Practicalities/Legalities of privately running a lorry

[TurboHatchback]

I have been browsing vehicles as you do and I was lately wondering about what is involved in running a lorry privately just for personal use (as you do). It turns out you can buy one of these for the same price as a used pickup truck and I bet there would be more giggles to be had driving and owning one than any expensive sports car:



As a commercial operator I understand that an operators licence is required but is this the case for a private individual? The closest case I can think of is horse lorry owners and I've never heard of them needing one. Obviously a rigid HGV licence would be required but what are the requirements around tachographs and CPC training when driving for personal use? I could easily fit one on my driveway so there would be no issues about parking such a monstrosity on the street.

I presume MOTs are still a requirement and it's not like it can be taken down the local garage and I haven't the faintest idea how road tax for such a machine works. It must be possible however as there are lots of people who own large military vehicles and take them to shows.

Obviously this is all hypothetical, I'm not going out and buying one tomorrow but I am interested in any knowledge people can share.

[Krikkit]

Over 7.5T you'll need a tacho apparently, but I'd ask a mod to move this over to the commercial break subforum as they'll know the best

sauce: https://www.trucknetuk.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=7...

[Olivergt]

Stop with the hypothetical, just do it, you know it makes sense.

And now you have me thinking, would make a fine camper, with off road capability

Oh and by the way, I have no idea on what you would need to do, sorry.

[Baldchap]

I did my cat C licence a couple of years ago for this very reason. As it happens, it kind of didn't (happen), but I was under the impression that a tacho is not required for non-commercial use, but if one is fitted (regardless of usage) it must be calibrated etc.

I'd contact VOSA and ask. Everything these days is considered the driver's fault and penalties can be severe.

[Biggles111]

If you are buying then Brightwells are worth a look for MoD disposals, example here https://www.brightwellslive.com/lot/details/488878

[jet_noise]

Worst "I've got the biggest fk off driveway" post evah.

Can I have a go when you've bought it?

[Tyre Smoke]

I'm happy to be corrected, but I'm sure MOD vehicles have no tachographs. Also for private use it would need to be reclassified as PLG and I think that means (currently) £165.00 a year VED.

Driving licence requirements I'm unclear on, but I wouldn't rule out being able to drive it on a car licence, depending on when you passed, what category it finally lands up as, etc.

[Pothole]

Biggles111 said:

If you are buying then Brightwells are worth a look for MoD disposals, example here https://www.brightwellslive.com/lot/details/488878

"This Vehicle can Ford through 0.75m (without preparation), 1.5m (with preparation) Radiator and hydraulic pumps are mounted behind the cab, to allow for extra ground clearance"

Sounds good!

[RizzoTheRat]

A chat with ProjectBlue51 might be a good idea
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[XCP]

My licence allows me to drive up to 7.5 tonnes, but that's because I passed decades ago. As long as the vehicle is not being used for 'hire or reward' it would be PLG I would have thought.
Can't help re MOT testing, but the same place as commercial vehicles I would have thought. I wouldn't have thought a private vehicle would need a tacho.

[vonhosen]

Will require Cat C licence for over 7.5t , will require tacho records to be kept even for private use, CPC won't be required.

[sunbeam alpine]

Biggles111 said:

If you are buying then Brightwells are worth a look for MoD disposals, example here https://www.brightwellslive.com/lot/details/488878

Oh you bd - I really should not have clicked on that link!

[rxe]

I've been drooling over these on Brightwells for months now. You can get them with a crane to load the back!

Bought a Wolf Land Rover instead....

[ozzuk]

Wow, wish I hadn't clicked that link - looks amazing value for money even with the 30% extra charge. Wonder if you could convert to a camper.

Sadly I passed just after 1997 so would need to do class C, by my missus was pre-1997 I'll see if she fancies driving it

Tempting to buy just to p off neighbours that try to block my drive

[ozzuk]

This just gets better, I can see me getting no work done today - imagine this as a camper!

https://www.brightwellslive.com/lot/details/488895

[jeremyc]

The thread you need is here

[cts1975]

Up to 7.5 tonne:
No CPC required.
No tacho required or any records to be kept.
No ops licence required
Just the correct category on your licence. Determined by the vehicle class and weight etc.

Above 7.5 tonne then it will come under EU rules.

[anonymous-user]

All that I can say is that I now wish to sell all of my possessions, buy one of these trucks, and live in it as a motorhobo, with spare food supplies in my beard. I might perhaps have a motorbike or a very tiny car such as an old Fiat 500 parked on its roof, in case I need to go and buy more food for the beard.

[MOBB]

ozzuk said:

This just gets better, I can see me getting no work done today - imagine this as a camper!

https://www.brightwellslive.com/lot/details/488895

Just stop it would you, I'm having stupid thoughts now :-[

[TurboHatchback]

RizzoTheRat said:

A chat with ProjectBlue51 might be a good idea
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Interesting thanks, definitely one for me to follow.