12 seat safari - tax exempt????

[marc777]

Does anyone know whether the 12 seat safari is a commercial vehicle (like the current trend for 4 seat pick-ups) for company car tax purposes. i.e. the tax charge you get when running a vehcile as a company car, even through your own business.

I also read that with 12 seats it may be exempt from congestion charge?

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Marc

[sunbeam_alpine]

I was looking at one of these, but if there are more than 9 seats you may need a different driving licence (for a bus), or remove some seats.

I'm in Belgium, so the law in UK may be different.

Over here, it would also have to be registered either as a private car (if up to 9 seats) or a bus (more than 9 seats).

[Hooty]

Land Rover do not make a 12 seater Defender any more.

[marc777]

I'm looking to buy a new one - just a good one.

[Al W]

My 12 seat TD5 Defender is a 2000my and the tax renewal I just filled out states it's a private/light goods (PLG) and £190 for 12 mths

[bcadou]

Hi guys

Could you please confirm that you can drive a 12 seater safari with a usual UK driving licence?

I got confused with one of the messages above.

Thank you

[ilaishley]

Depending on weight you can drive a 50 seat car. Number of seats is only relevant if you are driving for hire or reward, for which you need a PSV license. Weight of vehicle determines weather or not you need LGV / HGV license. Other factor such as articulation also determine types of those license. This is all in my head and I have no expertise but pretty sure it is right, but I am prepared to be corrected.

[smellyantz]

you can drive a 12 seat defender/series if you passed your driving test before 1997 i think it is. thats the year they brought in all the changes like trailer tests etc.