Q 1 recently noticed a recovery vehicle
Page 45
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
running on trade plates and displaying "1" plates. Obviously, it is necessary in hold an hgv licence while driving one of these vehicles, but I would like to know whether while running on trade plates it is legal to use such a vehicle for learning to drive and whether it would be legal to use it for an hgv test.
If this is illegal how could a potential driver employed by a firm whose only hgv is a recovery vehicle operating on trade plates learn to drive such a vehicle?
If a potential driver managed to learn to drive solely during journeys to or from breakdowns when it no doubt would be legal to operate on trade plates, how could he take his test on such a vehicle?
AThe use of trade plates is not permitted
on a vehicle solely for driving instruction but if two men are going out with the vehicle on a breakdown—for which purpose the vehicle may be used—and one of them is a learner-driver there is no reason why he should not drive provided conditions regarding the qualifications of the accompanying driver and hgv "L" plates are observed, It certainly would not be legal to take a test on a vehicle operating on trade plates because this is not one of the conditions under which the use of trade plates is allowed.
Obviously, a learner would not able to obtain sufficient tuition driving to breakdowns and if the firm merely owns only a trade-plates-operated recovery vehicle the only way in which he would be able to obtain sufficient experience on heavy goods vehicles would be to undergo a course of instruction at an hgv driving school.