I know this has been asked before but I’ve searched and can’t find it.
Is it allowed by law, to drive a fully functional tractor unit complete with 5th wheel and under 7500kgs on a normal car license??
I ask for a specific reason which will become clear once I get a definate yes/no.
direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Dr … DG_4022499
Basically you can, but only if it has been de-classified as an LGV.
As long as the vehicle weights less then 3500kgs or falls into any of the ones categorised above then yes the 5th wheel does not factor into it. its like saying someone with a B licence can’t drive a car fitted with a towbar unless they get a B+E
Motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3,500 kg having not more than 8 passenger seats with a trailer up to 750 kg (1,700 lb).
Combinations of vehicles in Category B and a trailer, where MAM of the combination does not exceed 3,500 kg (7,700 lb) and the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle.
Example: A vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a MAM of 2 tonnes coupled with a trailer with a MAM of 1.25 tonnes could be driven by the holder of a category B entitlement, as the MAM of the combination does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle.
will have to be a small tractor unit to get under them weights
nedflanders:
will have to be a small tractor unit to get under them weights
Most 4x2s can be put over a weighbridge at less than 7.5 tonnes if you take a few bits and pieces off.
The tour busses that the bands use can be driven on a minibus licence because they have less the 16 seats, so if you are old enough you could drive them on a car licence…
BuzzardBoy:
Is it allowed by law, to drive a fully functional tractor unit complete with 5th wheel and under 7500kgs on a normal car license??
Would need to be a pre-1997 licence to include C1.
nedflanders:
will have to be a small tractor unit to get under them weights
The truck in question is a 4x2 Daf CF flat cab, which comes in well under 7500kgs
we have lots of ivecos and volvo s weighted in at 7.5 with small fuel tanks and day cabs and i know they are borderline to be plated at that
Must have to take a lot off it i always imagined that crowd i work for knew someone that knew someone 
Yeah, the 3.5t limit for a car licence is just that, a limit. Between 3500kg and 7.5t is C1 and I think 7.5t to 36t is C?? Either way it can’t bend,
Actually does anyone know the upper weight limit for a rigid? (normal rigid I mean, none of this special stuff like cranes etc)
Even if said tractor unit weighed less than 7.5t it still weighs over 3.5t so it’s deffo a C1 licence on weight but I doubt it’s marked as a C1 vehicle so on those grounds it’s a minimum of a C providing the fifth wheel is “incapacitated” or something like that.
Yeah, the 3.5t limit for a car licence is just that, a limit. Between 3500kg and 7.5t is C1 and I think 7.5t to 36t is C?? Either way it can’t bend,
Actually does anyone know the upper weight limit for a rigid? (normal rigid I mean, none of this special stuff like cranes etc)Even if said tractor unit weighed less than 7.5t it still weighs over 3.5t so it’s deffo a C1 licence on weight but I doubt it’s marked as a C1 vehicle so on those grounds it’s a minimum of a C providing the fifth wheel is “incapacitated” or something like that.
There isn’t a upper limit C is any vehicle over 7.5t
I’m sure there’s a limit as to what the maximum weight a rigid can be though. Something around the 36-38t rings a bell, might be wrong.
Update;
Found it
assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/d … -guide.pdf
Rigid vehicle max is 30-32t
If it’s still plated at 44 ton, you can’t even drive it on a class 2 licence, let alone a car licence.
berewic:
If it’s still plated at 44 ton, you can’t even drive it on a class 2 licence, let alone a car licence.
There’s no smiley but you are joking aren’t you?
berewic:
If it’s still plated at 44 ton, you can’t even drive it on a class 2 licence, let alone a car licence.
Even If its plated at 144t as long as its not pulling a trailer you can drive the unit on a cat c licence
damion.p:
berewic:
If it’s still plated at 44 ton, you can’t even drive it on a class 2 licence, let alone a car licence.Even If its plated at 144t as long as its not pulling a trailer you can drive the unit on a cat c licence
as long as the unit doesn’t weigh more than 32t 
Sorry, I need to correct my initial post.
A car license with 7.5t entitlement(C1)
C10HOO:
damion.p:
berewic:
If it’s still plated at 44 ton, you can’t even drive it on a class 2 licence, let alone a car licence.Even If its plated at 144t as long as its not pulling a trailer you can drive the unit on a cat c licence
as long as the unit doesn’t weigh more than 32t
Nope. Doesn’t matter the weight. It is the structure of the vehicle that counts. 150t cranes can be driven on a Cat C licence if they are of a rigid construction.
32t is the limit imposed for a 4 axle rigid vehicle of standard design.
berewic:
If it’s still plated at 44 ton, you can’t even drive it on a class 2 licence, let alone a car licence.
You can drive any type of tractor unit on a Class C (HGV2) licence. This has been covered many times on here before.
C10HOO:
I’m sure there’s a limit as to what the maximum weight a rigid can be though. Something around the 36-38t rings a bell, might be wrong.Update;
Found it
assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/d … -guide.pdfRigid vehicle max is 30-32t
Looking at that link how do our 8 wheeler tippers get away with being run at 32t on all round steel suspension?