France...Over 7 seats and Tacho's

[h19 jjm]

Ive just been trying to book a minibus to travel to Le Mans this year, getting one isnt a problem, however i have just been told today that the French require anything over 7 seats must be fitted with a tacho.
I have asked several hirers and nobody seems to know for definite, yet ive also been told its an offence punishable by a jail term.
Can anybody shed some light on the subject for me ?

[johnhere]

You are allowed 9 seats including the drivers any more and then it need a tacho
(very funny guys lol)

Edited by johnhere on Friday 6th March 17:09

[fatboy18]

I like the Hot and Spicy Dip with my tacos ,

[chevy-stu]

Anything under 5 seats, i think you can get away with just nachos....



(just make sure you don't leave crumbs on the floor)

[lescombes]

Never heard of that one......

[h19 jjm]

Tachos..Tacos ??....Nachos ?? Exactly the type of thing thats wrong with pistonheads at the moment !!

For the sensible reply's i have just spoke to another hirer who's minibuses are fitted with tachographs however reckons we dont have to use it as the law states that i will not be carrying fare paying passengers.

[johnhere]

Thats news to us. We hire mini buses to shuttle guys back and forth to the track (free) from Bounty and our info is anything above 9 seats must be fitted with a tacho and must be used even if passengers are not being charged, also to do with the driving license required (D1) to drive a bus with more than 9 seats.

Edited by johnhere on Sunday 8th March 17:14

[fatboy18]

Why dont you contact the DVLA and ask them! We could go on for days on this, and still be none the wiser.

Hope your happy with the sensible reply! Lets face it, you dont want your trip ruined by wrong information.

[David W.]

fatboy18 said:

Why dont you contact the DVLA and ask them! We could go on for days on this, and still be none the wiser.

Hope your happy with the sensible reply! Lets face it, you dont want your trip ruined by wrong information.

Have you tried contacting the DVLA, days? it'll be weeks and how good will they be on French driving law?

[johnhere]

Have a read of this

http://www.hertsdirect.org/infobase/docs/pdfstore/...

[fatboy18]

You could also contact the AA Travel dept, Im sure they would have helpfull info!

Right, thats enough of that im off for some Cheese Nachos

[chevy-stu]

According to Hertz, minibuses with between 10 and 17 seats need tachos...








Best taco-graph I could find... Enjoy. !

Edited by chevy-stu on Sunday 8th March 22:23

[lowdrag]

So many people carriers etc. have 7 seats. A minibus up to 9 is OK but 10 and over a tacho is needed. I live at Le Mans and you'll be OK.

[h19 jjm]

Its really beginning to seriously piss me off now, the hirer is adamant that we dont need to use the tachograph, but we are giving him £600 !!!
The AA, you need to be a member.
I've mailed Vosa and they have not replied, im a HGV driver and dont need the aggro over my licence.
With all the regs regarding breaks etc it will take forever to get there.
Looks like the van and a hire car.
Thanks to all who have replied, and apologies to those that i was short with over the funnies, i was stressed out. And they were quite funny !!!!!!!!

[fatboy18]

Le mans is a few months away Dont get too down yet. You should try ringing your local DVLA office, Ive found them helpfull in the past. Good luck

[johnhere]

As a matter of interest what size bus were you going to hire.

[h19 jjm]

We have sorted a 17 seater for £550. There are 8 people going and the rest of the space is for all the tents and booze !!!

[crmcatee]

Can't you unbolt the seats you don't need. ?

[h19 jjm]

Thats what we are planning to do but the whole thing is such a grey area that im not sure if thats legal. Its very confusing.
Vosa have mailed me a contact number for me to get some advice on monday.

[lowdrag]

I don't think that taking the seats out works. The type of vehicle is defined in the V5 no matter how many seats unfortunately. Can't you each take turns at the wheel or doesn't that work either? Not too sure of tacho rules.