CATEGORY CHANGE
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• I am somewhat confused as to the types of vehicle loan drive with an HGV category G4E driving licence. My licence describes category C as "motor vehicles used for the carriage of goods and whose maximum authorised mass exceeds 3.5 tonnes". Does this allow me to drive a partially completed large passenger vehicle or fully finished provided the vehicle is carrying no passengers?
My licence describes category D as "motor vehicles used for the carriage of passengers with more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat". Can it be argued that when the vehicle is not used to carry passengers it is a goads vehicle?
• The descriptions of vehicles in the driving licence categories were changed on 1January 1997 and the questions and points you make about the "use" of a vehicle no longer arise.
A category C vehicle is now described as any motor vehicle having a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes, other than a vehicle falling within category 0, F, G or H, including such a vehicle drawing a trailer having a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750kg".
A category D vehicle is now described as "any motor vehicle constructed or adapted for the carriage of passengers having more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat, including such a vehicle drawing a trailer having a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750kg".
It can be seen that the category C definition is wide enough to take in not only goods vehicles but other vehicles such as mobile cranes and heavy American-style motor homes not made to seat more than eight people.