Driving License Categoris

[cpjitservices]

Morning all,

 

Most of you know I've passed my test recently, I'm looking at hiring a van soon to move some family members.

 

However checking my license it seems to me that I dont have a "light van/luton" category.

 

 

Can anyone shed any light on this ? DVLA site states about what the categories are BUT it states the old license not the new one, and the new one is confusing.

 

 

Thanks in Advance

[tmcd35]

You used to get catagory B1 which included Lutons when you passed your main driving test. They changed that something like 10 years ago and now you have to sit an additional test to drive that catagory. I think it now comes under one of the HGV's but am not sure.

 

Long story short - you license doesn't allow you to drive Lutons, sorry.

[cpjitservices]

Shame that,

 

most Lutons don't exceed 3.5 tonnes which apparently is the maximum weight I'm allowed to drive on my license.

[tmcd35]

You'll probably be best phoning the DVLA and asking them. Just looked around the website and I can see why you're confused, I think I am now. They're talking about trikes for B1, my license shows a picture of a Luton for B1!?! I do vaguely remember the change coming in about Lutons and them being moved off of the main license but as the DVLA site says - they keep bloody changing the catagories and their meanings!

[Domino]

All depends on when it was issued... https://www.gov.uk/old-driving-licence-categories

[plexer]

You can only drive the vehicles you have entitlement for and as you can see by the back of your licence that's not a lot.

 

Ben

[plexer]

It's all confusing transit van would deffo be ok luton may not with new licences.

 

Ben

[arwen]

You should be ok with a long wheel based transit. I think they moved Lutons into the HGV category as they are apparently more difficult to drive because they overhang (or something think that). I've been enquiring about hiring vans recently and been told that is the biggest van I can legally drive with only a car licence.

[cpjitservices]

Blllurrrgh - Confised.com. Looks like LWB is biggest I can drive.

 

Thanks all.

[mac_shinobi]

Passed mine in 2008 - not sure what that entitles me to - need to check mine

 

If I remember correctly I still can't tow a trailer and need to do a separate test for this

[MatthewL]

You can drive a van upto 3.5 ton with single wheels at the back.

[Oaktech]

It's about Gross vehicle weight. You can drive any vehicle with a Maximum all-up weight of 3.5 tonnes. This is except minibuses for which you need a separate improvers course to drive a vehicle with more than 6 passenger seats.

 

Ultimately, your hire company will check your licence when you hire and won't let you hire anything more than can legally drive.

[cpjitservices]

It's about Gross vehicle weight. You can drive any vehicle with a Maximum all-up weight of 3.5 tonnes. This is except minibuses for which you need a separate improvers course to drive a vehicle with more than 6 passenger seats.

 

Ultimately, your hire company will check your licence when you hire and won't let you hire anything more than can legally drive.

 

Agreed, but it is nice to have it in clear n simple terms to what you can drive and what you can't except for the obvious of course.

 

Silly DVLA... what a horrible website!

[mac_shinobi]

Agreed, but it is nice to have it in clear n simple terms to what you can drive and what you can't except for the obvious of course.

 

Silly DVLA... what a horrible website!

 

 

Ultimately, your hire company will check your licence when you hire and won't let you hire anything more than can legally drive.

 

Let the hire company do all the leg work and as above they will / can check your license and be able to advise what you can / can't drive etc

[SYNACK]

Do you need to blank out that drivers id on the bottom left?

 

Also, what's a Luton? - edit - oh, like a camper van.

 

Your driving tests must be harsh, there is no separate test for trailers or small trucks here, you can drive a camper van on a car licence.

Edited August 11, 2014 by SYNACK

[Boredguy]

Also, what's a Luton?

 

A Luton body is a style of commercial vehicle body incorporating an enclosed box body extended over the cab. Normally also have a tail lift to make it easier for you to get things into the back of it.

[truebluesteve]

Unfortunately if it's not on your licence then you can't drive it. I never really understood why they changed them but that's the way it is. Schools often have problems getting staff who can drive minibuses - certainly those with more than 12 seats

[Boredguy]

Think the change was partially to do with some of the tragic minibus accidents in the mid 90's, especially the M40 crash in 93. It was also this point when the old wooden benches in the back were outlawed and proper seating and training came in.