Driving a lorry on a post 1997 licence

Zirach

Zirach

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I am weighing up the pros and cons of lorry versus trailer, our girl HATES trailers and I am not too keen on towing. We were thinking of a small lorry but I obtained my licence after 1997 and the rules have changed.

I have looked on the DVLA website but to be honest with you I cant make head nor tail of it!

Can someone please explain to me in primary school terms (!) :confused:what test I would need to take (and how I go about making arrangements to take the test) to allow me to extend my existing standard licence to allow me to drive a 3.5 tonne lorry with one horse on board.

Thanks all
 
...well if my lorry is 3.5 tonnes and the horse on top of that, looks like I will need to take an additional test then :-( Has anyone else taken this? What should I expect, costs wise etc.

In past years I just had someone who had their licence prior to 1997 to sit next to me but this isnt allowed anymore hence my ignorance of how it all works!

Thanks for your patience with my numpty questions!
 
thanks Sarahann1 - had a look on the link, v good. Looks like I need to take a C1 test. I think I would have to take that anyway if I was to buy a trailer as with my car, ifor and horse would come in above 3.5tonnes.

Its never simple is it - will have to look for a place in my area (Suffolk) Anyone done the c1 test?
 
Zirach said:
...well if my lorry is 3.5 tonnes and the horse on top of that, looks like I will need to take an additional test then :-( Has anyone else taken this? What should I expect, costs wise etc.

In past years I just had someone who had their licence prior to 1997 to sit next to me but this isnt allowed anymore hence my ignorance of how it all works!

Thanks for your patience with my numpty questions!
Click to expand...
If your lorry is a 3.5t lorry, it weighs considerably less empty :) The 3.5t is a Maximum Allowable Mass. You don't need any special licence to drive one.
So basically, the lorry weighs around 2.5t (roughly) empty, and you have 1 tonne to play with for you, tack, horse, water, fuel and whatever else you want to drive around.
 
Zirach said:
thanks Sarahann1 - had a look on the link, v good. Looks like I need to take a C1 test. I think I would have to take that anyway if I was to buy a trailer as with my car, ifor and horse would come in above 3.5tonnes.

Its never simple is it - will have to look for a place in my area (Suffolk) Anyone done the c1 test?
Click to expand...
You don't need to a C1 licence to tow a trailer either, you need B (your standard licence) + E (trailer test).
 
Zirach said:
...well if my lorry is 3.5 tonnes and the horse on top of that, looks like I will need to take an additional test then :-(
Click to expand...

NO!

The 3.5 tonnes INCLUDES the horse, tack, driver, passenger etc. The TOTAL weight must be less than 3.5 tonnes whether you take your test or not unless you buy a lorry rated at greater than 3.5 tonnes in which case you must take your test AND the total weight of the lorry and everything else must not exceed the rated weight.
 
have a look at equitrec horse boxes, it will give you an idea of what you can drive on your licence, i had a transit lorry and I could only carry one horse and be under wieght, in the end i went for a trailer test as it meant i could take a friend with me, and my horse liked a bit of equine company when travelling, and only needed one vehicle, which could be used daily and removed the problem of getting in lorry at the wknd and finding it didn't want to start!
 
wilted_spinach said:
NO!

The 3.5 tonnes INCLUDES the horse, tack, driver, passenger etc. The TOTAL weight must be less than 3.5 tonnes whether you take your test or not unless you buy a lorry rated at greater than 3.5 tonnes in which case you must take your test AND the total weight of the lorry and everything else must not exceed the rated weight.
Click to expand...

Ahhhh I see, when a lorry is rated 3.5 tonnes it takes into account the weight of the horse etc. So sorry for being dim!! Thanks :-)
 
Thanks all!!! I now finally get it, its just had been told so many conflicting things by 'well meaning' but non towing or horsebox driving friends that I was confused (it really doesnt take much lol!!)

I can lie down in a darkened room now!
 
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