Driving Licence Catergory B weight upgrade for alternatively fuel vehicles

[rayc]

Driving Licence Catergory B weight upgrade for alternatively fuel vehicles

The Government is currently consulting on raising the weight limit to 4250kg for B licences for alternatively fueled vehicles. This is the compensate for the weight of batteries especially in the van and light truck sector. They say "We have found no evidence to suggest that vehicles with a mass of 4,250kg are significantly more difficult to drive than 3,500kg vehicles. Therefore we would not expect the frequency of accidents involving these vehicles to materially change when compared with 3,500kg vehicles."

I realise that this regulatory change is to support the take-up of alternatively-fuelled light commercial vehicles but it beggars belief why a C1 licence is required for motor homes in the 3500 - 4250 kg weight range but not for a commercial vehicle. It is either safe or it not. Why should there be medical requirements to drive a diesel 4250kg vehicle but not for an electric one?
https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...nsultation.pdf

 

[wakk44]

Interesting,especially the bit about ''We have found no evidence to suggest that vehicles with a mass of 4,250kg are significantly more difficult to drive than 3,500kg vehicles. Therefore we would not expect the frequency of accidents involving these vehicles to materially change when compared with 3,500kg vehicles."

The government are admitting that there is virtually no difference safety wise between driving a 3500kg or 4250kg vehicle so we may have different weight rules for electric and diesel vehicles.
Motorhome manufacturers would welcome an increase to 4250kg for PLG,they are constantly fitting more equipment in response to consumer demand and consequently eating into the payload of PLG vehicles plated at 3500kg.
I don't think an increase will happen because the point of the consultation document is to decrease the amount of large polluting diesel vehicles and replace them with cleaner more environmentally friendly electric vehicles.

 

[rayc]

I don't think an increase will happen because the point of the consultation document is to decrease the amount of large polluting diesel vehicles and replace them with cleaner more environmentally friendly electric vehicles.

But once motorhomes are built on an alternative fuel chassis then they will be able to be driven by a B licence holder whilst plated at 4250kg. This could lead to an increased payload depending upon how much the batteries actually weigh. Of course there will be no 90Ltr fuel tank so that is a saving on weight. Also no requirement for a medical at 70 plus those drivers who did not get C1 under grandfather rights will be able to drive motorhomes plated up 4250kg on their B licence. Perhaps 4250 will become the Holy number instead of 3500?

 

[wakk44]

..................................................Perhaps 4250 will become the Holy number instead of 3500?

Wouldn't motorhome manufacturers love that,it would enable them to add more extras on and not worry about the MGVW.

It's a nice thought that anyone who doesn't have C1 would be able to drive a vehicle up to 4250kg but in my opinion it's unlikely to happen.The government,after years of giving us incentives to buy diesel vehicles have done a U turn and have now decided that they are more polluting and damaging to health and are trying to get diesels off the road.

I reckon they will now try and encourage electric vehicle ownership and have an exemption for B licence holders for electric vehicles only up to 4250kg,this will mean a gradual decrease in large diesel engine vehicles on the road which is what the government want especially if they keep increasing the duty on diesel as seems likely.

Whatever happens I don't think I will be around to see it.:frown:

 

[trevskoda]

I did say on the flip forum about ways the gov will slowly kill the oil burners,either by taxation/ins or fuel price,now looks like they have added another string to there bow,we are doomed i say doomed.:Very_sad_emoji_icon

 

[emjaiuk]

If by some strange chance this does come to pass, and we are out of the EU, what would be the position if the EU hadn't followed suite? Is this the sort of thing covered by the Vienna Convention? I seem to recall many years ago meeting some caravanners whose 17 year old son wasn't allowed to drive the rig in France.

Malcolm

 

[channa]

There has always been differences in UK and European rules, The Renault twingo was never introduced to the UK as it did not meet our c and U regulations, tacho laws I do believe were different for a long time