I have a UK reg. Mercedes Benz 814D Vario that I use in France. I return to the UK monthly to collect goods for our market. I have had this truck for four years. It has been in the processes of being registered in France for nearly four years. The little man from DRIRE has said I can now get my carte gris. But for some reason he has in the last few months decided that my 7.5 ton truck is in fact a 6.5 ton truck!!! this is a take it a leave it situation. I have decided to get the carte gris and new number plate. As he will not put any more time into our dossier. So I want to complain to DRIRE. So if any one can tell me why my truck needs to be down rated please do. It is a 18ft ali box with a sleeper pod and tail lift. Sold new in 2000 in the uk with box and tail lift, I fitted pod. Weight of pod 85kg, it is a day cab. He has suggested the front axle is to heavy ( 1.900kg ) empty because it has three front seats and they are behind the wheels!!! The M/B tag lists it as 7490kg gross 2.500 Axel 1. & 5.600 Axel 2. The UK log book the same.
As I have said this has been ongoing for four years. I do fully understand that they a very reluctant to register non French Trucks. But I’m willing to put the effort into causing as much fuss as I can. But I need ammunition.
Yes my truck is a 7.5t truck until DRIER decided it is in fact only 6.5t
What I need to know is how to make a complaint. Thank you for the web sites but they only give information not advise.
The main problem is this is a commercial vehicle and not cover by an EU agreement. This means the little man from DRIRE can just make things up, sounds daft? want a few examples.
I brought my new lights in Germany direct from Hella. Little man very upset said I should have brought in France because they have “special French kite marks” also three times the price. I had to get Hella to tell him he is not special.
Had to change my nice European Tachograph for a special French one.
My Radcliff tail lift with test, cert of Com, CE number etc. Got to come off!!!
Had to take truck to Paris as that is the nearest M/B dealer that could inspect my truck 1,600 km round trip.
As I said I need help to get past the little man and see if what he has done is correct. Has anyone out there had to question any of DRIREs decisions? How did you do it. Talking to them you just get the garlic shrug, phone he’s on holiday, email they haven’t got.
I think I’d be inclined to leave it on UK plates,seeing as you are in the UK every month.
I bought a LHD Range Rover here in Belgium some years ago,took it to the UK,registered it,taxed and insured it in the UK and saved myself a fortune by not paying the extortianate Belgian rates.All I had to do was take it back to the UK every year for it’s MoT.
And it was converted to run on LPG too,even more money saved!
Sorry the 56 is an age thing. thanks for the posts. Not sure what to do as getting past a decision seems to be the hardest thing. In France you are not allowed ( by law I think ) to question a professionals opinion and they take it very seriously.
So I need evidence to prove that my truck is in fact a 7.5t. Just because M/B put a plate on it and designed it to meet that weight criteria is not enough. DRIRE just need a funny little man with a calculator and hey presto you have lost a ton!!! make a good diet plan.
He has now surgested I uprate the front suspension!! from 2.5 to 2.8 ton but cant explain why I need to do that. It is an option particularly for the cash in transit 814D. But my truck would then be modified!!
Incidentely I have hadthree road side controls over the last two years. This is where they weigh, tach, doc, and inspect the truck plus sometimes breathalyse you. Each time I have been loaded (the truck not me) and well over 6.5 and every thing has been fine. So what happens now with a new weight plate. I’m sure they do not look at the plate they just know what you should weigh.
I am writing to the regional director but need as much evidence as possible.
Could have taken it to Strasbourg!! would have been nice trip but not the point. I live and work in France that is the reason I want to French register it in France. I had the truck anyway. The truck gets used as much in UK as France so RHD no problem the French don’t really have 7.5 ton as popular size truck. In France the same truck from a M/B dealer would have been 20,000 euros for a five year old 814D vario!! our local dealer wanted 11,000 euros for a 1988 814 with a dent in every corner and 800.00 km. In the UK my truck cost me less than 5.000 pounds.
On the plus side in France under 11 ton no road tax, no o. licence, no 12 week test etc. The French police have been very understanding, I just mention DRIRE and we are all mates. Even the UK police can understand why my tax ran out in 2005, they are not happy but can do sod all about it. Even Ken & Boris can’t get me for the new LEZ or parking fines in london if I don’t want to pay.
Don’t get me wrong I do pay the LEZ & my parking fines but only if I feel they are justified. For example my wife paid my congestion charge 4 hour late one time. The computer took her money, did not tell her your going to get a ticket any way, so why pay now!! They did not deduct our payment from the fine. It was the only day I had been to London that year!! So no I did not pay that fine.
Before you all start on about non UK trucks & truckers not paying there way. In France the vast majority of employees pay 50% of there wages in tax and there companies pay another 100% in tax. That is why you can drive across France in a day with very little congestion lots of rest stops with litter bins, toilets, free parking and restaurants that sell food you can not only eat but enjoy. All this is paid for by tax on the employees and employers. Not by taxing the motorist to death. Then spending your money on housing DUCKS.
Next time you drive back into the UK through Dover just look around at what your own country thinks of you as professional drivers.
I consider my self a European I do not love France or hate the UK (we came from Tunbridge Wells which is great) But you as UK truckers are getting a rough deal.
Well put Peter old man?(it was thought at 1st that was your departement )
I tried to google DRIRE in your region,but
the 'puter (or my server) threw a wobbly.
I’m trying to contact an old mate in Agen
(Your DRIRE head office) but no luck so far.
DaveL:
Well put Peter old man?(it was thought at 1st that was your departement )
I tried to google DRIRE in your region,but
the 'puter (or my server) threw a wobbly.
I’m trying to contact an old mate in Agen
(Your DRIRE head office) but no luck so far.
Earlier you wrote.
So I need evidence to prove that my truck is in fact a 7.5t. Just because M/B put a plate on it and designed it to meet that weight criteria is not enough.
Do you have an old V5 or a new V5C?
The V5C is apparently the only proof you need as it already has the type approval details.
or
You have the option of lodging a formal complaint with the Director of DRIRE Aquitaine:
Direction Regionale de l’Industrie, de la Recherche et de l’Environnement
Thank you for the reply. Will contact them this week. My UK log book is a V5C and they have had it four four years now.
I have been sent my new weights this week, different from last month. But still make no sence.
PTAC ( Loaded max ) is now 6.867 kg
PTRA (max with trailer) 10.990
Front axel 2.500
Rear Axel 5.600
Why is there a differance between my PTAC and the combined axel weights??
My M/B plate, V5c and the old ministery plate all say 7.500 for the PTAC
)