Autotrail Tracker MAM and driving licence

Freds shed
Freds shed Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited February 2021 in Motorhomes #1

Hi, I am about to renew my driving licence as I am approaching the grand old age of 70. I have a full licence dating back to 1966. My motorhome is a 2011 Autotrail tracker EKS and according to the owners handbook its MAM is 3500 kgs.

I'm left in a quandary, does this  mean I need to retain my C1 licence or  am I o.k. with just a group 1 car licence. DVLA paperwork is unclear  some parts say up to 3500 kg for a Group 1, others say C1 is from 3500kg, which is it ?

 

HELP

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,138 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #2

    Gross vehicle weight of 3500kg is OK on an ordinary car licence. That's why so many of us oldies restrict ourselves to vans of 3500kg.

    You'll find driving licence info in the club's advice tab at the head of the page.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,859 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #3

    I relinquished my full driving licence at 70 as I didn't think I would need it as I intended to keep on or below the 3500kgs limit. Provided you are sure that you won't be tempted to buy a heavier motorhome in the future no reason why you shouldn't do the same. 

    David

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #4

    If you are positive you do not want to drive anything over 3.5 tons in the future then you can renew you licence on line >here<

    I believe it is possible to apply to get your C1 entitlement back later should you change your mind although I have not met anyone who has actually done this. If I thought I might need to drive something over 3.5 tons in the future, I personally would not risk giving it up and would go for a D4 medical.

    peedee

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited February 2021 #5

    Running at 3500Kg or lower enables you to avoid a lot of road restrictions, particularly abroad.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,138 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #6

    Bear in mind that in the UK a lot of road restrictions, eg speed limits and outside lane m/way use have an upper limit of 3050kg unladen weight, not 3500kg laden weight. 

    As a general rule - road use 3050 unladen, licence category 3500 laden. Same numbers, different order.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #7

    Weight restrictions usually only apply to commercial vehicles, e.g. trucks. Yoiu can certainly ignore them for access unless it is of course some phyisical limitation e.g. weak bridge. However it is true tolls in France could cost you more.

    peedee

  • JimE
    JimE Club Member Posts: 353 ✭
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    edited February 2021 #8

    I renewed my licence at 70 nearly two years ago and the process is relatively straightforward.

    If your health is okay and the cost of a medical is not prohibitive, I would suggest you include the C1 entitlement when you renew as you never know if you might need it in the future, especially with the prospect of much heavier electric powered vehicles coming.

    I have a 3,500kg Dethleffs A Class uprated to 3,850kg, so I need the C1 entitlement but could get the MH downplated and lose the extra 10% payload if circumstances dictate.

     

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #9

    you never know if you might need it in the future, especially with the prospect of much heavier electric powered vehicles coming.

    Good point Jim.

    peedee

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #10

    Just looking on the bright side, you might want to drive someone else's motor caravan to help out should they be incapacitated.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited February 2021 #11

    Fred,

         If you have no medical etc problems to limit your options I'd be inclined to keep the C1 ~~ my need to use insulin caused me to have to forgo that,  alas  so I'm limited for the future frown

  • Alfa
    Alfa Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited February 2021 #12

    I believe from 1 Jan 2021 - until told otherwise - you can renew your C1 licence (D2 form) for 1 year without the Medical Examination (Form D4) being necessary. 

    The DVLA website refers to Lorry or Bus licences but hope this covers Medium Sized vehicles such as Motorhomes. 

    I have scoured other Motorhome forums which cover last year's extension but none mention 2021!

    Can anyone confirm whether I'm correct?

  • Kontikiboy
    Kontikiboy Forum Participant Posts: 304
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    edited February 2021 #13

    I renewed my C1 last July and at that time there were no other options, I think someone spread that story maliciously!    However, I can confirm that the DVLA web site is awful, out of date and contains many contradictions.    

    BillC

  • Alfa
    Alfa Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited March 2021 #14

    Further to my 8/02/21 posting, I believe answered my own query!

    Submitted my C1 Renewal D2 without Medical D4 as the DVLA online stated " Renew or Change a Lorry or Bus licence if over 45 because of Covid-19 you currently do not need Medical D4 and you will receive a 1year extension".

    Today had my C2 application returned as no Medical D4!  Have submitted to DVLA Online that their wording is wrong......!

    So to renew your C1 over 70 does still require a completed Medical form D4.

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