Q We supply hydraulic lifting platforms which are fitted to vehicle
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chassis up to 20 tons gvw. The vehicles do not carry goods, Could you say how they should be taxed; does the driver need an hgv driving licence; must he keep records and what speed limits apply?
AIn our opinion, the vehicle you illustrate should be classified as a tower wagon and taxed as such.
In Schedule 4 of the Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971 a tower wagon is described as a goods vehicle into which there is built as part of the vehicle any expanding or extensible contrivance designed for facilitating the erection, inspection, repair or maintenance of overhead structures or equipment and which is neither constructed or • adapted nor used for the conveyance of any load except such a contrivance and articles used in connection therewith.
From your illustration, the vehicle you quote fulfils all these requirements.
The need for an hgv driving licence depends on the gross weight of the vehicle. Under the new regulations which came into effect on April 16, if the vehicle weighs over 7.5 tonnes (7.38 ton) gross, then the driver needs an hgv driving licence.
As to driver's records in general these are only necessary for vehicles which are subject to operators' licensing under the provisions of the Transport Act 1968. According to Section 60 of the Act these are vehicles used on a road for carrying goods. As your vehicle is not used for this purpose (it pays reduced Excise Duty because it does not do so) then you do not need an operator's licence and the driver need not keep records.
The vehicles are subject only to the same speed restrictions as any other goods vehicle of its type. If it weighs over 3 tons unladen these are 40mph on general roads and 60mph on motorways.