What size of truck can you drive on a class "C"

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

Can you tell me what size of truck you can drive on a class “C” license,is there a limit to weight or number of wheels ect.?
I was told I could drive anything as long as it does not have a fifth wheel and bends in the middle,is this correct ?
Thanks, Jamie.

2

Yep any size as long as it is within C & U regs and as long as you dont have a trailer more than 750kg in weight!

3

Just a quick one on this topic as I have often wondered. On my current class 2, can I drive the big quarry tippers?? Would the weight of them invalidate my books?? Just wondering as a local lad is looking a driver and although I know the drawbacks to tipperwork, Id have a go at it to see what its like for the experience more than anything!!

regards in this festive period

Kev

4

Your driving licence is for HGV’s on the road. Technically I don’t think you need a licence at all, to drive the really big quarry tippers in a quarry. Having said that, most operators would want a driver to have some idea, so would expect an applicant to have an HGV licence.

I used to deliver steel to the Terex plant near Bellshill, they build quarry plant (among other stuff) and the small 6 wheeler articulated tippers where 40 tonne payload and bigger. That is overweight for uk roads unless you are on Special Types, which as it says on the tin, is specialist.

5

For cat C (or class 2 as was) you can drive ANYTHING so long as it’s a rigid.
2 Axles up to 18 tonnes, 3 axles 26 tonnes, 4 axles at 32 tonnes.

You can even drive busses to and from workshops without passengers on. If it don’t bend, you can drive it. If you fancy something wierd, why not try for cranes? They’re 5 or 6 axles or more some of them. And as close to special types as class 2 gets.

6

Thanks Allikat,purrrfect answer.
regards Jamie.

7

allikat:
For cat C (or class 2 as was) you can drive ANYTHING so long as it’s a rigid.
2 Axles up to 18 tonnes, 3 axles 26 tonnes, 4 axles at 32 tonnes.

You can even drive busses to and from workshops without passengers on. If it don’t bend, you can drive it. If you fancy something wierd, why not try for cranes? They’re 5 or 6 axles or more some of them. And as close to special types as class 2 gets.

If anybody does fancy mobile crane work I have all the contact numbers for CITB approved trainers.

Be warned though a mobile crane " ticket" is not cheap, about four years ago it was a two week residential course and the cost was just over two grand!!!

On top of this you will need a class two licence.

Like most jobs this will get you a start but it will not be on the big stuff, you will have to work your way up to those.

Pay is not much better than that for driving either, crane drivers down this way earn about a pound an hour more!!!

If you do want to get on the big stuff be prepared for lots of time away from home and plenty of weekend work!!!

cheers
STEVE.

8

You will also need a CITB or equivalent certificate to drive a dump truck in a quarry. These also do not come cheap.

9

Sorry Allikat but any vehicle over 8 passenger seats used used on hire & reward is PCV & any vehicle over 16 seats is always PCV, however it is registerd.
So unless you are a PCV full or provisional licence holder you cannot drive a bus or a coach on the road.

10

Sorry, alan, but…

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/operator_info.htm:
Holders of a full category C (LGV) driving licence can also drive large buses provided they have held the licence for at least two years and the vehicle is;

(i) damaged or defective and being driven to a place of repair or being road tested following repair;
and
(ii) is not used for the carriage of any person who is not connected with its repair or road testing.

OK, it has to be defective and not carrying passengers, but that’s basically what allikat said.

11

I drove a converted ex- London Transport double-decker bus for two months on a promotional tour for Buena Vista (Disney`s video marketing division) promoting a “Lion King” video.

The seats had been removed and the bus converted into a video theatre/ painting room/ computer room.

I dont hold a PSV licence but didnt need one as the bus had been re-registered as an HGV.

Not sure if this is relevant to anything at all…

Vince