Tramper:
Here’s the link for how to tax your Private HGV Over 3500kgs
direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Ow … G_10012527
Pfff: it’s cheaper to tax private HGV then my own car! That’s not makes any sense to me…
I run an18 tonne rigid on three axles taxed goods for £200 a year, cheaper than my car!
You can register it as a private HGV (and therefore pay the private HGV tax rate. However, the tacho exemption was removed in April 2006. Goods vehicles with a MAM over 7.5t are now required to use a tacho, even for private use. Under 7.5t are still exempt.
See this link for details - in the bottom right hand corner under “Exemptions and National Derogations”.
Also, the “private use” clause was always a “National Derogation” - i.e. each individual EU member state could choose whether to allow it or not. If you’re driving across the EU, there’s a good chance you’d be going through a country that hasn’t exempted private use.
MrFlibble:
See this link for details - in the bottom right hand corner under “Exemptions and National Derogations”…
link mended 
mrpj:
Tramper:
No. you do not need to use the Tachograph as it is a private HGVPrivate HGV is now limited to 7.5t and under though.
MrFlibble:
You can register it as a private HGV (and therefore pay the private HGV tax rate. However, the tacho exemption was removed in April 2006. Goods vehicles with a MAM over 7.5t are now required to use a tacho, even for private use. Under 7.5t are still exempt.See this link for details - in the bottom right hand corner under “Exemptions and National Derogations”.
Also, the “private use” clause was always a “National Derogation” - i.e. each individual EU member state could choose whether to allow it or not. If you’re driving across the EU, there’s a good chance you’d be going through a country that hasn’t exempted private use.
My appologies, Yes, your quite right, execpt it was April 2007 not 2006.
The confusion arose because we are STILL exempt as the truck is over 25 years old vosa.gov.uk/vosacorp/reposit … 20Form.pdf
mrpj:
gnasty gnome:
Your insurance will only allow you cover to drive someone else’s vehicle if he’s insured it for himself to drive too.I don’t believe there is a requirement for this.
I think the issue is to do with third party liability if you have to leave the vehicle for any reason. Whilst your insurance will cover you third party while you’re driving it, if you park it up somewhere then go off for a potty break or to grab a bite to eat you’re leaving a completely uninsured vehicle behind and so what happens if, for example, the handbrake fails and it rolls into someone? If the owner has a policy on it covering such third party risks you don’t have an issue as it is covered under that policy once you leave the vehicle.
Paul
Apart form the insurance issue, which you’ll need a copy of to take with you.
What about the registration document you’re going to need to take with you, plus the letter of authorisation that you can drive it, from the owner. ?
This sort of vehicle movement is exactly what trade plates are for.
I took my Volvo F89 to Holland like this (amongst other vehicles)
I’ve had a set for years. I put them on the MID database (have legitimate access via the insurance people) , the insurance covers me for ANY vehicle up to a value (and licenced to drive obviously) and off I go. I’ve agreed with the insurance company to cover me on foreign registered vehicles and full time green card.
I’ve been picking up and dropping off old classic vehicles in Europe for years and never had a problem. Just make sure what you’re driving is roadworthy though.
Latest mission I have on at the moment is bringing a Mk2 ■■■■■■ back from Italy. First of the Di’s and 4speed O/D!
Nice ■■■■■■ MK2, I liked those. Is it thee first off the line ? Rare tailgate rear door I see.
Airpikey, how do you get on with registration & owner docs then ?
DAFMAD:
Nice ■■■■■■ MK2, I liked those. Is it thee first off the line ? Rare tailgate rear door I see.Airpikey, how do you get on with registration & owner docs then ?
And opening quaterlights!!
Depends on the vehicle and country.
In the last year, between flying, I’ve brought back a nice W124 Merc E300TD Turbo from Berlin, a 1974 Unimog,an American registered split screen crewcab from Belgium, Scania 143 from Holland and the Transit is imminent with another Unimog crewcab soon.
All different scenarios. No problems from any authorities.
Merc: With german vehicles I’ve just bolted the trade plates on, saving export plate fees (normally only valid 7 days with insurance).
Unimog: This was from a friend and he trusted me to drive on his German plates and post them back to him once I’d got it home. Result and all legal!
■■■■■■: I’ll get the equivalent of an MOT for the ■■■■■■ before setting off. It needs tyres as it sat for a bit. Fired straight up though!
Splitty: All I did was drive on Yank plates with the trades in the windows.
143: The dealer was so straight he’d already got some export plates on it but with no charge. I think he thought is was a dodgy cash sale to Russia!
I’d say the golden rules are, good broker, good insurance cover, let them know what you’re doing, roadworthy vehicle (sort tyres, brakes, exhaust, get a local MOT etc) the more paperwork the better, carry tools, don’t drive like a ■■■■ and take it easy.
I enjoy the challenge of bringing an old vehicle back hundreds of miles using my initiative.
Airpikey:
And opening quaterlights!!
I had the earlier 2.4 York engine SWB, which was good. But it didn’t have them. Was that foreign spec ?
DAFMAD:
Airpikey:
And opening quaterlights!!
Lived in Italy all its life. Koln built 130Di.
Airpikey wrote:-
This sort of vehicle movement is exactly what trade plates are for.
I took my Volvo F89 to Holland like this (amongst other vehicles)
I understood that trade plates were only for use in the UK?
gnasty gnome:
Try telling that to the coppers. If the vehicle which you are driving is not registered on the MID (Motor Insurance Database) then you will have a very hard time persuading the police that you are legally covered to drive the vehicle.
I agree with you here, the above is the most likely scenario. However, if you are insured (even if the vehicle isn’t) and it went to court I can’t see how you’d be convicted of driving without insurance when this clearly isn’t the case. I’d agree that being a named driver on the owner’s policy is probably best though.
Tramper:
OK, here goes…
Yes. You can drive an artic unit on a cat C licence, with the 5th wheel in place.
No. You will not need a O’ licence as it will be a private HGV
No. you do not need to use the Tachograph as it is a private HGV (Although I would strongly advise that you do)
No. I don’t think your car insurance will cover you for a private HGV, but for around £100.00 you can get a policy which will cover you from Barry Grainger insurance.and…if you think Amsterdam is on the way from the UK to poland, I’m glad I’m not paying for the diesel.
Ayup,so where is Amsterdam then,have they moved it?He could be getting the ferry to Imuijden,so unless Im mistaken he can visit Amsterdam en route cheers Joe.
Smart Mart:
Airpikey wrote:-
This sort of vehicle movement is exactly what trade plates are for.
I took my Volvo F89 to Holland like this (amongst other vehicles)I understood that trade plates were only for use in the UK?
Doesn’t mention one way or another in the Trade Plate Guidance notes VTL 301/1.
A practical example of their use across the water is some of the old TRUCK magazine Eurotests were carried out on trade plates.
Found this quote from DVLA on another forum:-
Trade Plates are for use on vehicles temporarily in the possession of a motor trader to exempt them from the registration and licensing requirements of the ordinary motorist. There is no reciprocal agreement in force within the EU to recognise each other’s trade plates, however Germany may have a policy of recognising UK trade plates. Other countries may require a temporary registration of the vehicle before it is exported, trade plates can then be used for the journey from the UK port to the dealer’s premises.
Smart Mart:
Found this quote from DVLA on another forum:-Trade Plates are for use on vehicles temporarily in the possession of a motor trader to exempt them from the registration and licensing requirements of the ordinary motorist. There is no reciprocal agreement in force within the EU to recognise each other’s trade plates, however Germany may have a policy of recognising UK trade plates. Other countries may require a temporary registration of the vehicle before it is exported, trade plates can then be used for the journey from the UK port to the dealer’s premises.
Where does it say you cannot use them? It just says ‘may’ a lot.
Too vague a quote so it could be DVLA!
Well it doesn’t, but then it’s other countries law that would be tested and you can bet that ‘Mr le Plod’ will fine you given half a chance!
Smart Mart:
Well it doesn’t, but then it’s other countries law that would be tested and you can bet that ‘Mr le Plod’ will fine you given half a chance!
Since when does it need something special to get a fine from a Gendarme 
?
Practically I’ve never had a problem and I’ve driven some unusual vehicles back home.