Exhibition Vehicles

We design and build a wide range of exhibition vehicles and trailers but we find many people are not aware of the Regulations surrounding the operation of them.

Well the very simple answer is a combination of the effects of various EU Regulations covering driving licences and drivers hours.  But in fairness this is an over simplification as the move to van conversions and chassis cab vehicle models has brought to light many roadshow benefits too.

But first let’s look at driving licences and what the various licence holders are entitled to.

In theory it should be relatively simple for each of us to know and understand what vehicles we can drive and trailers we can tow, as this is shown on our licences. But this is one of those subjects that tends to be more confusing than, in theory, it is. Perhaps the reason for this is that many drivers look at the categories shown on the back of their licence (which itself is simplified) and can easily make one or two incorrect assumptions. Easily done!

One basic rule of thumb is to appreciate there is quite a difference in entitlement between those who sat and passed their driving test prior to January 1^st1997 and those who did so on, or after, that date.

So remembering when you passed your driving test is one of those useful dates worth remembering when want to drive or tow exhibition vehicles and trailers.

We would always recommend anyone uncertain of their entitlement to consult the government’s own web site at:  https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories  here you will find all of the information you require, and what’s more it’s official information.

Taking it one step further the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency) does issue a really brilliant guide brochure, reference INS57P, and entitled “Information on Driving Licences” which is available to download as a PDF file. Just Google and you’ll find it. It is 28 pages long so you may not want to print it all out!  But it is full if really useful information to keep you on the right side of the law.

But as a summary (and this is not legal advice as you must consult the official web site as given above) the important information is as follows should you wish to operate exhibition vehicles and trailers:

Light vehicles

Category B1

You can drive motor vehicles with 4 wheels up to 400kg unladen or 550kg if they’re designed for carrying goods.

Cars

Category B – if you passed your test before 1 January 1997

You’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass(MAM). View your driving licence informationto check.

You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.

Category B – if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997

You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg MAMwith up to 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg).

You can also tow heavier trailers if the total MAM of the vehicle and trailer is not more than 3,500kg.

You can drive motor tricycles with a power output higher than 15kW if you are over 21 years old.

Physically disabled drivers with provisional category B entitlement will also have provisional entitlement to ride category A1 or A motor tricycles.

Able-bodied drivers can no longer ride motor tricycles with a provisional category B licence.

Category B auto

You can drive a category B vehicle – but only an automatic one.

Category BE

You can drive a vehicle with a MAMof 3,500kg with a trailer.

The size of the trailer depends on the BE ‘valid from’ date shown on your licence. If the date is:

• before 19 January 2013, you can tow any size trailer
• on or after 19 January 2013, you can tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500kg

Medium-sized vehicles

Category C1

You can drive vehicles between 3,500 and 7,500kg MAM(with a trailer up to 750kg).

Category C1E

You can drive C1 category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg.

The combined MAMof both cannot exceed 12,000kg.

Large vehicles

Category C

You can drive vehicles over 3,500kg (with a trailer up to 750kg MAM).

Category CE

You can drive category C vehicles with a trailer over 750kg.

Minibuses

Category D1

You can drive vehicles with:

• no more than 16 passenger seats
• a maximum length of 8 metres
• a trailer up to 750kg

Category D1E

You can drive D1 category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg MAM.

The combined MAM of both cannot exceed 12,000kg.

Buses

Category D

You can drive any bus with more than 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg MAM).

Category DE

You can drive D category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg

Leaving you to mull over this information the summary is that if you passed your driving test after January 1^st1997 then you have quite a restriction on the size of trailer that you can tow and unless you take a special additional trailer towing test you are not going to be able to tow most exhibition trailers.

BUT, on the plus size almost everyone has a licence to drive a van or a chassis cab vehicle up to a weight of 3500 kgs and this means you can drive seriously useful exhibition vehicles and trailers in one of these two formats. An extra long wheel base van can easily accommodate a product display, catering facilities or even a fully functional veterinary surgery.

For more information about our exhibition vehicle and trailers call us on 0116 326 0989

An extra long wheelbase Mercedes van converted into a children’s gaming vehicle.

A chassis cab can have a box body up to 5 metres long so a huge space for almost any promotional activity, bearing in mind we can also install slide out extensions to increase floor space by a third or more.

A 3500 kgs chassis cab with 5 metre box body, hinge up canopy and swing out display panels

And another rather significant benefit of choosing either of these two exhibition vehicle options is that, unlike requirements for most trailers, there is no need for the installation of a tachograph which controls drivers working hours, which can be inflexible and restrictive within the roadshow business.

We’d love to share our technical experience and creative ideas with you and help with advice, along with any further information you may require, so please call us on 0116 276 9023 or e-mail us at sales@multivehicletechnology.com