Q My company operates a mobile crane and, until now, has
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always employed a driver with a heavy goods vehicle driving licence to drive it. This man has now left our employ and I am told that we can use a driver who does not have such a driving licence to drive the crane. Is this so?
AIt depends how the vehicle is taxed. There is no specific exemption from heavy ,goods vehicle driving licence requirements for drivers of mobile cranes. However, Section 112 (4) of the Road Traffic Act 1972 excludes drivers of vehicles taxed at f:5 a year under Schedule 3 of the Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971.
In that schedule, a mobile crane is described as -a vehicle designed and constructed as a mobile crane which (a) is used on public roads only either as a crane in connection with work being carried out on a site in the immediate vicinity or for the purpose of proceeding to or from a place where it is to be used as a crane; and (b) when so proceeding neither carries nor hauls any load other than such as is necessary for its propulsion or equipment.'" If your vehicle is taxed at £5 under this schedule or can be so taxed if it is not at present, then the driver does not need an hgv driving licence.