Driving Classic military vehicles

Hairnet, that thread doesnt really clear things up, or i cant make any sense of it! theres a link on there but it doesnt work anymore

station, wish id have known sooner!

Well, it depends on how naughty you are! A friend of mine has a 1948 Bedford truck, a lot like this one, but with the awesome patina of being outside since the last time it was painted in the 1950's:



The old signwriting painted on the side says the GVM is 12 tonnes, but when he went to register it, the authorities didn't have any details about it in their computer, so he told them that it's load capacity was (ahem) one tonne higher than what the tare weight is! Hence, it is registered as a car and driven on his car licence, despite having a flatbed tray on the back which is just long enough for a Holden Torana! I would be worried, but it only does 40mph at full tilt and he never carries a load on it, so he should be reasonably safe.

Just had a reply from the DVLA

Copy and pasted from my email

"Dear Mr Sutton



Thank you for your email received on 21/6/09. Your email reference number is 27956.



I must make it clear from the outset that the Agency cannot give legal advice and that interpretation of the law is a matter for the Courts. It may, however, assist you to have our observations on the points you raise. It is open to any individual, of course, to take legal advice on their own behalf.



LORRIES MANUFACTURED BEFORE 1ST JANUARY 1960



GENERAL
This covers a whole range of commercial and military vehicles that can comply fully with the requirements of the exemption.



FULL ENTITLEMENT

EXEMPTION
Lorries manufactured before 1 January 1960 are included in a list of vehicles, which are exempt from the normal licensing requirements, which apply to large vehicles and can be driven by the holder of a full category B licence. This includes Northern Ireland and Community licence holders. This exemption is prescribed in Regulation 51 (1) (l) of The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 which is: -
"a goods vehicle manufactured before 1st January 1960, used unladen and not drawing a laden trailer".



NOT EXEMPT
Vehicles which do not meet all aspects of the above exemption, and provisional category B licence holders, will be subject to the normal driving licence requirements. The category of entitlement needed to drive will depend on the vehicle, which is: -

(i) up to 3.5 tonnes will need to hold category B;

(ii) between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes will need to hold category C1;

(iii) over 7.5 tonnes will need to hold category C.



PROVISIONAL ENTITLEMENT
A lorry manufactured before 1 January 1960 cannot be driven by a provisional category B licence holder – normal driver licensing requirements apply.

However, it should be noted that a person with provisional category B or C1 entitlement, driving a vehicle in the respective class on an exempted island does not need to be supervised.

top


MINIMUM AGES
The normal minimum age requirements apply to vehicles manufactured before 1st January 1960. This means, to drive a vehicle of: -

(a) up to 3.5 tonnes the person must be aged 17 or over;

(b) between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes the person must be aged 18 or over;

(c) over 7.5 tonnes the person must be aged 21 or over.



SUMMARY
- Lorries manufactured before 1st January 1960, used unladen and not towing a laden trailer, can be driven by the holder of a full category B licence.

- Lorries, which do not meet the exemption, can only be driven by the holder of the appropriate category, depending on the vehicles weight.

- Normal minimum ages apply.

- Provisional licence holders cannot take advantage of the exemption.
"

YES!!!! Email full of WIN!

yep as long as theres no load on it!

although i wonder what constitutes a load? what about camping gear or period tat slung in the back?

Wow, result and some very useful info!

Now lets see some pics of proposed ride. ;D

i bet its fun reversing that with those mirrors.

;D