Ok any of you guys out there who use trailers and transporters know what the legal requirements are for the use of trailers and transporters for the transport of our toys.
Looking at the VOSA sitt it is a mine field.
Ie do you know that if you move a car even on a trailer for reward you require a tachograph and driver hour s rules apply.
So if you move your own car not required if you move a club members car and get paid (unlikely I know) but technically you need a tach.
And you can have your rig impounded.
The transporter rules seem even more complicated and the date you passed your test comes in to play?
What the hell is MAM?
Trailers and Transporters
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Jon Connolly
- Posts: 3116
- Joined: Fri Jan 26, 07 8:53 pm
- Location: Asleep on the tarmac ... I`m tired and emotional
Bob,
I spent alot of time on this very subject and these are the rules :
If you have a van and trailer with an m.a.m. ( gross train weight ) of over 3500 kg you need a tacho and operator`s licence. I run transits at work and buy the 280 /300 version so that the m.a.m. is 3500 kg. The larger version requires a tacho and o licence if you are going to tow.
Even if you have a large Mercedes Sprinter type van with an m.a.m. of say 4200 kg and it is fitted with a towbar it is technically capable of being used above 3500 kg and does require a tacho. ( this is why you will see Iveco Ford Daily vans fitted with tachos ). This applies if you are doing a paid job of work. If you are driving a plain pick up truck or van with trailer and car and your m.a.m. is 7500 kg and you are under this weight and using it for your private purposes you are o.k.
A better way to go is a true 7500 kg truck, if you register it as a private hgv you do not need a tacho or operator`s licence and tax is the same as a car ( circa £176 ). You can also tow a trailer with this as long as the combination and load does not exceed 8250 kg. Also if you buy an older one they are unrestricted speed wise and do 60 - 70 mph.
Do not listen to people who tell you you can drive a 7500 kg registered as a recovery without an mot or tacho .. this is illegal.
Here`s a pic of mine ( ignore the name on the side ), can carry 2 cars and tow a trailer tent and still legal on a car licence.
Jon
I spent alot of time on this very subject and these are the rules :
If you have a van and trailer with an m.a.m. ( gross train weight ) of over 3500 kg you need a tacho and operator`s licence. I run transits at work and buy the 280 /300 version so that the m.a.m. is 3500 kg. The larger version requires a tacho and o licence if you are going to tow.
Even if you have a large Mercedes Sprinter type van with an m.a.m. of say 4200 kg and it is fitted with a towbar it is technically capable of being used above 3500 kg and does require a tacho. ( this is why you will see Iveco Ford Daily vans fitted with tachos ). This applies if you are doing a paid job of work. If you are driving a plain pick up truck or van with trailer and car and your m.a.m. is 7500 kg and you are under this weight and using it for your private purposes you are o.k.
A better way to go is a true 7500 kg truck, if you register it as a private hgv you do not need a tacho or operator`s licence and tax is the same as a car ( circa £176 ). You can also tow a trailer with this as long as the combination and load does not exceed 8250 kg. Also if you buy an older one they are unrestricted speed wise and do 60 - 70 mph.
Do not listen to people who tell you you can drive a 7500 kg registered as a recovery without an mot or tacho .. this is illegal.
Here`s a pic of mine ( ignore the name on the side ), can carry 2 cars and tow a trailer tent and still legal on a car licence.
Jon
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Anonymous
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RayC
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Rich
Good reply Mr Burger-D.Nice to se someone who knows their stuff.
All class 7 up recovery trucks are subject to MOT and as you say are restricted to 56Mph
.I know,it took us an hour and a half to get to Billing from Brum yesterday 
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You will start to notice more & more Transit beaver-tail recovery Bananarama! the roads now,so they can avoid all the bull..
My mate does some relay jobs in his 7.5 tonne Renault crew cab.Imagine a recovery to Glasgow @ 56,with a 45 min break every 4 hours and a 12 hour break after 9 hours driving??
He is now refusing long jobs and concentrating on local police work(inc ANPR)which always throws up some good stories.. 
All class 7 up recovery trucks are subject to MOT and as you say are restricted to 56Mph
.I know,it took us an hour and a half to get to Billing from Brum yesterday .You will start to notice more & more Transit beaver-tail recovery Bananarama! the roads now,so they can avoid all the bull..
My mate does some relay jobs in his 7.5 tonne Renault crew cab.Imagine a recovery to Glasgow @ 56,with a 45 min break every 4 hours and a 12 hour break after 9 hours driving??
He is now refusing long jobs and concentrating on local police work(inc ANPR)which always throws up some good stories..