ADUK Archive

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.

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.

Ditto Enterprise, I used them last year

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

James

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

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.

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?

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?

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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.