Driving licence limits

ALB250751
ALB250751 Forum Participant Posts: 9
edited July 2021 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

I am 70 years old and I have reapplied for my licence, my new licence has a BE limit until 2024.

Does this mean I can tow any caravan that is within the towing vehicle up to a limit of 8250KG

I am somewhat confused as most people have said that when I reach seventy years old I can only tow a gross weight of 3500KG

Comments

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,867
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    edited July 2021 #2

    Limit for vehicle alone is 3500 kg. unless you take medical exam to drive larger motorhome than that. Limit for vehicle and trailer combined is 8250 kg.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 23,373
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    edited July 2021 #3

    Very succinctly put. Probably clearer than this…

    https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/advice-and-training/advice-for-beginners/driving-licences/

     

  • Burgundy
    Burgundy Club Member Posts: 313
    100 Comments
    edited July 2021 #4

    When you reach 70 licence has to be renewed every three years, all the other classes will run out in 2024 also

  • TravellingPeacocks
    TravellingPeacocks Forum Participant Posts: 39
    edited July 2021 #5

    My understanding is that with B+E entitlement you can drive anything up to 3.5tonnes and any trailer that can be legally towed with the vehicle(I.e. within the train weight of the towing vehicle). 
    just checked the DVLA Gov website and there is a provision as to when the entitlement is shown from on licence. 
    copied from gov website 

    Category BE
    You can drive a vehicle with a MAM of 3,500kg with a trailer.

    The size of the trailer depends on the BE ‘valid from’ date shown on your licence. If the date is:

    before 19 January 2013, you can tow any size trailer
    on or after 19 January 2013, you can tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500kg

    https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories

    Hope it helps. 

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 14,096
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    edited July 2021 #6

    Those who have passed their driving test before 1997, so most people over the age of 40/45 now, have no issue if towing a caravan on the restricted 70 licence, it's the same as before you were 70. Medical exceptions might apply. 

    The real issue for those of us aged 70 and over is if we want to drive a motorhome of more than 3500 kgs, that is when it becomes more complicated due to mextra medical checks.

    David 

  • ALB250751
    ALB250751 Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited July 2021 #7

    Thankyou for your help and comments

  • 777
    777 Forum Participant Posts: 76
    edited July 2021 #8

    I am over 75 and intend switching from a caravan to a motorhome early 2022, one which has a MAM of 4250 KG.  I passed my test decades prior to the 1997 cut off, but I did not renew my C1 when passing 70. I have now booked a medical, and have the D4 medical form which I will send when fully complete. However, it says I have to send the application form as well. The only form I can find is the D2, which seems to be for a provisional licence for training in a truck or coach. Can someone please advise what application form I require, because after spending a couple of frustrating hours on Google, and DVLA sites, I cannot find a suitable form. Thanks

  • Burgundy
    Burgundy Club Member Posts: 313
    100 Comments
    edited July 2021 #9

    I thought you may have lost the entitlement by not keeping it up, but someone on another forum posted that he had renewed entitlement at 74 and said

    “ You should visit a Post Office and collect a form D1 and in the relevant box indicate you wish to renew your C1 classification. You send this and the form you will get from the medic service, plus your existing licence to the DVLA at the addresses shown on the website. ”

    hope this helps

  • 777
    777 Forum Participant Posts: 76
    edited July 2021 #10

    Big help, many thanks. Off to th PO tomorrow!

  • 777
    777 Forum Participant Posts: 76
    edited July 2021 #11

    Sorry guys, one final question. I have had my medical today, and form D2 (Application) and D4 (medical) ready to be sent off to apply to have C1 reinstated (77 years old). Do I now have to have a medical every time I apply for my three year licence renewal, or now C1 is (hopefully) reinstated is that it?  Thanks

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2021 #12

    There are test to be carried out before each renewal

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,499
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    edited July 2021 #13

    If you get it re-instated it will be valid for 3 years and then I'm afraid it is the D4 medical every 3 years Nicho.

    peedee

     
  • 777
    777 Forum Participant Posts: 76
    edited July 2021 #14

    Thought it might be, thanks - my three year licence runs out November 2022, so I guess I’ll have to have another medical then, even though only a little 15 months from this one? 

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