Hi
I am trying to establish the legality, of driving a tractor unit, without a trailer, with a non HGV licence.
I have been told, that it may be possible, if the 5th wheel is dismantled, therefore no trailer can be attached.
Is this possible, or are there other ways of driving the cab unit legally, without a HGV licence.
Regards Martin Burney
I am not 100% sure but I think they closed to no 5th clause when they reviewed legislation - I believe if the unit is for your personnel use it may be driven on a car licence but it is best to check with DVLA and the Ministry - if also depends on when you passed your test and the entitlements on your licence.
just to ad to the bikers comments, i,m sure if you look back in previous posts…(not that long ago) there was some info on the subject of units and 5th wheels etc etc may be of help to you 
There are a couple of things that need to be taken into consideration.
First of all the tractor unit would need to have a working weight of less than 7.5 tonnes, the working weight is the weight of the vehicle, in it’s working condition, without fuel.
Second you need a category C1 licence, licences issued before 1997 (I think it was) automatically have a C1 entitlement. Not having the 5th wheel fitted makes it an incomplete vehicle for the purposes of the regulations and that is why you can drive it on a C1 and don’t need an LGV licence.