Van hire for old gits

by **Graham Wright** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 1:28 pm

We transport and build our own stand for the Southampton Boat Show. Due to H&S considerations, it is big and heavy.

Having passed the age threshold of 72, I am not permitted to drive a Luton (minimum size to cope with the long bits).

Thus it falls to SWMBO to drive which she copes with very well but does not enjoy.

Anyone know of a van hire company which does not have an age restriction? I am now 74.

I have tried all the usual ones.

by **TripleS** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 1:54 pm

Graham Wright wrote:We transport and build our own stand for the Southampton Boat Show. Due to H&S considerations, it is big and heavy.

Having passed the age threshold of 72, I am not permitted to drive a Luton (minimum size to cope with the long bits).

Thus it falls to SWMBO to drive which she copes with very well but does not enjoy.

Anyone know of a van hire company which does not have an age restriction? I am now 74.

I have tried all the usual ones.

Have you tried Enterprise? We were told that they self-insure, so they do not impose an age limit of 70, which many of the smaller firms do. HTH.

by **triquet** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 2:24 pm

Ditto Enterprise, I used them last year

by **JamesAllport** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 5:45 pm

Another recommendation here for Enterprise. I don't have the age limit problem but have had excellent customer service from them.

James

by **MGF** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 8:35 pm

I thought grandfather rights were lost at aged 70. Can anyone with a Cat B licence drive a Luton van?

by **michael769** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 3:02 pm

MGF wrote:I thought grandfather rights were lost at aged 70. Can anyone with a Cat B licence drive a Luton van?

You need C1 for a Luton, no idea if they renew C1 entitlements at 70 for folks with grandfather rights.

EDIT: According to these folks it's not automatic and you need to supply a medical certificate to retain the C1.

by **triquet** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 4:56 pm

michael769 wrote:
MGF wrote:I thought grandfather rights were lost at aged 70. Can anyone with a Cat B licence drive a Luton van?

You need C1 for a Luton, no idea if they renew C1 entitlements at 70 for folks with grandfather rights.

EDIT: According to these folks it's not automatic and you need to supply a medical certificate to retain the C1.

Yes, I've just looked at my license as renewed at 70 and me C1 has gone. Could you manage with a long transity thing?

by **Rick101** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 9:09 pm

If you gain a C1 through taking a test, would you lose it at 70 or is that just for those that gained it automatically?

by **michael769** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 10:09 pm

Those folks need to supply a medical certificate every 5 years from age 45 and anually from 65 to renew their C1.

by **Slink_Pink** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 12:47 pm

Since when did you need a C1 for a Luton? I thought that the wording of the regulation was "Goods vehicle not exceeding 3.5t" (or something similar) which is the maximum authorised mass for a Luton if I'm not mistaken.

by **michael769** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 9:45 am

Yeah I always forget there is a version of the Luton that is plated down to 3,500kg and can be driven on a B, most manufacturers do the same.

Most models are plated higher than that, so one does need to be cautious.the hire companies are well aware of the rules though.

by **Slink_Pink** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 12:12 pm

Thanks for the tip - I'll double check in future. I've driven many a Luton on the happy assumption that I was suitably licenced to do so.

by **Graham Wright** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 8:47 am

I found a local company who imposed no age restriction (or at least said 74 was not a problem). The vehicle we hired was a long wheel based VW which did the job (to transport an exhibition stand to the Southampton Boat Show). I had a shock when it as revealed that my licence was out of date (both parts) but that was circumvented by a call to the DVLA.

The hire was fine and additional "features" were not added.

I hired from the same company for the return trip. Although named the same, this time the vehicle was fitted with a speed limited - 56 mph. When I queried this the reason given was that legislation now required this class to be so fitted. I think the model must have been a CR50 which appears to have a gross weight of 5 tonnes.

I need to check and update my licence!

by **superplum** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 8:42 pm

Graham Wright wrote: I need to check and update my licence!

If your licence has expired, wouldn't this invalidate your own insurance policy?

by **Graham Wright** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 9:15 am

superplum wrote:
Graham Wright wrote: I need to check and update my licence!

If your licence has expired, wouldn't this invalidate your own insurance policy?

I don't know but I will take extra care. I expected a reminder but believe I haven't received one.

I tried to renew on line but the system did not allow. I also tried to renew as "over 70" but the system would not allow.

I now have to submit a form D1.

Van hire for old gits

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