C1 car for exam

Author
Discussion

Piston2022

Original Poster:

104 posts

28 months

Thursday
quotequote all
I’m planning to transport my race car using a recovery truck instead of towing it. Fed up with towing and idiots on the road

From what I understand, most vans weigh around 2 tons or more, which means the remaining payload capacity is only about 1000–1300 kg. That includes the driver and passenger, right? So it’s not enough to safely carry a car.


Here is what I am reading

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rules-for-lorries-used...

One option is to get a Category C or HGV license, but I’d rather not spend £2,000. The other option I’m considering is getting a C1 license and using my own vehicle for the test.

I have a few questions:
• Can I take the C1 driving test using my own vehicle?
• The DVLA site mainly talks about cars under Category B. Is there a minimum weight or spec required for the vehicle used in a C1 test?

I’m thinking of buying a cheap £1,000 recovery truck that might need a bit of work. For the test, I’d ask a friend to drive my car to the test centre and load it onto the truck there. That way, I won’t get pulled over on the way if it’s not technically allowed yet. If I fail the test, I’d just unload the car and have my friend drive it back.

The only real cost for me would be the test itself, since I already did the medical a while back when I was planning to go for an HGV license (just never followed through).

Any advice would be really appreciated

miniman

27,618 posts

274 months

Thursday
quotequote all
govuk said:
A category C1 vehicle is a medium-sized lorry:

with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of at least 4 tonnes
at least 5 metres long
with a closed box cargo compartment at least as wide and as high as the cab
Does a recovery truck with a car on the back satisfy that last requirement?

RicksAlfas

13,945 posts

256 months

Thursday
quotequote all
Just a link pulled at random, but these guys reckon you can carry 1,400 - 1,500kg on a 3.5T transporter.
Wouldn't that be enough? Saves a lot of hassle for you.

https://www.transporterhire.co.uk/car_transporters...

Piston2022

Original Poster:

104 posts

28 months

Thursday
quotequote all
Issue is mam includes passenger weight as I understand ( happy to be corrected) and tools etc will be way over

RicksAlfas

13,945 posts

256 months

Thursday
quotequote all
Piston2022 said:
Issue is mam includes passenger weight as I understand ( happy to be corrected) and tools etc will be way over
Yes. 3.5T is total gross vehicle weight.
Fuel, packed lunch, cargo, passengers everything.

Piston2022

Original Poster:

104 posts

28 months

Thursday
quotequote all
miniman said:
Does a recovery truck with a car on the back satisfy that last requirement?
Don’t know, i guess it is not closed can for sure

Hence why I posted
Dvsa asked to contact test centre and I plan to

Krikkit

27,288 posts

193 months

Thursday
quotequote all
Just de-risk everything and get a cat C licence imho.