LoggyDriver

I don't know where you read that mate. I drive artics for a living and can tell you that the CPC is 35 hours of training over 5 years. The first 5 years qualify for "grandfather rights" if you have your licence already. Secondly, you only need a CPC if you drive PROFESIONALLY for a living. If you own a private HGV and are not using it to carry goods or burden for hire or reward then you are exempt the requirement for a CPC. Hope this clarifies the situation.

I've been having a bit of a discussion regarding the SVA test for my Bedford MJ with Stone. I've noticed at least one person on here has done this with their vehicle, but after looking at the regulations I am 90% sure you do not need to have this test done on a truck. There are several reasons why I think this is especially as the route I am going to take is the "motor caravan" route. I will cut and paste the info from the DoT website and add here to see what you guys make of it. Okay. The first point is the age of the vehicle. For a standard SVA or indeed the Enhanced SVA the vehicle needs to be less than 10 years old. Will SVA affect you? Generally, your vehicle will need to be approved under the SVA scheme and issued with a Minister's Approval Certificate (MAC) if it is up to 10 years old from the date of manufacture and is not covered by either an EC or national type approval (British or similar national approval from another European Economic Area Member State). Standard SVA only will be applied to the following: a left hand drive vehicle a personally imported vehicle 5 an amateur built vehicle a vehicle manufactured in very low volume a vehicle manufactured using parts of a registered vehicle (for manufacturers only) a rebuilt vehicle (mandatory if first licensing and registration required) a motor caravan (optional) an ambulance (optional) a hearse an armoured vehicle The above categories are defined in Appendix 1. Enhanced SVAwill be required in addition to the Standard SVA in all other cases. NOTE If you purchase a vehicle that has no identity, or have a vehicle that's identity has been removed by the DVLA and in either case another identification number issued, the vehicle is likely to require an Enhanced SVA. So not only does the vehicle need to be less than ten years old, a "motor caravan" is an OPTIONAL requirement. You then have the weight aspect. In the regulations the terms, "cars and light goods vehicles" are used. Appendix 2 - Special arrangements for certain goods vehicles exceeding 3,500kg gross weight SVA normally applies to Light Goods Vehicles up to 3,500kg gross weight and to any passenger car. If, however, a heavier goods vehicle is of the same "family of types" as a vehicle that has already passed SVA (either as a goods vehicle no more than 3,500kg gross weight, or as a passenger car) it may be submitted for SVA providing: the design gross weight does not exceed 5,500 kg; and the kerbside (i.e. unladen) weight does not exceed 3,425 kg. The vehicle is downrated to 3500kg GVW "Family of Types" means vehicles which do not differ in at least the following essential respects: the manufacturer, essential aspects of construction and design: chassis/floor pan (obvious and fundamental differences), power plant (internal combustion/electric/hybrid). This clearly states that a design gross weight of 5,500 KG cannot be exceeded, a Bedford MJ clearly exceeding this. Then to finish off we have this statement. In all cases, SVA (whether enhanced or standard), is only required for vehicles less than 10 years old, which require first licensing and registration in Great Britain. SVA remains available as an option for all cars and light goods vehicles. I'm going to ask the guys at VOSA tomorrow what the score is, but it looks like trucks over 10 years old and that are over 5,500 KG are not subject to the SVA or enhanced SVA test.

I'm sure you will only be required to go through the 4 high ratio gears, as low ratio is meant for off road and heavy towing. I can't remember if you can shift from low to high on the move with the Bedford? What truck are you going to be training on? I passed my class one back in 1993. Straight from a car to an artic.

Also can I point out that while you will need to do the drivers CPC if you are going to go for your licence, once passed you will not need to renew it again IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DRIVE IN A PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY. The drivers CPC is only applicable to drivers who are subject to the WTD and EU drivers hours regulations. Driving an HGV in a PRIVATE capacity means that you will not require to undergo the 35 hours of training every 5 years in order to keep your licence. I on the other hand have to do this training because I am a class one truck driver for a living. I have grandfather rights for the first 5 years as I have my licence already, but after that I will require to undergo the training or I will loose my ability to drive professionally.

Hello all. Category C1 allows you to drive a truck up to 7.5 tonnes. Most of the people on here should have this category, as long as you passed your car test before 1st Jan 1997. Forget the lower weights as this just makes it confusing. A Category C licence allows you to drive any RIGID truck up to any weight. In practice the biggest truck you could drive is an eight wheel truck (like a tipper) with 4 axles and this would be a maximum weight of 32 tonnes. The only time you are allowed to carry 44 tonnes is with a 3 axle tractor and trailer. All these weights are maximum limits. Maximum legal weights are determined by a number of factors, including the spacing between the axles, the outer axle and bogie spread, the number of tyres on each axle, and the type of suspension fitted. Vehicles with Road Friendly Suspension (RFS) and twin tyres on the drive axle are permitted higher weights than those without. The majority of vehicles with RFS operate on air suspension, but some rubber and hydraulic suspension may also count as road-friendly.

I'm looking for indoor storage in the Didcot area of Oxfordshire for a Bedford MJ and possibly a Defender 110. Any one know of anywhere please get in touch. Thanks, Andy

This is the thing Stone. It's all very well and good driving a truck that the civvy police thing is in the "service", but if someone ploughs into you and they turn up it may cause all sorts of trouble. Good luck with your training. I take it you don't drive the truck yet then.:cool2:

Welcome Parksy, I'm new too.

I would like to thank all commenter's for your welcome in advance, to make sure I do not miss anyone out.

This is a bone of contention. The DVLA website says that for a "motor caravan" over 7.5 tonnes then a Cat C licence is required. This could be got around by de-rating the truck to 7.5 tonnes. HOWEVER the weight of the vehicle, the comms body and all items fitted including fuel and passengers cannot exceed this weight if derated. However, I spoke with a guy at Trucks and Troops a few weeks ago who owns a Bedford MJ in pink/sand colour and who is a Policeman. His truck is a Cargo with a home made box body under the canvas tilt. He told me that you DO NOT need an HGV licence because a "motor caravan" is NOT classed as an HGV. He said that the DVLA view is different to that of VOSA and the CU regs. I suppose the only way to be sure is to have an HGV (like me) or to down rate it. I am going to ask the VOSA guys what they think on Monday when I have to take a trailer for an MOT. The guys at NEWBURY are supposed to be very good and a few of them are supposed to own vintage buses and motorcycles, so are enthusiastic when it comes to historic vehicles.

Pictures now uploaded into Album. Please have a look and comment.

I've never driven one and as I was RLC we never had any in my units. They are a great looking vehicle and when I fired one up on Saturday I was impressed by the throbbing 6 cyl diesel noise!!

Thanks. Serlo was a good mate of mine and we used to meet up regularly at shows. But since his XWD venture he has disappeared from the show scene. I wonder what he is up to now? The chances are it might have been my lightweight. I have pictures of this but not on the computer. It was a Q plate, but can't remember the reg no. I sold it to him around 1994-96? The 24v wiring loom caught fire as the sand in the chassis chaffed away at the wires and it shorted out. I had to rewire it myself as I couldn't get an auto sparky within 100 miles of it...:shocked: I will post some pictures if the sizes are OK. I will see if i can. Thanks for the welcome.

This was the reply from VOSA to the UKMotorhomes website. "A 'motor caravan' is "a motor vehicle (not being a living van) which is constructed or adapted for the carriage of passengers and their effects and which contains, as permanently installed equipment, the facilities which are reasonably necessary for enabling the vehicle to provide mobile living accommodation for its users". Motor caravans are not classed as goods vehicles for MOT test purposes and are therefore in class IV or V depending on their seating capacity but regardless of their size or weight.

For the above post, here is the definition of "Motor Caravan" from the Department of Transport. Motor caravan means a special purposes passenger car constructed to include living accommodation which contains at least the following equipment: seats and table, sleeping accommodation which may be converted from the seats, cooking facilities, and storage facilities. This equipment shall be rigidly fixed to the living compartment; however, the table may be designed to be easily removable. The interpretation applied to this definition is as follows: Seats and a Table Are required to be an integral part of the living accommodation area, and mounted independently of other items. The table must be capable of being mounted directly to the vehicle floor and /or side wall. The table mounting arrangement must be secured as a permanent feature, (bolted, riveted, screwed or welded), although the table may be detachable. Permanently secured seating must be available for use at the table. The seats must be secured directly to the vehicle floor and/or side wall. The seats must be secured as a permanent feature, (bolted riveted, screwed or welded). Sleeping Accommodation Must be an integral part of the living accommodation area. Either beds or a bed converted from seats (to form a mattress base) Secured as a permanent feature, with base structures bolted, riveted, screwed or welded to the vehicle floor and / or side wall, (unless the sleeping accommodation is provided as a provision over the driver's cab compartment. Cooking Facilities That are an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation and is mounted independently of other items. That are secured to the vehicle floor and / or side wall. Secured as a permanent feature, (bolted, riveted, screwed, or welded. The cooking facility must consist of a minimum of a two ring cooking facility or a microwave in either case having a fuel/power source. If the cooking facility is fuelled by gas having a remote fuel supply, the fuel supply pipe must be permanently secured to the vehicle structure. If the cooking facility is fuelled by gas having a remote fuel supply, the fuel reservoir must be secured in a storage cupboard or the reservoir secured to the vehicle structure. Storage Facilities Storage facilities must be provided by a cupboard or locker. The facility must be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation, ie mounted independently of other items, unless incorporated below seat/sleeping accommodation or the cooking facility. The storage facility must be a permanent feature, (bolted, riveted, screwed or welded). The storage facility must be secured directly to the vehicle floor and / or side wall, unless a storage provision is provided over the driver's cab compartment.

Hello mate. Don't take this as gospel, but this is the understanding I have. I will find out soon enough as I have just bought a MJ and will be going down to VOSA on Monday as I have a trailer to get MOT'd and will ask them when I'm down there. If you fit a comms body and fit it out as a "Motor Caravan" then it will then be exempt from requiring under run protection as it will no longer be classified as a "goods vehicle" but as a "motor caravan". I must stress that the vehicle needs to be REGISTERED as such and not be retro fitted after initial registration. I will find this out when I visit VOSA on Monday if I can. Once the truck is fitted with a comms body, fitted out to the minimum requirement, and is REGISTERED as a Motor Caravan it will then no longer require an HGV MOT, but come under class 4 (CAR) MOT testing standards. This is regardless of "size and weight" of the vehicle. Under run devices are not part of the class 4 MOT and as such will not be tested. The MOT "exemption" does apply for specific vehicles, and again, these need to be registered as such. But if you buy (for example a Ptarmigan Communications vehicle) and register it as a "display" or "educational" vehicle then the said vehicle will be MOT exempt. This is only MY interpretation of the law based on research and no responsibility will be accepted for any information used herein which may prove to be incorrect or incomplete.

Hello mate. I was at Withams last Saturday to buy a Bedford and they have about 100+ RB44's in stock, including reserve units, some fitted with winches and about 10 fitted with the very rare comms bodys. If I was you I'd get up there quick to get one before they all disappear. These have just arrived and are not on the website. Price is another matter though, I would say they will be expensive.

I can put you in touch with my mate who can get it's Military History for you for a small fee if your interested?

Hello all members. My name is Andy and I have been "into" the show scene since 1989. In that time I have owned mostly Land Rovers (small, cheap and easy to look after). My first vehicle was a 24v Lightweight. I owned this for several years until I sold it to Serlo Longsdon as he wanted it as a project for a Para Recce vehicle. I then bought a Series 3 LWB GS Land Rover that was a very good vehicle. I bought this from Mark Cook (my best mate) back in about 1994 and owned this right up to about 2 years ago. This was dry stored since 1998 when I bought my next vehicle, an ex RAF Land Rover Defender FFR Hard Top. This vehicle I still own and show. I have just added another vehicle to keep my Defender company. I bought a Bedford MJ from Withams last Saturday. The truck is a Ptarmigan Communications truck. I am having all the Ptarmigan gear removed (the truck is designated as a Flat Platform) and having a full comms/office body fitted. The truck is still in the process of being worked on, but should be ready to collect within the next few weeks. I have it's full service history and vehicle docs (found behind the passenger seat). It was attached to 48 Signals Squadron (V) and had it's disposal inspection carried out on the 12/12/08 where it was sentenced as "Fully Fit". It has been through the Bedford Programme back in 2002 and has just had a brand new transfer box fitted (Oct 08). We (me and the Mrs) are going to convert the back of the pod into a living area and as such register it as a "motor caravan". I am a class one driver for a living and the boss is going to let me use my truck and the low loader to collect it ("just replace the fuel you use")for nothing. I served in the Army for 8 years in the RLC as a driver, and left as a L/Cpl, Driver, B1. I specialised in a number of vehicles including DROPS MMLC, Saxon, Battle Field Ambulance, TM 8 Ton Tippers, JCB 410m etc,etc and have been on Operational Tours. I am now an HGV class one driver for a living. Well that's about it from me. Thanks.