Seventy this year

anotherpensioner
anotherpensioner Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited February 2016 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Hi I reach the grand old age of seventy this year & wondered what I need to do to keep all my current categories on my driving licence. i.e. car, caravan & motor cycle. Is it straight forward or are there complications? 

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  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2016 #2

    As long as you do not want to drive anything over 3500kg gross train weight ,it is simple and can all be done on line as they will use your passport photo for your new licence id card,If you want to keep driveing over the 3500kg you will need medical and eyesite test

    Will need mine doing again this year as ,it has to be renewed every 3 years after 70FrownUndecided

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
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    edited February 2016 #3

    I too am 70 this year, I had an Autotrail  Savannah motorhome  at 3850/4250 kg. And had a new heart valve fitted in 2015, my eyesight is fine, but I didn't fancy the medical to keep my C1/E, so I have bitten the bullet and downsized to a panel van conversion.
    At 3500kg, strange because I will be able to tow a caravan (which will push the total train weight over 4250 kgs.) But I don't  make the rules.  

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #4

    I too did not bother retaining my C1/E when I reached 70.  Strangely they left 'k' group on ('tracked vehicle steered by it's tracks') - a souveneer from my Tank Regt days in the 60's!  Now that could be useful if I were to get stuck in a boggy field and could borrow a tank!! 

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited February 2016 #5

    I didn't bother with my C1/E either. I'll just stick with the "small is beautiful" mantra.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited February 2016 #6

    I  went  the  "Easy Route"  myself--  as  a  single  it  seemed  logical  &  less  trouble  as  far  as  I  am  concerned. 

    However  although  it  might  have  added  costs  for  you,  it  might  be worthwhile  taking  the  "Tests"  just  the  once  to  see  how  onerous  it  all  is  before  dropping  the  optional  parts  of  your  licence.

    It  would  be  terrible  if  you  found  out  that  the  Tests  were  no  real  problem,  as  far  as  you  are  concerned 
    &  you  have  fretted,  worried  &  downsized  needlessly.

     

    Brian

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #7

    Have you seen this thread, AP. It might help.

     

    http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/community/discussions/welcome-hobby-talk/caravan-motorhome-chat/Driving-Licence-Requirements/rt/16189/

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #8

    I also join the 70 club this year. I am not sure I will bother to retain the over 3500kgs entitlement. My motorhome fits into the lower category and I just don't think I can see me wanting to buy a bigger one, if anything it would be the other way. Margaret has already had her entitlement reduced because of diabetes as she now uses insulin.

    David

    PS

    After 70 how frequently do you need to renew your license?

  • MJ730
    MJ730 Forum Participant Posts: 184
    edited February 2016 #9

    I also join the 70 club this year. I am not sure I will bother to retain the over 3500kgs entitlement. My motorhome fits into the lower category and I just don't think I can see me wanting to buy a bigger one, if anything it would be the other way. Margaret
    has already had her entitlement reduced because of diabetes as she now uses insulin.

    David

    PS

    After 70 how frequently do you need to renew your license?

    Write your comments here...Every 3 years.I join that group as well this year.

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited February 2016 #10

    So do I, apparently dvla will send me forms approximately two months before my birthday. Is there any way of applying sooner as we will be out and about over the period of my birthday,would hate to find out my licence is invalid whilst up in Scotland.Surprised....Cool

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited February 2016 #11

    Undecided  Do  you  mean  invalid  as  your  English  bus  pass  becomes  once  you  cross  the  border 
    Laughing???

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2016 #12

    When i did mine it was very strait forward on line ,and my new licence arrived in less than a week,it last three years,i have to renue again this yearFrown

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2016 #13

    Undecided  Do  you  mean  invalid  as  your  English  bus  pass  becomes  once  you  cross  the  border 
    Laughing???

    ...If you are in Edinburgh a day pass valid on city buses and trams is £4

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited February 2016 #14

    Thanks for the reassurance JVB.....Smile

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited February 2016 #15

    For those of you approaching the big 70, don't forget to take "several" photocopies of your licence as it is now, so that if there is a hiccup with the DVLA you can prove which entitlements you had and they cannot say otherwise. I said several copies
    so that if you have to send one away with a letter you then still have a copy in your possesion.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭
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    edited February 2016 #16

    My turn in September so fingers crossed.

  • Vicmallows
    Vicmallows Forum Participant Posts: 580
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    edited February 2016 #17

    So do I, apparently dvla will send me forms approximately two months before my birthday. Is there any way of applying sooner as we will be out and about over the period of my birthday,would hate to find out my licence is invalid whilst up in Scotland.Surprised....Cool

    You can apply online up to 90 days before your birthday.  All details are on the gov.uk website. (just search for 'renew licence 70).

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited February 2016 #18

    Thanks VicmallowsSmile, I'll do that in april......Cool

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
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    edited February 2016 #19

    As long as you do not want to drive anything over 3500kg gross train weight ,it is simple and can all be done on line as they will use your passport photo for your new licence id card,If you want to keep driveing over the 3500kg you will need medical and eyesite test

    Will need mine doing again this year as ,it has to be renewed every 3 years after 70FrownUndecided

    This statement is not correct. Without your C1 you can't drive a vehicle of over 3500kgs rated maximum authorised mass; note  it is not train weight. If you pass the medical and apply for a C1 this goes up to 7500 kgs.

    So, on a car licence you can drive any "car", and if that car weighed 3500kgs and could tow a trailer of 3500 kgs you could on your car licence work with a train weight of 7000 kgs. All assumes you passed driving test pre 1997.

    All the info is on the government website GOV.UK

    Mod Comment - Government Link added

     

     

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,393 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #20

    So, on a car licence you can drive any "car", and if that car weighed 3500kgs and could tow a trailer of 3500 kgs you could on your car licence work with a train weight of 7000 kgs. All assumes you passed driving test pre 1997.

    All the info is on the government website
    GOV.UK

    and that is what I find utterly ridiculous. You need a medical over 70 to keep your C1 to drive any single vehicle over 3.5 tons but can without it drive a combination having a gross train weight up to 7 tons. Which do you think is the easiest and safest
    to drive! The single vehicle in excess of 3.5 tons or the vehicle and trailer?

    peedee

  • BlueVanMan
    BlueVanMan Forum Participant Posts: 382
    100 Comments
    edited February 2016 #21

    I plan to go abroad next year a couple of months before I am 70. I am hoping to retain my C1 entitlement. As part of my application do I need to send my photo licence to DVLA ? If so this may have severe implications for travelling abroad. 

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
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    edited February 2016 #22

    So, on a car licence you can drive any "car", and if that car weighed 3500kgs and could tow a trailer of 3500 kgs you could on your car licence work with a train weight of 7000 kgs. All assumes you passed driving test pre 1997.

    All the info is on the government website GOV.UK

    and that is what I find utterly ridiculous. You need a medical over 70 to keep your C1 to drive any single vehicle over 3.5 tons but can without it drive a combination having a gross train weight up to 7 tons. Which do you think is the easiest and safest to drive! The single vehicle in excess of 3.5 tons or the vehicle and trailer?

    peedee

    Don't rock the boat on this whatever you do “peedee”, it will not get the over 70s the concession for over 3500 Motor-homes, only lose that anomaly.

    If that occurred given the age demography in the two main clubs with the lost of the right to tow any half decent caravan or motor-home with a trailer these clubs will be dealt a mortal blow and many of us will lose our hobby.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited February 2016 #23

    There is a facility for them to use your current passport picture on the new licence which is what I opted for back in June/July and despite three letters to say that they are looking into the medical history stuff - still no licence - I am glad I didn't tear up the old one as directed - Great Idea to do the photocopy of your old one.  I think it's time to chase them yet again - but I carry the letters with me that say its ok for me to drive as long as the doctors have said so.  At the start of all this I was worried about being pulled over - but have given up on that!   Many Happy Returns to everyone who is celebrating the big 70!

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited February 2016 #24

    Given our potential departure from the EU, I wonder what vehicle groups and weights apply in the various EU countries.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #25

    whats mad is that the weight which determines speed limits for hgvs on duals and mways is 3050kg unladen weight....which is a direct conversion of 3 imperial tons....

    so not based on the MTPLM as is just about every other licensing group/regulation.....why not just 3500kg MTPLM like all the rest .....??

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
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    edited February 2016 #26

    So, on a car licence you can drive any "car", and if that car weighed 3500kgs and could tow a trailer of 3500 kgs you could on your car licence work with a train weight of 7000 kgs. All assumes you passed driving test pre 1997.

    All the info is on the government website
    GOV.UK

    and that is what I find utterly ridiculous. You need a medical over 70 to keep your C1 to drive any single vehicle over 3.5 tons but can without it drive a combination having a gross train weight up to 7 tons. Which do you think is the easiest and safest
    to drive! The single vehicle in excess of 3.5 tons or the vehicle and trailer?

    peedee

    Write your comments here...I agree, but then I think that the 3500kg limit is potty anyway.The very people we should be encouraging to take up our hobby/pastime  young couples with children, find it very hard to find family motorhomes within this limit,
    or if they do,they are in danger of overloading.And they are blocked from towing Caravans too, unless they take a test.

    All because of these limits introduced aimed at commercial drivers, the over 3500kg test involves questions on tachographs for goodness sake ! Who cares about tachographs ? Except commercial drivers. Very cockeyed licensing.

      

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,393 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #27

    There was a move afoot to increase the weight limit from 3500Kgs to 4250Kgs but I think that has died a death in the EU Commision corridors. Thank heavens the DVLA/VOSA/Police have decided to ignore the latest rulings on trailers which might have been the end of the use of A-Frames in this country.

    All because of these limits introduced aimed at commercial drivers, the over 3500kg test involves questions on tachographs for goodness sake ! Who cares about tachographs ? Except commercial drivers. Very cockeyed licensing.

    rayjsj, I think they changed the test for the private licence for the C1. Tachographs are not included.

    I've got 2 years until my next medical. Downsizing could well be on the horizon. Frown

    peedee

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2016 #28
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited February 2016 #29

    Thank you for your reassurance DD.....Cool

  • anotherpensioner
    anotherpensioner Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited March 2016 #30

    Well that opened a can of worms. Cheers everyone. I actually tried to ring the dvla. After on hold for 40 mins gave up as a bad job.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited March 2016 #31

    Laughing  Come  on  Another thingy bob,  its  a  Holiday  week-end,  they'll  be  out  parked  up  on  the  M-something  or  other  with 
    their  caravans  Innocent!!

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