Ive always thought that if you had a class 2 ,you could drive a unit with the 5th wheel disabled so you cannot pick up a trailer,however recently my TM has been getting class 2 drivers to drive units into London for repairs/collect from London.
Is it legal to do without blocking the 5th wheel??
demonbiker:
Ive always thought that if you had a class 2 ,you could drive a unit with the 5th wheel disabled so you cannot pick up a trailer,however recently my TM has been getting class 2 drivers to drive units into London for repairs/collect from London.
Is it legal to do without blocking the 5th wheel??
This MYTH is sure going strong !!!
The fifth wheel has NOTHING to do with anything regarding the licence required to drive it
So it is perfectly legal to drive unit solo!
ROG:
demonbiker:
Ive always thought that if you had a class 2 ,you could drive a unit with the 5th wheel disabled so you cannot pick up a trailer,however recently my TM has been getting class 2 drivers to drive units into London for repairs/collect from London.
Is it legal to do without blocking the 5th wheel??
This MYTH is sure going strong !!!
The fifth wheel has NOTHING to do with anything regarding the licence required to drive it
Not anymore.
But it did have something to do with everything regarding the licence required to drive it in the days when you could drive a 38 tonne 2+3 drawbar outfit with a class 3 but you needed a class 1 to drive a solo tractor unit without it’s fifth wheel being removed.Unless ROG can show me otherwise.
will this myth ever be squashed 
its no different to driving a car with a tow bar, as going with that train of thought that would be illegal also just because you could go and attach a trailer heavier than 750g
Confused now!!
Cant drive a unit without a class1 ■■?
demonbiker:
Confused now!!Cant drive a unit without a class1 ■■?
forget the HGV classes -they have gone - it is now LGV C1, C & C+E
A unit is a C - fifth wheel being on or off has nowt to do with it
Carryfast:
Not anymore.
But it did have something to do with everything regarding the licence required to drive it in the days when you could drive a 38 tonne 2+3 drawbar outfit with a class 3 but you needed a class 1 to drive a solo tractor unit without it’s fifth wheel being removed.Unless ROG can show me otherwise.
I cannot find anything relating to the old HGV regulations - I reckon they have been withdrawn from the Govt sites as they are out of date - so cannot comment on what was…
demonbiker:
So it is perfectly legal to drive unit solo!
If you have a C licence - YES
Just found in FTA yearbook that you can drive a unit on a C licence as long as you not towing a trailer!
FTA yearbook 2008 page 80
demonbiker:
So our TM is asking drivers to break the law, and they are doing it!!oh joy
how so
Think demonbiker needs to get the right end of the stick
demonbiker:
So our TM is asking drivers to break the law, and they are doing it!!
No he is not
macplaxton:
Think demonbiker needs to get the right end of the stick
hows this… 
IT IS LEGAL TO DRIVE A COMPLETE ARTIC UNIT ON A C (RIGID) LICENCE
Is that big and clear enough
think what rog is saying anyone who is able to drive a 7.5ton can drive a tractor unit providing weight does not exxed 7.5ton .
YOU CAN LEGALLY DRIVE A “UNIT” ON A CLASS 2 (C) LICENCE AS IT’S A RIGID TRUCK REGARDLESS AS WHETHER IT HAS A FIFTH WHEEL COUPLING OR NOT. 
EDIT: was doing my peice of artwork while ROG posted his 
psv8:
think what rog is saying anyone who is able to drive a 7.5ton can drive a tractor unit providing weight does not exxed 7.5ton .
NOT CORRECT
A C1 (max 7.5 tonne) licence would NOT in 99.9999999% of cases be enough to drive an artic unit because the PLATED WEIGHT of the unit is well over 7.5 tonnes
ROG:
TO DRIVE A COMPLETE ARTIC UNIT
what if i want to drive a uncomplete artic unit do i need a different licence 
Cruise Control:
YOU CAN LEGALLY DRIVE A “UNIT” ON A CLASS 2 (C) LICENCE AS IT’S A RIGID TRUCK REGARDLESS AS WHETHER IT HAS A FIFTH WHEEL COUPLING OR NOT.EDIT: was doing my peice of artwork while ROG posted his
Yours is prettier but mine is BIGGER than yours
Lets simplify
Can you drive a rigid (up to 38t) on your licence. Class 2 or new money C
if yes then you can drive a unit as long as its not towing (well apart from the 750kg rule anyway)
Ergo you do not need a class one or C+E to drive a solo unit
Driving a unit with a car licence (grandfather rights), or C1 is only possbile when the unit is downplated to 7.5 tonnes or less
Alexander says simples!
Cruise Control:
ROG:
TO DRIVE A COMPLETE ARTIC UNITwhat if i want to drive a uncomplete artic unit
Yes - you need an uncomplete C licence - believe that and you’ll believe anything
