When the army transport troops in a Bedford MK/MJ or modern equivalent, do the drivers require a PCV licence if carrying more than 8 of them?
No reason for asking, just an odd thought the other day.
And should they wear seatbelts?
They might get killed
No they don’t need a PSV, although most forces drivers are trained to drive PSVs as well…
They can also drive an LGV at the age of 17.
The MOD is exempt a lot of rules and reg’s that us lesser mortals have to live with. 
Thought that might be the case, but just wondered as they do put them through parrallel courses for other stuff.
Are they actually fitted with more than 8 seats though? I’ve only ever seen them with 4 in the back, well big long benches
Dunno, haven’t seen one for ages. Used to see them all the sime when I lived in Colchester. Just assumed that they were stuffed full of squaddies.
8wheels:
When the army transport troops in a Bedford MK/MJ or modern equivalent, do the drivers require a PCV licence if carrying more than 8 of them?No reason for asking, just an odd thought the other day.
I seen one on the M4 today. It was a TA one and the squaddies were all riding in a minibus behind.
8wheels The passengers all seem to crowd around the tailboard for some reason…? So even if there is two ,it looks full.
The passengers all seem to crowd around the tailboard for some reason
Can’t blame them for that, must be dire inside.
8wheels:
The passengers all seem to crowd around the tailboard for some reason
Can’t blame them for that, must be dire inside.
I have spent many a happy hour riding in the back of a Bedford. You can actually get quite comfortable (as long as you dont use the seats).
Just remember third class riding is better than first class walking anyday
Why do they all try getting a seat at the tailboard end, SO they can check the
young ladies out as they go past,or when carrying the Feamale verison of a soldier,SO they can check the young lads out,
8wheels:
When the army transport troops in a Bedford MK/MJ or modern equivalent, do the drivers require a PCV licence if carrying more than 8 of them?No reason for asking, just an odd thought the other day.
Why would they have a pcv to drive an hgv 
most of the troop carriers i see now adays are coaches or mini buses. dont think ive seen a wagon with troops in the back for donkeys.
the bedford follows behind with all that gear that dont work .you know like guns radios etc etc…
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Why would they have a pcv to drive an hgv
You need PCV rather than HGV to drive a prison van like a 10t Eurocargo
8wheels:
Why would they have a pcv to drive an hgv
You need PCV rather than HGV to drive a prison van like a 10t Eurocargo
[/quote]
Yeah but if their driving a mk then it’s hgv not pcv they require.Troops only use buses if going a fair distance,if it’s back and forward to ranges or field exercise it’s mk’s i’m affraid.Unless your a brill cream boy.
RAF if your wondering about the brill cream
The MoD has clearly stated that, whilst it exempt from the law, it will ‘comply with the spirit of the law’. Translated, it means they;ll adopt a policy of ‘best-practice’ but on the occasions that they can’t comply they’ve got a get-out clause.
Nowadays, if a driver is to exceed drivers hours regs, he/she must have a CO’s Waiver; most CO’s wouldn’t want to take accept responsibility for any ‘tired drivers’ and so compliance is the norm. Umbrella’s.
As for the TCV question (Troop Carrying Vehicle) - at this time a LGV driver can drive a Bedford with troops in the back so long as he has held his licence for that vehicle for 3 years. Best-practice dictates that the driver will hold both types of licence.
Tangent; the MoD will most likely not accept it’s military excemption for the Drivers CPC!! Most of the requirements are already met during GS Fam Trg and the MoD see’s it as an opportunity to give its vocational drivers the complete qual for civi street.
I was only expecting a couple of yes / no / maybes in answer to this, however I have now managed to cram some more random irrelevant info into my head. This knowledge will probably come in handy one day for something, so thanks all for the info.
I regulary drove troops all over the place , especially in hong kong ,19 yrs old and at that time had only passed my HGV a few months ago . That was some years back though in fact 11 years ago .
paul@midway:
I regulary drove troops all over the place , especially in hong kong ,19 yrs old and at that time had only passed my HGV a few months ago . That was some years back though in fact 11 years ago .
It was the same scenario in Cyprus whereby the ‘sprog’ had been made to drive the 'tonner cos the rest of the troops had been on the beer up Troodos. Only the young lad wasn’t experienced enough and did make one of the sharpe bends; I think it was 7 that were killed ion that incident. It was thereafter that the army tightened it’s rules.
There is a monument on the side of the road - one of the Guards Bn, IIFC.
I regulary drove troops all over the place , especially in hong kong ,19 yrs old and at that time had only passed my HGV a few months ago . That was some years back though in fact 11 years ago
your only 30 
. i know living in derbyshire ages you but [zb] me
jon