Rules for race transporters
Discussion
I have a Merc 814D 7.5t used as a transporter - had its MOT (plate) in November. At the time of testing you fill in a form for tacho exemption as its registered as Private HGV.
One thing to note is that PrivateHGV or not, anything registered after 2002 has to have a speed limiter to 90kpmh fitted and working. Anything older is exempt.
John
One thing to note is that PrivateHGV or not, anything registered after 2002 has to have a speed limiter to 90kpmh fitted and working. Anything older is exempt.
John
Frankly, the law is an ass in this respect. I recently got stopped by VOSA and issued with a prohibition notice for not using a tacho in my VAN! Basically if the maximum authorised mass (MAM) of van + trailer is greater than 3.5 tons then you need a tacho for commercial use. The gentlemen that stopped me considered that a race car with sponsor logos constituted a reward and was therefore a commercial venture, so even private use can fall foul of this.
Now we run a motorsport company, so we *are* a commercial venture, but there is no way around this. Because the MAM of our van is 4400kgs just hitching up an empty trailer of any weight means you have to run a tacho. When I looked into it, basically any vehicle capable of towing a trailer with a 1000kg car on it will have a MAM in excess of 3500kgs.
Daft thing is, I only have to use the tacho when the trailer is attached... and the tacho doesn't record if the trailer is hitched or not...
Now we run a motorsport company, so we *are* a commercial venture, but there is no way around this. Because the MAM of our van is 4400kgs just hitching up an empty trailer of any weight means you have to run a tacho. When I looked into it, basically any vehicle capable of towing a trailer with a 1000kg car on it will have a MAM in excess of 3500kgs.
Daft thing is, I only have to use the tacho when the trailer is attached... and the tacho doesn't record if the trailer is hitched or not...
Patrick, drop me an email - we got stopped in exactly the same circumstances; our van towing a trailer / race car. VOSA chap reckoned we needed a tacho. We took legal advice, challenged VOSA & now have a copy of a letter from VOSA stating/agreeing we don't need to run the van with a tacho - can pass you a copy if you wish.
Andy
Andy
royalerp16 said:
Can anyone tell me the regulations for running a 7.5 ton truck as a race car transporter. I have had a full car licence for 30 year. Do I have to use the tach? Is it still registered as an HGV? What do I have to tel the DVLA
if the MAM is under 7.5 tonnes and you have a full car licence for the past 30 years you'll have C1 - it's post 96 licence / test changes where you are limited to 3.5 tthe whole 'not for hire and reward' and private LGV VED and O-licence stuff is a grey area especially if you are competing for none -trivial prizes. it's something which might become a future target for VOSA and the traffic commissioners , probably starting with race transporters and moving on to horseboxes ...
I have a question - if you put a trailer on the back of a 7.5 tonner you can have a total train weight of 8.25 tons i believe. Does anyone know if it matters how that total weight is distributed, in other words can the trailer weigh over 750kg's as long as the overall weight of lorry and trailer doesn't exceed 8.25 tons?
Hope that makes sense!
Hope that makes sense!
spikey78 said:
I have a question - if you put a trailer on the back of a 7.5 tonner you can have a total train weight of 8.25 tons i believe. Does anyone know if it matters how that total weight is distributed, in other words can the trailer weigh over 750kg's as long as the overall weight of lorry and trailer doesn't exceed 8.25 tons?
Hope that makes sense!
it's MAM to the actually load is irrelevant Hope that makes sense!
also C1+E via test allows a MAM of 12000kg for the combination, the 8250 kg restriction is is for grandfather rights drivers who have not passed a vocational test.
mph1977 said:
the whole 'not for hire and reward' and private LGV VED and O-licence stuff is a grey area especially if you are competing for none -trivial prizes. it's something which might become a future target for VOSA and the traffic commissioners , probably starting with race transporters and moving on to horseboxes ...
It means sweet FA having it on the truck - I did a tacho course and had this very discussion with one of the instructors.There are many race teams out there running transporters under the impression they are exempt from needing a licence.
If you have an HGV and its a business, then an O licence IS required. Ours is restricted as we only carry our own cars.
We down-graded out tractor to 32t, think the VED is around £400. I could drop it further to save more but its hardly worth the cost for the saving of a few £££'s
The thing VOSA guys look for is sponsor and team name stickers. Its difficult to say its not a business when there is money for sponsorship and advertising plastered on the side of the truck....
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