Group 2 driving licence

Yetiowner replied on 05/06/2018 11:44

Yetiowner

Posted on 05/06/2018 11:44

Last October we bought a Burster 680G Ixeo fully aware that when I was 70 (March this year) my licence would have to be upgraded to a Group 2 as the kerb weight was 3.85 tonnes and that despite major heart surgery I should have no problem obtaining the necessary licence. Having had triple by-pass and a replacement aortic valve surgery back in December 2014 I would not have believed the hassle I am having in applying for this licence up-grade. The surgery was entirely successful and I was signed off in May 2015 and have had no problems since.

Despite a successful medical as part of the application and submitting all results and cardiac documentation I was given on discharge in 2015 the DVLA insist that I have not submitted enough evidence that I am fit to drive Group 2 vehicles.

At no time during this sorry period has the DVLA suggested that I retake a treadmill ECG and have based their decision on a test carried out in October 2014 which highlighted the heart problems and resulted in my corrective surgery.

I liken my situation to those of us who have been successfully 'cured' but have to pay an expensive premium for travel insurance when others of my age group oblivious to any potential health problems are paying lower - if any - premiums.

Has anyone else been subject to this bureaucratic nonsense?

18 replies

MotorHomer2 replied on 06/06/2018 07:38

MotorHomer2

Motorhomer

Posted on 05/06/2018 18:00 by young thomas

I realise the payload isn't vast at 3500 kg (380kg minus any extras) but, if all else fails, could you run it at the lower weight?

Posted on 06/06/2018 07:38

Wouldn't the 680G have been 3500kg to start with, the uprating being an optional extra?

young thomas replied on 06/06/2018 08:55

Member

young thomas

Motorhomer

Posted on 06/06/2018 07:38 by MotorHomer2

Wouldn't the 680G have been 3500kg to start with, the uprating being an optional extra?

Posted on 06/06/2018 08:55

yes, it looks like it, but having been upplated, ot needs to be 'formally' returned to 3500 by a dealer or specialist organisation like SVTech, who will liaise with DVLA.

my own van would have been 3500 ex works but the 16" wheels allowed for a 3650 upgrade (Fiat plate fitted) and the Al-Ko chassis allowed for further upgrade to 3850 (an Al-Ko plate fitted).....

however, having weighed the van (and a knowledge of all our 'stuff') I was confident we could easily run at 3500 and decided to get the dealer to replate it....

all docs returned and 3500 on the V5.

i don't have the age/license issues mentioned upthread (yet....) but felt, as the van is compact enough, we wanted a van that could go into any town/village without worrying about the many weight restrictions that are popping up all over the place...

although the above may be an option for the OP, IMHO the first step would be to weigh the van and get an accurate idea of this is doable at 3500.....

Qashqai66 replied on 06/06/2018 14:22

Qashqai66

Posted on 06/06/2018 14:22

I will be 74 this month I had a pacemaker installed in March which is life changing and wonderful by the way! The subsequent hassle with the DVLA contributed to our decision to restrict our new motorhome to 3,500 kgs.

peedee replied on 06/06/2018 16:03

Member

peedee

Motorhomer

Posted on 06/06/2018 16:03

IMHO the first step would be to weigh the van and get an accurate idea of this is doable at 3500..

Sound advice, it is all very well trying to stick with a vehicle under 3.5 tons but you have to be very very careful not to overload it. It is no trifling matter and the consequences can be dire, risk of blow outs, invalid insurance in the event of an accident, hefty fines if caught in a check or at the very least made to lighten the load before you can continue. On the Continent where the majority only have B licences, European police say 8 out of 10 motorhomes/caravans are overloaded. If this is true I am suprised there are not more roadside checks.

peedee

young thomas replied on 07/06/2018 08:20

Member

young thomas

Motorhomer

Posted on 07/06/2018 08:20

Peedee, I agree....last week I was parked next to an older Hymer B544 which had a huge scooter slung out back on a chassis extension....

now, I'm not saying the van wasn't upplated beyond 3.5t but upplating does not increase load margins on axles and I'd wager he was miles over on his rear axle...

having got the dealer to weigh 'our van' prior to purchase, and knowing what our 'stuff' weighed, we were able to make an informed decision as to our running weight...

on checking it after loading it in full touring trim, I was withing 20kg of my estimate....(incl bikes, full water, fuel, gas etc)

i also factored in that most important of items......a hefty wine allowance

replied on 07/06/2018 08:50

Posted on 07/06/2018 08:20 by young thomas

Peedee, I agree....last week I was parked next to an older Hymer B544 which had a huge scooter slung out back on a chassis extension....

now, I'm not saying the van wasn't upplated beyond 3.5t but upplating does not increase load margins on axles and I'd wager he was miles over on his rear axle...

having got the dealer to weigh 'our van' prior to purchase, and knowing what our 'stuff' weighed, we were able to make an informed decision as to our running weight...

on checking it after loading it in full touring trim, I was withing 20kg of my estimate....(incl bikes, full water, fuel, gas etc)

i also factored in that most important of items......a hefty wine allowance

Posted on 07/06/2018 08:50

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