Advice re. learning to drive a motorhome

[Atomic Gibbon]

Hi Forum,

I want to upgrade my post 1997 licence (B, B1, etc but not C1) so that I can drive a motorhome, ultimately a motorhome towing a trailer. I realise that any caravan based banter on this forum gets short shrift, but in my defence the plan is to tow a caterham to spa for the weekend next year.

My questions:

I think I need to get C1 for this, do I need C1+E for the trailer?

Once I have the provisional sorted, is the test like the "normal" one? I'm thinking crossing arms on the wheel, excess use of the handbrake and looking about like a meerkat during 3 point turns etc..

One major need would be for practice - do I need lessons from a proper instructor (hard to do), or can i just borrow the services of anyone with a full C1?

Thanks in advance

AG

[davepoth]

Does depend on the vehicle. Lots of motorhomes are based on vehicles with up to 3500kgs GVW (the 3500kgs includes any trailer) which are fine to drive on a normal car license. As a rule if it's based on a transit sized van and has a single wheel rear axle you should be fine to drive it on a car license. It's only the larger vehicles that you'll need the license upgrade for.

[AndrewW-G]

Would suggest contacting one of the specialist rental co's and asking them what you can drive on a standard licence and how to go about upgrading to the other licence category if needed . . . . . . would be very suprised if they hadnt already hooked up with people who do the training

[PHmember]

Atomic Gibbon said:

but in my defence the plan is to tow a caterham to spa

Holy cr*p - way to turn the thread around!!

[vonhosen]

Depends what motor home you want & what you want to tow.

It may result in you having to do medical, theory test, hazard perception test & practical test (which is not exactly the same format as the car test).

Anyone supervising you will have to have done the test themselves (not hold the licence on grandfather's rights) & have held that class licence for 3 years.

[Atomic Gibbon]

Thanks for the advice guys. Motorhome in question:
(based on Fiat Ducato)
Height: 2.87m / 9' 5"
Width: 2.22m / 7' 3"
Length: 6.97m / 22' 10"
Payload: 695kg
MTPLM: 3400kg

I think that means I can (just about) drive the van on a class B, but not tow with it?

Cheers

AG

[dave4959]

vonhosen said:

(not hold the licence on grandfather's rights)

Never knew that, what about this situation

My dad automaticly had a 7.5 tonne licence though passing before 97.

However he upgraded to a class 2 licence around 4 years ago, did the theory, medical and practical etc.

Would he be able to supervise me learning in a 7.5 tonne then?

[blueb8]

Yes he would, you automatically get C1 when you take C
You could be better to go straight for C as you don't need to take C1 first.