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Q We have a number of cmall vans all of
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which are under 30 cwt unladen and we wish to add to these mobile showrooms which would consist aficonverted caravans. Will we have to Obtain an operator's licence because 1`.1e unladen weight of both vehicles together will be more than 30 cwt unladen and will the driver require an hgv driving licence?
A The requirements for operators' licensing are governed by the provisions of Part V of the Transport Act 1968. Section 60 (2) exempts small vehicles as defined in subsection (4). Subsection (4) (b) (ii) applies to the kind of vehicle combination which ou have described. Here a small v hicle is described as a goods vehicle which forms part of a vehicle combination in which the aggregate of the unladen weights of those vehicles (exclusive of any small trailer) does not exceed 30 cwt. A small trailer means a trailer having an unladen weight not exceeding one ton.
Therefore, if the converted caravan which you propose to use has an unladen weight of less than one ton its weight need not be added to the aggregate of the unladen weight of the combination and you do not, therefore, need an operator's licence. Nor will the driver need a heavy goods vehicle driving licence. These are provided for in Part IV of the Road Traffic Act 1972.
The prime mover is the vehicle to which the Act applies. Briefly, if the vehicle is under 3 tons unladen (that is, it is a "motor car") not constructed so 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, then an hgv driving licence is not required. Obviously, yolk converted caravan will not be superimposed on the drawing vehicle therefore no hgv driving licence is necessary.