Operators Licence 7.5 ton vehicle

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: Dear All

: I am based in the uk and have been using 3.5 ton vehicles for about 15 years. We have now go to the stage where we are looking to buy a 7.5 ton truck.

: I have hired a few over the years and find them great for sound kit.

: I have recently been looking into costs of these trucks and I have to say they seem fairly cheap (on the used vehicles).

: I have also learnt that you need to get an operators licence to own one, have you seen how much red tape there is in order to get one, it's unreal...

: So for a while I resigned myself to the fact that I'll have to continue to hire.......but no you have to hold an operators licence to hire as well, and you have to meet all criterior.

: The companies hiring to me never warned or informed me that I needed one, so basically I have been breaking the law. I have rang a few of the top hire firms to ask about this law and the reply is normally that they have never heard of it.

: It's fine if you want to hire it for private use IE your furniture etc, but if you use it in any way connected to your or anyone elses busines you need the 'o' Licence.

: Sranger still is the fact that vehicle hire companies don't need an operators licence...beyond me.

: I have also been told by the Vehicle Inspectorate (VI) that they are looking into the entertainment industry on this matter.

: Be warned that as of January 4th this year the VI have the power to impound any vehicle if it is operating without the required licence.

: Release fees are in the £3000/4000 area and you have to pay within 21 days...!

: If any of you guys are based in Europe or USA do you have a similar
: situation there, would be interested to hear if it's different. As we are supposed to be part of Europe etc.

: I foresee a lot of operator licence applications on the way.

: Kind Regards

: Paul Martyn.



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