Purchasing an old coach
Discussion
Having wanted to buy an old coach for years i thought i'd put some thought into it
It would be late 70's early 80's so around 40 years old, i'm in the understanding it can be driven on a car licence? I passed in 1994 so have grandfather rights.
I'm not looking to convert it to a motorhome or anything but instead use for for shows and general stuff like that, can it be re-registered for private use or anything like that?
Things like MOT, is it different as it wouldn't be a working commercial vehicle?
Anyone got somewhere i can park a coach
It would be late 70's early 80's so around 40 years old, i'm in the understanding it can be driven on a car licence? I passed in 1994 so have grandfather rights.
I'm not looking to convert it to a motorhome or anything but instead use for for shows and general stuff like that, can it be re-registered for private use or anything like that?
Things like MOT, is it different as it wouldn't be a working commercial vehicle?
Anyone got somewhere i can park a coach
First find somewhere to store it!
You can drive a bus which is over 30 years old on a car licence, but you cannot carry more than 8 passengers, and you cannot be driving for Hire Or Reward (basically passengers must not pay to be on the bus). Insuring it for a car driver can be tricky but I know some folk who have found suitable insurance in the past.
If it is over 40 years old and not substantially modified, it is exempt from MOT, same as classic cars.
If it is newer than 40 (or if you want to MOT it anyway), you can either get a class 5 MOT which is similar to the MOT on a car, but the vehicle is obviously bigger. This is sufficient for a pcv licence holder to drive it with a full load of passengers, but again, this cannot be for hire and reward. Alternatively, you can get a class 6 MOT, which is what commercially used buses need. It would allow you to charge fares, but only if you have a bus Operators Licence.
Class 5 is actually stricter on brakes among other things, but the Class 6 requires checks in all the legal lettering, like having the operator name and address, kerb weight etc. to be displayed.
Regardless of whether it is exempt, class 5, or class 6, it will have to be taxed. Unless you are a bus company, in which case it must be taxed as a bus, it should be taxed as PLG (or, if over 40, "historic", with free tax). This needed a letter from the owner to the DVLA to confirm that it would no longer be used commercially as a bus. I'm not sure what the current procedure is since the DVLA local offices are now shut.
Again, regardless of the tax or MOT type, if it is being driven for free passengers (ie not for hire or reward) , if the driver has a PCV licence, they are not required to have a CPC although having one is fine.
I am reasonably sure of all the above, but ianal!
I am slightly less sure of the rules about tachographs. I think if it is over 25, a tachograph is not required unless used for hire or reward. If a tachograph is fitted, I know it doesn't have to be used under all circumstances but that might depend on the driver as well as the use. Obviously for hire and reward it must be fitted and used.
You can drive a bus which is over 30 years old on a car licence, but you cannot carry more than 8 passengers, and you cannot be driving for Hire Or Reward (basically passengers must not pay to be on the bus). Insuring it for a car driver can be tricky but I know some folk who have found suitable insurance in the past.
If it is over 40 years old and not substantially modified, it is exempt from MOT, same as classic cars.
If it is newer than 40 (or if you want to MOT it anyway), you can either get a class 5 MOT which is similar to the MOT on a car, but the vehicle is obviously bigger. This is sufficient for a pcv licence holder to drive it with a full load of passengers, but again, this cannot be for hire and reward. Alternatively, you can get a class 6 MOT, which is what commercially used buses need. It would allow you to charge fares, but only if you have a bus Operators Licence.
Class 5 is actually stricter on brakes among other things, but the Class 6 requires checks in all the legal lettering, like having the operator name and address, kerb weight etc. to be displayed.
Regardless of whether it is exempt, class 5, or class 6, it will have to be taxed. Unless you are a bus company, in which case it must be taxed as a bus, it should be taxed as PLG (or, if over 40, "historic", with free tax). This needed a letter from the owner to the DVLA to confirm that it would no longer be used commercially as a bus. I'm not sure what the current procedure is since the DVLA local offices are now shut.
Again, regardless of the tax or MOT type, if it is being driven for free passengers (ie not for hire or reward) , if the driver has a PCV licence, they are not required to have a CPC although having one is fine.
I am reasonably sure of all the above, but ianal!
I am slightly less sure of the rules about tachographs. I think if it is over 25, a tachograph is not required unless used for hire or reward. If a tachograph is fitted, I know it doesn't have to be used under all circumstances but that might depend on the driver as well as the use. Obviously for hire and reward it must be fitted and used.
Superb information, thanks
You're right about being over 25 years old so won't need a tacho, i believe for personal use a tacho is not required anyway regardless of age, same as renting a 7.5 tonner to move house.
I have a CPC for work so if it was needed that's not a problem.
MOT's etc i'll do a little more research
Only problem being, SWIMBO has said she'll only let me have one if she gets an engagement ring
Just got to wait for the one i want to come up for sale, it's apparently still on the road along with her sister coach, one in the Stafford area, the other whereabouts unknown however.
You're right about being over 25 years old so won't need a tacho, i believe for personal use a tacho is not required anyway regardless of age, same as renting a 7.5 tonner to move house.
I have a CPC for work so if it was needed that's not a problem.
MOT's etc i'll do a little more research
Only problem being, SWIMBO has said she'll only let me have one if she gets an engagement ring
Just got to wait for the one i want to come up for sale, it's apparently still on the road along with her sister coach, one in the Stafford area, the other whereabouts unknown however.
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