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James Fairchild
Member - 292 posts
I have a question concerning driving licences to drive a van of 7.5 tonnes (i.e. a C1 licence). As some of you will know, this entitlement used to come automatically with a car test until 1997, following which it was changed to require a seperate test.
I see adverts saying "must have 7.5 tonne licence" - does anyone else agree that this is age-discriminatory?
I think a possible way round it is to stiuplate that you are looking for someone with EXPERIENCE of driving these types of vehicles.
Thanks in anticipation
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RUSSELL HILL
Member - 34 posts
James I think that this is a situation which is becoming a problem to some companies and schools alike. You cannot drive a Minibus if you did not pass your driving test before 1997. We were testing on behalf of our local authority at a school this week where 3 candidates presented to us for testing didn't have the correct entitlement on their licence. They had all been out practicing in it already. If you passed your test after 1997 you cannot drive any vehicle over 3.5 tonnes let alone 7.5 tonnes. If a candidate showed up for a job that required them to drive this type of vehicle they would need to be of a certain age OR haven taken an upgraded test to get the new entitement. So it really isn't an age problem its a skills one in my opinion. Hope that helps
Russell
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James Fairchild
Member - 292 posts
Thank you Russell. Following your final sentance, perhaps the pertinent question is whether possession of a certain type of licence is considered a skill in itself (even if said licence is rarely or never used) or whether the actual skill is the experience of driving larger vehicles.
Minibuses is indeed a good analogy - you probably know, but there is an exemption which allows certain minibuses to be driven on a car licence (i.e. cat B, without cat D1) - see http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_4022619 - should be useful to most schools and community associations.
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RUSSELL HILL
Member - 34 posts
Hello James
Yes the who's where's and when's of minibus driving are an extremly grey area. Local permits, hire and reward etc. It really boils down to two areas. The voluntary sector can get permits etc for volunteers to drive some minibuses. If the person driving recieves any sort of payment or is driving as part of their duties i.e a PE teacher then they must hold an UNRESTRICTED D1 Licence.
As for your first point.Chickens and eggs spring to mind. I'm coming from the boring legal requirement situation.
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