How driving licence changes could affect motorhome owners
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- Опубликовано: 21 ноя 2024
- This week on the Motorhome Matt Podcast, we're live from the Western Motorhome and Campervan Show to unpack how future driving licence changes could affect motorhome and caravan owners. Matt and Keith explore the potential changes on the horizon, including updates on digital driving licences featuring QR codes, which could simplify your documentation.
We discuss possible increases in weight limits for motorhomes under standard B licences, allowing you to drive heavier vehicles legally without needing additional certification.
Matt also shares insights into the upcoming medical assessment requirements for licence renewals and the implications this might have for those with specific medical conditions. This conversation is packed with information on how these changes could affect your motorhome adventures and what you need to keep in mind to stay compliant.
Plus, we have an exciting new product from That Leisure Shop - A Black Streak Remover designed to keep your vehicle in top shape by tackling those stubborn streaks and protecting your paintwork.
In the Q&A Tim Allen is frustrated about road tax changes after upgrading his motorhome’s weight, Ian Lynch raises a critical safety question about child seats in older motorhomes, and John Hogan asks about upgrading his halogen headlights to LED, prompting a discussion on retrofitting options and the importance of sourcing the right parts.
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This is the most informative RUclips podcast for UK motorhoming out there and I watch a lot of them👍
Thank you very much for the accolade! Very much appreciated. I’m really enjoying making them and I’m glad you are finding them useful.
Thanks again
I still use my old green paper driving licence issued way back in the 1970's for UK, Europe and Worldwide driving of cars, vans, lorries and any size CC of motorbike. 😂
No photo, and falling apart, but still valid everywhere!
There's no need to change anything or any silly medical tests etc, and still perfectly legal!
yep, still got mine issued in the early 1980's, still has my PSV on, though sadly that has lapsed as I had no need for it any more. Still use it in Europe too for hiring cars, though it's fun watching some spotty kid trying to work out what to do with it 🤣
I still have my paper licence too. But I have a photo card too. Useful for any ID check
Thanks for commenting
@@MotorhomeMatt ID check for what?! In UK you don't need an ID and abroad you'll be carrying a passport 🛂.
Hiring a car? Finance application etc
@@MotorhomeMatt not had any problems hiring a car in the UK or Europe with my paper licence. I did get an international driving licence recently for a trip to Malta just in case it was required, from a local petrol station 🙄🤣but then when I hired the car they guy said I didn't need it. Anything else, passport.
Why do people get excited with all this digital advances, it's leading to a control system ,that you will all wish never happened , ignorance is no defence
I think they call it ‘progress’.
Let’s see what is introduced!
Thanks for commenting
Look how progress has turned this country into a two tier managerial system. Don't fix which is not broken. You are part of the Boomer truth regime.
Maybe…maybe not. Depending on your state of mind
That will be coming, due to CO2 levels, you’ve done more miles up to September than allocated for the year, your licence will be revoked till the new year.
Great information. I payed for an independent doctors assessment recently as I am 70 in 3 days and the DVLA have sent me and my GP further forms to fill in and it’s bloody frustrating as it now goes back to the DVLA medical team to be reassessed. Not knowing that my C1 license will be returned and will I still be able to drive my Motorhome ! Fingers crossed !
Wishing you a very happy birthday! Here’s hoping the DVLA do the same with the right outcome for you!
DVLA Medical Group are clamping down on independant doctors - better off with your own GP.
As a retired HGV one driver of 40 years I do not think it’s a good idea to let 17 year olds driving 44 Ton lorries, some under 25’s can’t drive a bloody car without wrapping it round a tree. Plus when I started employers would not insure anybody under 25.
It’s a fair concern but at 17 with training I personally would have relished driving an artic rig. I had to wait until I was older. It’s about applying yourself and having an ability. The training will be key here. Thanks for your comment Martin
@@MotorhomeMatt I can see your point Matt, I told my Dad at 3 years old I wanted to be a lorry driver when I grew up, after watching cannonball on TV. I had to wait until I was 25 to get my class one, I left school at 15 and all the jobs I had over the years were just jobs, some involved driving small vans just waiting for the opportunity to get driving the big stuff. I would have loved the opportunity to drive the big stuff at 17, in fact I nearly join the army as they train you on HGV at 17 back then, but my mum was dead against this, as in those days you got sent to Northern Ireland. When I started the lorries had crash gearbox, no Power steering and no bed, but now you just steer them, just about everything is automatic, the last 5 years of my career was dead easy. Sorry to go on, but as you can tell I miss the big rigs, these days it’s just big car and caravan. Cheers Matt your video was very interesting.👍
I'm always concerned when everything goes on your mobile phone, batteries go flat, phones get nicked by the thousands.
I have a plastic bank card, I have a photo driving license, I have a plastic Motorhome & Caravan Club card, I'd prefer to keep it that way!
Do you have one of those cool flip down multiple card holders too?! I still have my blockbuster membership card!!
Or some people may not even have a smartphone
Something that may be worth exploring for a later episode is the DVLA's requirement for re-registration of a van to Motor Caravan because the DVLA appear to be mis-interpreting the laws around this that have no such requirements for graphics, fixed beds etc as stipulated in the category types law that was introduced way back in the 70s.
I believe they have no actual guidance and are making it up as they go along. I’ve tried to get the DVLA on the podcast many times. I’ve not given up and hope one day I can nail them down!
What should I ask them?
@@MotorhomeMatt I would need to look up the law/regs but I recall watching a video about this where the person had actually procured the "vehicle type registration" (can't remember the name of the document) but I found this:
www.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk/vehicle-type-approval/what-is-vehicle-type-approval/type-approval-category-definitions/#22_Category_M_%E2%80%93_Power-driven_vehicles_having_at_least_four_wheels_and_used_for_the_carriage_of_passengers
And in section 2.5.1 the requirements are nowhere near as strict as the DVLA's so clearly the DVLA are taking the Vehicle Certification Agency's rules and adding to them.
My question would be simple:
Why are you taking these rules and adding to them?
It took me an age to go through loops to renew my Hgv licence at 60 years old. 17 year olds driving trucks. No. I took my class 1 at 44 years old with driving experience. It takes about five years to fully get a grip with driving artics or drawbars. 22:18 22:23
I was younger than that when I took mine but I’d had years of driving a 7.5t truck. If quality training and assessment is in place it can work well. That would depend on the framework for driver training and the fees that could be sustained.
Thanks for commenting
Led headlights will fit and plug in, as plug there, but won't work without the ECU being reprogrammed to say they there. I'm still bit wary they would work, as know people who have had them swapped back to work. As regards your blue bulbs Matt I've fitted the Osram H7's giving 200% more brightness, and are a white light, perfectly legal unlike HID upgrades.
Cost £22 a pair from Euro Car Parts, there's normally a shop in most towns ! Regards Sam in Cannock . . .
P.s. See you weekend at Malton show.
Hi guys, have been fitted LED bulb units for years without issue or re programming any ECU. Most modern LED,s have built in fans and are straightforward plug and play as a normal bulb. Just changed over a vehicle with H7 main beam and H11 dipped today without issue but did have to realign to its centre point. As long as it is a reputable OEM they will comply on lux (brightness). So enjoy a brighter drive.
Thanks for sharing this!
@michaelstanley3961
Hi Mike, I was referring to if you swap out complete headlight unit's from halogen to hid with built in drl's sorry. I've fitted the separate drl light fittings below in the recess for £134 a pair, and they look great 👍 wired to go off with headlights as they should. Personally I tgink for how often we use the headlights at night I think the upgraded osram 200 are more than sufficient for rainy day's etc. But everyone to their own I suppose, good luck !
Hi Matt and Keith, thanks for the blog and sharing all this very interesting information especially the driving licenses. Hopefully the changes will help reduce the number of unfit people pottering around on the roads, hope so anyway. Looking forward to learning more about your new range of cleaning products, it would be lovely to discover places in the country where we can take our motorhome in for a wash on the outside. Any ideas? We are eight weeks into full-time Van life and Melvyn the Motorhome could really do with a bath!
Best wishes Zoe, Malish and Keeva the Pickle.
The problems in my area are not so much ‘ unfair pottering’ people - but raving idiot young mothers racing (literally) to pick their kids up from school.
Are you guys still around the North Somerset area? Give Miles Valeting a call. +44 7836 312234
Awesome mobile valeter. George will come to you!
If you are local we should meet up! I saw you stopped with Tonk at the Star pub.
Back in the day, no license was required if one isn't banned or disqualified from obtaining one. That's sensible, and I'm sticking with that. We have rights to use roads, irrespective of DVLA delusions.
Thanks for commenting.
Enjoy the potholes
I remember when the PSV age was reduced from 21 to 18 and basically allowed drivers who had no driving experience lose with busses and coaches, and it caused all sorts of issues with young bus drivers driving around like boy racers. Reducing the HGV is quite frightening, regardless of training.
What could possibly go wrong eh?!
Best video I’ve seen years.
Thank you
Wow, thanks! That’s quite a compliment!
Australia has recently moved to Digital Driver's Licence. We still have the Licence that looks like a credit card, but it has holographic and a QR code. This card has also been digitalised and it is also an App on my phone. I had to update my phone last May as the 10 years had expired. This new licence is also for 10 years. I have just re-newed my Australian Passport last month. It has also a large card/page that is holographic with several photos of me. We have not had paper licences since the early 1990's. Kind regards, Stuart
A great insight thanks Stuart! Regards to you down under!
@@MotorhomeMatt - I have read my message again and seen a mistake. I didn't need to update the phone, I had to update the Driver's Licence. We have to update/replace them every 10 years as they have our photo on them.
A good, well presented video. It still bugs me that I have to pay over £400 to tax my 2 litre petrol Toyota Avensis when a motorhome is still only £325. ----- Oh, and while we're here. Digital licence? QR code? What about folk like myself that don't have a smart phone??? I have a Nokia and a laptop........
Some road tax rates do seem odd. But a per mile model is often fought against!
The digital licence types would be in addition to existing formats
Spec savers first, then apply to renew the licence.
And a coffee. Mines white none thanks
very good video so informative ,keep them coming
Thank you! That’s for watching and commenting
Medicals conducted by the so called ‘Doctors on wheels’ where you meet them in hotels or in vans in lay bys, are no longer accepted by the DVLA.
This is certainly true for the HGV medical and I doubt it’s any different for drivers of other vehicle classes.
That’s interesting thank you! What do HGV drivers need to do now? The lay-by Dr was always very convenient
“Doctors on Wheels (DoW) medicals are banned by the DVLA:
When the ban was put in place: The DVLA banned DoW medicals on June 20, 2019.
Why the ban was put in place: The DVLA banned DoW medicals after an investigation into the quality of D4 medicals. The investigation was prompted by claims that DoW was not completing D4 medicals properly, and that unhealthy drivers were being passed as fit to drive.
What a D4 medical assessment is: A D4 medical assessment is required for category C license holders and includes medical and sight assessment tests”
As far as I know it’s still possible to gain a medical from not only doctor’s surgery but other companies offering the service.
It’s just the company Doctors On Wheels that have been banned
Thanks for sharing that.
@@MotorhomeMatt - I've had a couple of those (not the last couple though, they have been with my own GP) - as long as you can get in & out of the surgery/office unaided, have a measurable pulse & read the top letter on the eye chart then that's about it.
No way should 17 year olds be driving HGV's, there is lots of evidence that fundamentally they are not developed until the age of 25, and even that will vary between individuals. The age limits are one thing, but actual experience of driving, supervised, unsupervised, as a passenger, various vehicles, at night, on various road types in multiple conditions, should be included, HGV driving is a high risk activity. Incremental licensing, testing, re-testing, health checks are all needed. Now some of these costs, etc. should be borne by Licensing authorities, as the taxation of HGV's should allow for training and assessment.
It certainly seems a ridiculous suggestion. Perhaps it won’t happen?
The DVLA as you say did not update all details I got in touch and they updated it and sent an updated v5c so while they don't automatically do it they do it if you pester them about it they will.
Awesome! Glad you got yours sorted but this is not always the case for everyone it seems. Thanks so much for sharing and commenting
It's not LAW ( Land Air Water). It is legislation! Statutes and Contracts.
Thanks for commenting
Ageism at its very best! Persecute the older generation on testing and re licensing charges whilst the age groups who cause the most accidents get away with less regulation and costs!
Yup that would seem very true! Tho not sure it’s deliberate ageism but certainly seems very targeted. Thanks for commenting
Get the doddery old buggers off the road.
Another good episode guys well done loving it
Thank you Dave very kind of you to say so
37:55 Interesting one on seat belts for us guys in France. Not sure if it's the same as the UK?, Many motorhomes have six berth as thier sleeping capacity yet when you look on the vehicle doc's (in France again maybe the UK) it says 5 persons max, Which is the case for my van. There have been reports that when the van is taken for its MOT in France they fail them because it's illegal to have more seat belts (the manufacturer fits 6 seat belts) than the vehicle docs permit.
So even as it sleeps 6 people you can only drive on the roads with 5 people. Is this the same for the UK Matt?
Btw Great talk really enjoyed it 🙂
Our vehicle registration document states number of travelling seats which is different to berths. So perhaps 5 belted seats but sleeps 6.
Here in Blighty it’s not illegal to have 2 belted seats in a motorhome that sleeps 6. And this is quite a common layout feature! Thanks for commenting
Were your comments re DVLA not changing the taxation class based on any factual statement or published process change from the DVLA?
I am aware of some reports this is happening but have not seen anything official nor the scope of changes it applies to.
First hand conversation with people who have been affected by this and updates from SVTech.
Thanks for watching and commenting
Merci les gars, j'aime suivre vos podcast , les problèmes de charge sont similaires en France, le récent lancement du Chausson Challenger X ElectriX augmente la charge utile du poids des batteries....pour information, c'est un rétrofit conçu par la société anglaise BEDEO et installé par le spécialiste français du 4*4 DANGEL ....mais hélas facturé + 23000 € !
Thank you very much! Merci beaucoup. Thanks for your kind words
As an Irish Driving license holder - this sounds good. A rare piece of sense from the EU. Even the digital license is interesting, as getting a new one in Ireland takes months - so you put yours very safe before going on holiday so you dont loose it!
It’s certainly one to watch! Thanks for commenting
Surprised that, as it is a government requirement for the 70+ C1 medical, there is no national £ rate stipulated for the medical.
Good point! It seems suppliers charge what they want!!
My Doctors, refused to take electronic payment, for my medical, they insisted on £180 in Cash. I do not get paid in untaxed cash, so I 4:36 refused, I have previously held PCV and cat C +E. I earn my living driving Cat B , so I drive 1800 - 2000 miles every week. I refused to pay more.
The vehicles can carry 1000kgs of payload with a diesel engine, with unlimited range, or the electric version with about 600kgs and a range of Only 80 miles then having to take a break whilst charging of about 35minutes. For my business that would not work at all. It would lengthen my working day by at least 3hours.
Only cash is interesting! I wonder where that’s going?!
As for EV range this is of course improving for vans and will continue to do so. But for many a fossil fuelled vehicle is still the only practical option.
Hello Matt, many of us “up-platers” are getting their V5C returned with only the revenue weight updated to say 4000kg in my case. From what I have read on t’internet forums it appears that this is a mistake by DVLA and that on the V5C the Max. permissible mass should also be 4000kg.
On our V5C max permissible mass still reads 3500kg.
What advice can you give owners regarding this?
I am sure there would be consequences for owners who are unaware, eg. travelling abroad if stopped by the police would they be sympathetic to us protesting that our vehicle docs are incorrect?
Perhaps this is something the NCC could be taking up on behalf of owners as well, as they do have the ear of DVLA albeit maybe a deaf ear!!
I understand the NCC have declined any involvement but I am checking for myself. I’m told there are no consequences but if my V5 misrepresented my vehicle I’d want it corrected! Of only to make a sale easier.
Thanks for commenting.
Re medical after the age of 70. Why not i'm a professional driver and have to take a medical every 5yrs if i want to continue driving professional along with CPC & tacho card. And in all honesty i think it's right. I think lowering the age of HGV driver is not a good idea. Why not let PSV & HGV cross over to drive either vehicle as they are used to driving the heavier vehicles.
Great comments thanks! Your suggestion would make sense
@@MotorhomeMatt - bad idea - there are many differences in the way you drive a PCV compared to a LGV.
Thank god for my Spanish licence......but a very interesting blog guys..as usual. Crowd needed some energy drinks lol.
I forgive them… it was a hot day!
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Great thanks on the licence bit
You are welcome! Thanks for commenting
Digital licence what happens if you don't have mobile phone ?
It is anticipated that a digital licence would exist to compliment a photo ID card or even paper licence I guess in the UK. Thanks for commenting
Possible changes, etc; UNTIL the DVLA announces the changes then they ain't happenening - except in the world of 'Possible!'
I live in a world of ‘possible’!
Thanks for commenting and we will keep a close eye on this
Any way they can get your licence cancelled they will do that get your bus passes ready
Darn I’m too young for a free bus pass!
They've taken away the winter fuel payment. Whats the betting that they will go after the bus passes next
Great, if they take my licence away I can retire cos I drive for a living whoo hoo!
You need an excuse?! Retire and go where YOU please!!!
So you've given truckwash a new name TFR. Traffic film remover its dirt cheap.
Dangerous stuff. Don’t drink it
Would advise before sending your license off take a photo of it, it has been known for categorise being accidentally removed and in any challenges you have to prove you had it in the first place unless things have improved 🤔😂
Thank you yes great advice! Thanks for commenting
Intending to buy new motorhome in March/April 2025. I can up plate to 3650kg for free when buying, so given the potential license adoption changes and DVLA changes, would it make sense to do it? I have C1 grandfather rights and payload of motorhome is only 350kg.
The first thing to do is to check the vehicle plate. What does it say at the top number? This is the heaviest it could go to. Then it would be a case of confirming this with DVLA and registering it at that weight. I would call SVTech and check the process with them. They will want a few details from the chassis including VIN and wheel size. The dealer can then be informed on what to do. It would mean your road tax would be £165pa.
@MotorhomeMatt
Matt by the sound of it, the only way of getting the lower £165 rfl now is if buying a new van and dealer is pre-registering it @ 3,650+kg so it's recorded on the V5 from day one???
This then is not up plating? Although let's say the manufacturer produced and plated it at the factory weight of 3,500kg 🤷♂️ Sam.
I agree! Get it first registered at its max weight. This is usually done by the supplying dealer
Just step into line with the EU, that is where most camper vans go.
I know… let’s join the EU. Ha ha
But I agree using a camper of any sort in the EU is so easy compared with UK!
I thought they were all on the NC500! 😂
We tried that once before.
Wash your roof and keep van waxed .
Yup hair free always best lol! Thanks for joining us and commenting
Brought to you from the goverments "department of making life shit".
DoMLS. Has a certain ring to it 🤣
Government dropped the age for class 2 cat c to 18 what on earth pass a car test then take an hgv next week not safe
Yes seems madness doesn’t it! I passed my test in a mini then drove a 7.5t truck. Within a few weeks I was driving an artic rig along Teignmouth seafront! I had a lot of driving input from great mentors and trainers. I was a sponge and loved it. Never had an accident or conviction. However at 52 I wouldn’t want to do that now!! Thanks for commenting
Would our government adopt it yes would they lower some of those age and health limits yes
Bearing in mind they want more vehicles off the road and want to impose 15 minute cities meaning that’s the limit of your travel without significant costs or permission ( digital currency) expected from 2030
The 15minute city is an amazing idea! Riddled with flaws! Scary! Let’s see what’s adopted
Thought you only needed a license when driving for commerce?
A commercial HGV licence requires an assessment every year. Thanks for watching
These two are total boomers and your comment went right over there heads.
if you do this it will 96 percent land you in court to fight ,has been winning cases ,but you only need a driveing licence to do self employed driveng or employed to be a licenced driver,,same with car insurance ,publc liablity insurance does the same cover ,folks will fully dissagree but go and look at the law not acts alone no one needs any of these mot dvla ect .to have a pony and trap or horse and buggy
You’ll need to expand on this some more for me to grasp what you’re saying…?
31:15 DVLA are totally obsessed about what a converted van 'looks like' rather than what it is, they are not even adhering to the 1979 Type Approval regs which makes no mention of windows, decals or awning bars.
I did a freedom of information request which showed that only 20% of applications get approved.
I have a couple of videos about this on my channel.
Thank you! I wil check this out. I am surprised it was as high as 20%!! Thanks for watching
@@MotorhomeMatt I am guessing most of the 20% are coach built rather than individual DIY builders. I did originally ask DVLA for a breakdown between the two but they refused... I wonder why?
Hmmmm
Innocent till proven guilty in English law
Indeed! Thanks for watching and commenting
More money for 😊the Labour Party.
They need some. All the donations are being refunded!
Hi Mat have you seen iq go have reduced there sim card to 25 g
Yes well aware. Annoying! We have a statement going out on it. I’m in close contact with them and will update as I get news
May the"4th" be with you😂
Star wars day!
Are the products ok to use if Motorhome has been ceramic coat treated?
It would depend on the treatment you’ve had. If it took a day to apply and cost you the equivalent a third world countries debt, then yes. However it was a ceramic coat in a can and cost you a night out in Burnha-on-sea (ie less than £70) then probably no.
Hope you appreciate the context!