Ariel.Club Forum

Oh all you drivers with so [i][b]little[/b][/i] experience!  ;D

I passed my driving test at the first attempt in July 1965 and bought a 1960 TwinCam MGA Coupe (hardtop - 606AXF) a week later - with the help of a small inheritance from my father!

- then acquired a PPL 2 months later followed by going to up Uni in September, this was followed by my then (new) girlfriend and I driving to Holzgau in Austria to go skiing in December/January - neither of our parents were too happy about it!  ;)!

I subsequently acquired a full ALTP commercial flying license and Instrument Rating (multi engine) during 1968!!  :wize:

!965 was definitely a busy year!

[quote="Bruce Fielding"]
[quote="phil4"]
I'd not consider myself grown up, but passed my test in 1995 (so proper old)
[/quote]

I don't consider myself grown up either (as those who know me will attest), but I passed my test in 1970... You had to wear flares and boots and psychedelic shirts with long collars to get into the test station...
[/quote]

We have Fred Flintstone everybody! lol.

[quote="phil4"]
I'd not consider myself grown up, but passed my test in 1995 (so proper old)
[/quote]

I don't consider myself grown up either (as those who know me will attest), but I passed my test in 1970... You had to wear flares and boots and psychedelic shirts with long collars to get into the test station...

I wonder if he's thinking of Jan 2018?  I think they introduced some changes in Jan 2013, that meant that if over 45, you'd need to renew every 5 years - which would then mean Jan 2018 would be the first time this occurs:

[url=http://www.nolgvbrokers.co.uk/bus-and-lorry-drivers-new-5-year-hgv-and-pcv-licence-renewal/]http://www.nolgvbrokers.co.uk/bus-and-lorry-drivers-new-5-year-hgv-and-pcv-licence-renewal/[/url]  and [url=https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-renewal-after-45-lorry-minibus-bus]https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-renewal-after-45-lorry-minibus-bus[/url]

Not at all. Hopefully he is talking rubbish! I didn't try searching myself. Just presumed he was right. Sorry if it is false info.

Hi Tom, sorry if I was coming across as accusatory.... merely puzzled by it all really.  I figured that's where you'd found out, so makes sense, was just surprised I'd found zilch.

Hi Phil. Only going by what the instructor told me. But I will ask where he got the info from. Does seem odd if you've googled it and nothing has come up.

[quote="911tom"]
The mini bus change comes in next year as far as I know. Someone's clearly found away to bring in some government cash :doh:
[/quote]

Well for one they're keeping it super-quiet... google isn't coming up with anything.  I can't recall that they've ever previously removed people's entitlements, almost always "grandfathering" them, or slightly modifying the category.

If you have any more info, a link or similar, do post.

The mini bus change comes in next year as far as I know. Someone's clearly found away to bring in some government cash :doh:

Cheers ru55. It is well worth doing but it is a driving test. Spent a good 50 minutes on the road. They can and will fail you for the same things on the normal driving test. The reversing exercise is easy enough if you've done it before. I opted to do a free one hour assessment session with a local instructor. He advised that I should do it in a day so the test was booked. I met him at 8.30 Monday morning and we set off. Spent about an hour doing the reverse excercise. Then drove to the town where the test was booked. He committed on my driving throughout. Giving me advice on using mirrors, braking distances, checking blind spots etc. Cost £395.00. But I guess if you don't pass first time it won't be the full price again for half a day and the test fee.

[quote="911tom"]
I took the test on Monday and passed so will be a lot more relaxed next time I tow.
[/quote]
Well done on passing the test! How was it? Did you need many lesson before?

Its something I keep thinking about doing as I want to own a VW camper again. I can't tow legally behind these unless I pass the test... :-(

[quote="911tom"]
Also for any grown ups on here that passed before 1997 be aware that if you renew your photo card licence from next year you will loose your mini bus driving entitlements. May effect some people that hire them from time to time. If you are still rocking the old paper licence then as they do not expire I am told you will not loose it until you upgrade or downgrade as it were to a photocard.
[/quote]

I'd not consider myself grown up, but passed my test in 1995 (so proper old), and am currently on my 8th license (address changes, categories added etc), and still have a D1 (and D1E) entitlement - So upto 16 passengers, shorter than 8 metres, with a trailer either up to 750Kg (D1) or total MAM of bus + trailer of 12,000kg (D1E), oddly though I also have a 119 Weight limit does not apply on that one, so unlimited weight?

Last change of my license was Feb this year, so unless this is a really recent removal... I've still got what I had, and can still drive minibuses.  Only restriction is not for hire or reward... which doesn't fuss me much.

[quote="RU55 COS"]
I know the feeling, the trailer license thing is a right pain and doesn't make much sense overall. It took me a while to find a trailer I could legally tow behind a Yeti. 

As I'm sure you are aware they go on the maximum weights printed on the trailer and not the actual weight loaded, if the trailer's platted more than 1500kg you could potentially be breaking the law (loaded or not).

Stupid hey?
[/quote]

[quote="911tom"]
It's far too confusing surely the total 'maximum authorised mass' is dictated by the towing vehicle. In my case maximum towing weight of 1200kg + the weight of the car circa 1500kg and then some allowance for myself luggage and the family.
[/quote]

[quote="RU55 COS"]
Yeah it's very confusing! It's all around what's plated on the Car/Trailer as the maximum weights rather than what's on it... They go on the Maximum Authorised Mass(MAM) of the vehicle and trailer to determine the total permisable weight, If these are over 3500kg it's potentially illegal.

This may help or confuse further
[url=http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpandadvice/technicalhelp/datasheets/driving-licences/page1/]http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpandadvice/technicalhelp/datasheets/driving-licences/page1/[/url]
[/quote]

Hi all. I just thought for the benefit for anyone in this I should confirm that RU55 COS is absolutely right. I chose to take a risk which was silly but I was too far in. I took the test on Monday and passed so will be a lot more relaxed next time I tow. But yeah on a standard licence issued after 1997 the 3,500KG limit is calculated by MAM of the trailer + MAM of the car. Silly rule really as if I had used a trailer stamped differently it would have been legal  ??? It defies all logic but hey.

Also for any grown ups on here that passed before 1997 be aware that if you renew your photo card licence from next year you will loose your mini bus driving entitlements. May effect some people that hire them from time to time. If you are still rocking the old paper licence then as they do not expire I am told you will not loose it until you upgrade or downgrade as it were to a photocard.

[quote="911tom"]
Yes back home now. Got a busy day tomorrow, usual post holiday catching up to do. Could do possibly do next weekend? Did you go along to the penn meet this morning?
[/quote]
Yes, no drive out before though. I was messing about with the suspension a bit today, had some fun :D

Yes back home now. Got a busy day tomorrow, usual post holiday catching up to do. Could do possibly do next weekend? Did you go along to the penn meet this morning?

[quote="911tom"]
Picked the car up today. Ended up having new discs all round on top of the original list. As I trailered it to and from the factory I have only taken it for a quick drive of around 5 miles. So far the difference is obvious. All the noises have gone, I had no idea just how 'refined' these cars could be. Every thing feels so much more precise and tight. Hoping to go for a bit more of a run tomorrow weather pending.
[/quote]
You back...fancy a meet tomorrow am?