Warning over ‘lifestylers’
Legislation update
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Company car drivers opting for larger ‘lifestyle’ choice vehicles to cater for interests including caravanning, water or equestrian sports that involve pulling horse boxes or large trailers could find themselves having to undergo compulsory driver training or even re-sit a HGV-style test when new European Union regulations come into force in 2013, according to fleet management company Masterlease...
Drivers of vehicles exceeding 3,500 kilograms with both their vehicle and their trailer would be asked to sit another test, like an HGV
The EU’s Third Directive on European Driving Licences – the regulation that is introducing the minimum driving age of 18 – is aimed at harmonising driving licences on safety and risk grounds by removing individual country anomalies including also raising the age limit for riding mopeds in European cities. It also seeks to address the power-weight ratio of vehicles which will mean that drivers exceeding 3,500 kilograms with both their vehicle and their trailer would be asked to sit another test, like an HGV.
With many company drivers opting for the larger 4x4 vehicles that exceed 3,000 kilograms on their own, the addition of fully-laden doubleaxle horse boxes or caravans is likely to tip over the new maximum weight regime, according to Eddie Parker, head of commercial vehicle leasing at Masterlease, who has raised the issue with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
The Caravan Club and the National Trailer and Towing Association are also making their members aware of the issues via their websites.