The key to Tachos is the use of the vehicle.

If the vehicle is being used for any sort of comercial gain or hire and reward, then it is very likely that drivers hours must be recorded.

If the vehicle is classed as Private Heavy Goods PHG, of which a motorhome over 3500kgs is one of the types of vehicles that falls under this catagory, No tacho is required.

Even a 10 ton truck ( HGV )classed as being used for non comercial use does not need a tacho even though it would be tested at an HGV station.

You can complete and sign a non comercial declaration at the time of the test.

The recording of drivers hours is about use not just about size



If anyone has gone through the process of importing such a vehicle to the UK from germany as an HGV and later having it converted to a PHG ie a motorhome I would love to hear how they got with testing etc and the DVLA.

Thanks

Neil

hi
we got our truck from germany and it was plated at 75000kg, but is a 911 and can take 10,000kg.
it is a simple procedure to register a truck in the u.k, it took us 10 mins at the local vehicle licensing office with our new mot cert from the local gov mot centre.
you have to go to the same places as the hgv trucks go as they have to jack up the front to check the wheel bearings and local garages do not have the lifting gear.
stay away from phoning the goverment people for info on this as they have not got a clue, we drove into the uk with temp plates for germany and this included insurance as well.
most vehicles can be down plated to 7500kg before you buy it from germany and then you can drive this on a car license depending on your age, tachos are no problem no need to get it re tested as it is not a valid piece of equipment in a class 4 motorhome.
it is very easy to import a vehicle from germany just do it,
i would say good luck but a monkey with one hand could do this unless he has a job on a help line for the goverment...ha ha
dave

Thanks for all the advice. Assuming truck is suitable for de-rating to under 7.49 tonne, anybody know what the process is. Is it just paper based or do I actually have to take the truck somewhere? Also is it easy to reverse - ie if we do it for a while but then want the extra capacity, can original registered weight limit be reinstated?

Cheers Toby

Hi toby.
if you are buying from germany and it needs a tuft.mot. then you may be able to get it down plated.
as for up plating should not need i,t if your mobile home is more than 7,49t when empty and you need to get it mot,d then remove some kg,s from the back to pass.
where are you thinking of going and how long for this helps in the should i do this or that.
dave
whats your truck again and have you thought about a 917 MB with a back allready built, they sell them on mobile,de from construction sites and have a door and windows allready in this would help with class 4 mot.

Hi, its a uk truck so need to understand uk process for de rating.

Driving motorhomes in UK

Driving motorhomes : Directgov - Motoring

importing a vehicle
Registering an imported vehicle : Directgov - Motoring

downplating

Downplating - Legislation Help Desk - Wheelbase Engineering Ltd. - Chassis Modification Trailer Manufacturers Demountable Systems.

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Current : 2007 Mowag Bucher Duro 6x6 Motorhome , 2006 Sedici 4x4, 2007 Range Rover supercharged

The need for tachos was enacted following EC Council Regulation No 3821/8 which basically identifies the need for goods (trucks) or passenger (coaches) vehicles to be fitted. There are dozens of exceptions and exemptions in the UK domestic legislation, and it’s altogether muddy.

If your registered body type is ‘truck’ or similar then you will usually need a tacho to get through a test as this implies the carriage of goods. One useful exemption is available whereby if your ‘truck’ is under the 7500kg limit you are able to declare it will never be used for the carriage of goods and in this case VOSA will happily accept the signed exemption form (available on their website) and test the truck w/o a tacho. There are other exemptions but none are ever likely to be of use to overlanders.

If your registered body type is ‘motor caravan’ then it’s a presumption that the vehicle is no longer a goods vehicle and is therefore outside of the EC directive so doesn’t need a tacho. However, if you carry anything that could be deemed goods, you may find yourself in trouble. Goods do not include personal effects so as long as you only have with you what you need for camping, and don’t engage in commerce, you should be OK. It would probably be a matter for the courts to interpret on a case by case if you were ever challenged.

Motorcaravans of any weight can be subject to class 4 tests, but these can, I believe, be carried out at a VOSA test station so you can still have a thorough VOSA test if you wish. Probably wise to be honest as they are set up to deal with the size and weight of trucks and in most cases understand the different systems better, such as air brakes for example.

In summary, if your registered body type (V5) is truck, or goods vehicle of any type, you will need a tacho in a 10 tonner. If you are registered as motorcaravan then you will probably be OK without a tacho depending on interpretation by the officials you are dealing with.

Probably worth pointing out too that taxation class is an entirely different and barely related entity to body type.

I agree with others that there are far fewer problems all round (not just tacho related) if you can keep under the magic 7.5.

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