Q I read with interest (CM December 8) NC the item
Page 49
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on the class of driving licence required for a lorry with a drawbar trailer.
We operate a Bedford tractive unit which has been converted to tow a special recovery trailer. The semi-trailer coupling gear has been removed and a small body fitted. A special towing hook has been fitted to enable the outfit to pull a recovery trailer. This weighs about 19cwt.
In the opinion of one of the stqff at the office of the local Licensing Authority, the driver of this out* would require a Class 3 licence. Would you please say whether you agree?
A An articulated vehicle is defined in
Regulation 2(1) of the Heavy Goods Vehicles (Driver's Licences) Regulations 1969, Statutory Instrument 1969 no. 903, as "a motor car or heavy motor car as defined in Section 253(2) and (3) of the Road Traffic Act 1960 so constructed that a trailer may by partial superimposition be attached thereto in such a manner as to cause a substantial part of the weight of the trailer to be borne thereby. ..."
Because you have removed the semitrailer coupling gear and the trailer is attached to the tractive unit by a towing hook there is no partial superimposition of the trailer nor is it possible to achieve superimposition; the vehicle is no longer an articulated vehicle as defined.
It then falls within one of the remaining classes for hgv driving licence purposes dependent on the wheel arrangement and the transmission fitted. Classes 2 and 2a refer to heavy goods vehicles, without or with automatic transmission respectively, having more than four wheels in contact with the road surface. Classes 3 and 3a also refer to hgv not fitted or fitted with automatic transmission but with not more than four wheels in contact with the road surface.
In this context it should be noted that twin wheels which have less than 18in. between their respective areas of contact with the road can be regarded as one wheel.
Therefore, if your tractive unit is not equipped with automatic transmission and, as is undoubtedly the case, has only four wheels, then a Class 3 licence would be appropriate.