3.9t LDV Maxus minibus/camper
Discussion
Hi wonder if anyone could help me, I am looking to buy a minibus to convert into a camper and have come across few ldv maxus 3.9t 17 seat minibuses but my license only covers me to 3.5t but the 3.9t is full laden with 17 passengers onboard. As it would be converted to a camper I wouldn’t be carrying as much weight as 17 passengers and would be 2 passengers with basic equipment in back which would be under 3.5t. Where would I stand? Could police pull me and fine me with points? Or would they have to get the minibus weighed? Any help appreciated. Thank You
https://www.basecampers.com/how-to-re-register-as-... seems to be on the right track?
Welshstyles said:
but my license only covers me to 3.5t
Your licence covers you to drive vehicles up to 3.5t GVW - not 3.5t kerb.Welshstyles said:
Could police pull me and fine me with points?
Yep, definitely. And the "revenue weight"/GVW is on both the VIN plate and DVLA's computer. As is your licence category...You cant drive the vehicle as it is, but youve said your going to convert it to a camper. There is a set ruling for camper conversions, you must have a fixed cooker and sink fitted and there is some regulation pertaining to windows and their fitted positions. Once these regulations have been conformed with you can then get the V5 changed to a camper van and the weight is no longer relevant. Depending on the registration date which I cant remember, you can have a full size coach converted to a camper and drive it on a car licence.
imagineifyeswill said:
You cant drive the vehicle as it is, but youve said your going to convert it to a camper. There is a set ruling for camper conversions, you must have a fixed cooker and sink fitted and there is some regulation pertaining to windows and their fitted positions. Once these regulations have been conformed with you can then get the V5 changed to a camper van and the weight is no longer relevant. Depending on the registration date which I cant remember, you can have a full size coach converted to a camper and drive it on a car licence.
I don’t think this is correct. Would be interested to find out if I am wrong though.ETA .GOV website link which sets out the relevant licence requirements.
https://www.gov.uk/driving-motorhome
Edited by Scrump on Wednesday 26th September 19:04
imagineifyeswill said:
You cant drive the vehicle as it is, but youve said your going to convert it to a camper. There is a set ruling for camper conversions, you must have a fixed cooker and sink fitted and there is some regulation pertaining to windows and their fitted positions. Once these regulations have been conformed with you can then get the V5 changed to a camper van and the weight is no longer relevant. Depending on the registration date which I cant remember, you can have a full size coach converted to a camper and drive it on a car licence.
Woah, hold on...Yes, you can change it to motorcaravan body type, and that gets you round the reduced speed limits... But that's it. You're still subject to GVWs, either 3.5t or 7.5t. There's a lot of approaching-70yo motorhome types flog their 4.5t motorhomes, and buy 3.5t instead - a friend's parents have just done it - simply because keeping 3.5t-7.5t at 70 involves extended medicals etc.
AIUI, there are some conspiracy-theory types who reckon they can drive a 7.5t+ on a car licence because it isn't an HGV... Yeh, whatever...
Official wording...
https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories
gov.uk said:
Category B - if you passed your test before 1 January 1997
You’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM).
Category B - if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997
You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg MAM with up to 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg).
Category C1
You can drive vehicles between 3,500 and 7,500kg MAM (with a trailer up to 750kg).
"Vehicles"... (And, yes, I know gov.uk isn't always the absolute final legal reference, but...)You’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM).
Category B - if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997
You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg MAM with up to 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg).
Category C1
You can drive vehicles between 3,500 and 7,500kg MAM (with a trailer up to 750kg).
Go and look up the different groups of licences .
Basically.
Group 1 is the basic everyday stuff covered by basic eyesight and medical requirements .
Group 2 is the vocational stuff and over 3.5t stuff . The medical and eyesight requirements are much different and the testing is much more frequent and becomes much tougher to retain on this list over 70 .
You can lose the rights to group 2 but still retain a Group 1 .
Basically.
Group 1 is the basic everyday stuff covered by basic eyesight and medical requirements .
Group 2 is the vocational stuff and over 3.5t stuff . The medical and eyesight requirements are much different and the testing is much more frequent and becomes much tougher to retain on this list over 70 .
You can lose the rights to group 2 but still retain a Group 1 .
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