lifted a little:

As well as electric vehicles, the rule applies to range extender, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell, compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vans.

And I thought - ooh, plug-in hybrid - that might work for motorhomes?

But reading further concerning application:

There is a small catch, though, with the derogation also requiring drivers to undergo five hours of officially approved training before they can legally take the keys to an electric van. It also stipulates that the van must be used to transport goods and it only applies within Great Britain (but not Northern Ireland).

So that's not going to be any help to motorhomers.

My Motorhome is full of goods … good food, good wine, good books …

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[Ianb]

I know consultation was on the go and I expect the Government will be taking their time. For me, I will be 70 next June. My van is plated 3,850kg. I want to allow one of my sons to drive the van but he is limited to 3,500kg.

I don't want to down plate if my son will be able to drive the van without taking a test for C1 licence and I don't have to do the paperwork etc to retain my C1 licence
I will down plate if I have to go through the paper etc for my C1 licence renewal and my son doesn't take his C1 licence.

The worst will be down plating and then finding the licence increases to say 4,000kg.

What do people with a magic ball know what will happen over the next year. Or can guess.

Doesn’t a car driver licence cover upto 7.5t. I was driving a 7.5t at 21 and nobody questioned it.

 

[NigelNovice]

It was an EU stealth tax, brought in with many others like CBT and towing trailers etc neither made you any safer on the road and as for the trailer one most of it was off the road mainly reversing, not usually encountered on the M1 at a cost of £1200 (daughter did it fir horse box) happily implemented by the Welsh EU loving DVLA and their reluctance to change back

 

[mikebeaches]

Doesn’t a car driver licence cover upto 7.5t. I was driving a 7.5t at 21 and nobody questioned it.

Yes, if you are old enough you would have been awarded the equivalent of a C1 licence when you passed your test, which enabled you to drive up to 7.5 tons.

But at age 70, unless you undertake a medical and specifically apply to retain the C1 approval, the driving licence - which has to be renewed in any case at that age - reverts to B class. And that means maximum 3,500kg.

 

[ctc]

It will change as soon as the fourty hospitals are built

 

[Jacasino]

I know consultation was on the go and I expect the Government will be taking their time. For me, I will be 70 next June. My van is plated 3,850kg. I want to allow one of my sons to drive the van but he is limited to 3,500kg.

I don't want to down plate if my son will be able to drive the van without taking a test for C1 licence and I don't have to do the paperwork etc to retain my C1 licence
I will down plate if I have to go through the paper etc for my C1 licence renewal and my son doesn't take his C1 licence.

The worst will be down plating and then finding the licence increases to say 4,000kg.

What do people with a magic ball know what will happen over the next year. Or can guess.

I am 70 next year as well and I am wondering when to start the process of applying for a C1 licence, I keep reading stories of long delays and stress tests etc, luckily I am in good health at the moment but wondering how long it likely to take.

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[TonyEmm]

Can someone not eligible, take an appropriate test to upgrade eligibility?

Yes!

 

[TonyEmm]

I am 70 next year as well and I am wondering when to start the process of applying for a C1 licence, I keep reading stories of long delays and stress tests etc, luckily I am in good health at the moment but wondering how long it likely to take.

IF you already have a C1 entitlement, then renewing it isn’t difficult, provided you’re relatively fit and healthy.

I’ve renewed 3 times already as I’m officially old
I would suggest using https://d4drivers.uk/ They were less than 1/2 the price of the GP and they did the eye test (which my GP wouldn’t do).

You can apply up to 90 days before renewal date but, without any medical issues, my last one (last year) was returned within 7 days. I sent the forms off 1st class recorded, and D4D filled a lot of the forms in for me!

 

[TonyEmm]

I know consultation was on the go and I expect the Government will be taking their time. For me, I will be 70 next June. My van is plated 3,850kg. I want to allow one of my sons to drive the van but he is limited to 3,500kg.

I don't want to down plate if my son will be able to drive the van without taking a test for C1 licence and I don't have to do the paperwork etc to retain my C1 licence
I will down plate if I have to go through the paper etc for my C1 licence renewal and my son doesn't take his C1 licence.

The worst will be down plating and then finding the licence increases to say 4,000kg.

What do people with a magic ball know what will happen over the next year. Or can guess.

TBH, I see no reason why ‘the government’ should be under any pressure to change the C1 requirements…. I don’t believe they’ll be increasing the limit for B1 licence holders, they’ve had enough stick already for abolishing the B+E!

 

[TR5]

I am 70 next year as well and I am wondering when to start the process of applying for a C1 licence, I keep reading stories of long delays and stress tests etc, luckily I am in good health at the moment but wondering how long it likely to take.

Doesn't really matter how long it takes as, providing you are not told by the optician and/or doctor carrying out the medical that you are not fit to drive, you just carry on, while your order for the new license is processed. Do it too early, and if they get their act together and issue it before you are 70, you will lose some time, as the 3 years is in effect from when they process it. Leave it to the last minute, and unless the first sentence applies, you just carry on as normal until it arrives. You may gain a month or two...

 

[Solwaybuggier]

Doesn't really matter how long it takes as, providing you are not told by the optician and/or doctor carrying out the medical that you are not fit to drive, you just carry on, while your order for the new license is processed. Do it too early, and if they get their act together and issue it before you are 70, you will lose some time, as the 3 years is in effect from when they process it. Leave it to the last minute, and unless the first sentence applies, you just carry on as normal until it arrives. You may gain a month or two...

Except you can’t carry on as normal if your normal includes driving outside the UK!

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[BILL 875]

As everything in this country its over complicated and costs you money, I had a Florida drivers lic the and the categories were,
1 motor cycles
2 under 12000lbs
3 over 12000lb ie HGV
That's it.

 

[TonyEmm]

As everything in this country its over complicated and costs you money, I had a Florida drivers lic the and the categories were,
1 motor cycles
2 under 12000lbs
3 over 12000lb ie HGV
That's it.

U.K. classifications are much the same as EU…. Anything is irrelevant this side of the pond!

 

[sedge]

Despite passing your test years before they thought of it, DVLA decided to remove the C1 classification from anyone with insulin controlled diabetes by X date - entirely without ever bothering to enquire of any of us affected - who'd always had to renew their driving licence anyway every 3 years so they've always had to send us forms to complete every time before renewing it, so they hadn't the slightest idea who needed that for their job - and hadn't been planning to change that thanks. Yes you could indeed apply to keep it but I weighed it up with the thought 'I haven't needed to drive anything over 3500kgs so far, so do I really need to do that - and quite possibly/likely to have to jump through jumps I've never encountered before, to do so?' so I decided - rightly or wrongly - that I really couldn't be arsed, frankly.

At the least - every one of us has had a very long time to recognise that we will lose it at age 70 anyway (and then have to jump through hoops)

A bit like God, if you ask me, who as those of us who have bothered to find anything out about have long known, takes time His wonders to perform - our Government and their creation the DVLA!

So - absolutely nothing whatsoever is likely or even possible to happen fast. (Unless 'they' happen wake up one day and decide to .....)

 

[Don Campbell]

I worry that if the 3500 limit is increased it will only be for electric vehicles so that the payload of white van man isn’t taken up by the battery pack.

You are probably correct but given their propensity for cocking things up and failing to think things through properly there is a fair chance that "they" will simply increase the load limit to 4000 or just over for ALL vehicles because most of them will think it's more important to get to the bar early! Sorry but I just can't believe that, despite the consultation, it's very high on the priority list or am I just an old cynic?

 

[Towat101]

I know consultation was on the go and I expect the Government will be taking their time. For me, I will be 70 next June. My van is plated 3,850kg. I want to allow one of my sons to drive the van but he is limited to 3,500kg.

I don't want to down plate if my son will be able to drive the van without taking a test for C1 licence and I don't have to do the paperwork etc to retain my C1 licence
I will down plate if I have to go through the paper etc for my C1 licence renewal and my son doesn't take his C1 licence.

The worst will be down plating and then finding the licence increases to say 4,000kg.

What do people with a magic ball know what will happen over the next year. Or can guess.

I think they'll have to increase the 3.5t limit both for vehicles and licences, reason being electric vans are becoming more prevalent however the weight of the batteries limits the payload, making them impractical for many applications.

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[DDJC]

I think they'll have to increase the 3.5t limit both for vehicles and licences, reason being electric vans are becoming more prevalent however the weight of the batteries limits the payload, making them impractical for many applications.

Earlier in this thread, it appears that they are doing so.

This thread is more about the whether the OP should down-plate to 3500kg, or hold fire. The Government has a notion to revert to the system of awarding licence categories as it was before 1997, whereby everyone who passed their Car (now it is the B1) test automatically got the light truck category, which allows up to 7500kg (now the C1).

I hope they determine to give C1 out to all drivers who are over 21 and have two years driving experience. Then that completely covers any increase in weight due to electric batteries, rather than creating additional exemptions to the 3500kg limit. It would be inordinately easy to implement, and would facilitate a rise in EV chassis, perhaps even for motorhomes as well as commercials.