O License from home?

[Shaunpaul]

Hi, sorry if this topic has already been posted way too many times, but…..is keeping a 7.5t tipper like a grafter or fuso an 100% no to keeping on a private driveway, and subject to having no objections from neighbouring property? Or does the overall vehicle size not play a part in it, just that it’s over 3.5t

TIA 😬

[Ian C]

On your o license it will say your operating yard and that where it should be kept, your not allowed to park a hgv on a domestic property, anything over 3.5t is classed as hgv regardless of size, that said no one will know unless you are grassed up in which case they will start asking questions or remove you license.

[Justme]

Your yard can be your house if your deeds dont stop you.

Especially with a small vehicle.

[Ian C]

15 hours ago, Justme said:

Your yard can be your house if your deeds dont stop you.

Especially with a small vehicle.

What’s a small vehicle? To the traffic commissioner anything over 3.5t is HGV , no such class as a small HGV, you will be lucky to get permission to park at a domestic property if your being honest on your o license application as one part of it is you have to show you can enter, turn round and leave easily. That said you could use a local yard, get it and then park at your place, Joe Public can’t tell the difference between a 3.5, 4.5 or 7.5 ton most of the time, just don’t piss locals off. 

[Justme]

5 hours ago, Ian C said:

What’s a small vehicle? To the traffic commissioner anything over 3.5t is HGV , no such class as a small HGV, you will be lucky to get permission to park at a domestic property if your being honest on your o license application as one part of it is you have to show you can enter, turn round and leave easily. That said you could use a local yard, get it and then park at your place, Joe Public can’t tell the difference between a 3.5, 4.5 or 7.5 ton most of the time, just don’t piss locals off. 

Whilst your right re small hgv category when you apply you list the vehicles you want. So they know what you have. You dont have to be able to turn around, the site just needs to be suitable. All the things you mention have come from people wanting a full sized hgv at home. Apply for a 7,5t & you should get it unless you live in an area with a no work from home covenant.

 

You would be on a restricted licence which is easier both financially re savings / access to funds & re  6 to 12 weekly checks. You also dont need a full TM & can manage yourself. Also easier to prove you can self maintain if you want.

 

This is the rule re the site.

 

You’ll need to show that your operating centre:

• is large enough
• has safe access
• is in an environmentally acceptable location

Objections may be made on the grounds of:

• your fitness to operate
• your financial arrangements
• your professional competence
• the environmental impact of the operating centre
• the general suitability of the centre

Your operating centre will need to meet certain conditions and not interfere with any local amenities. Certain things will be taken into account, like:

• its effect on the surrounding environment
• planning permissions or applications relating to the centre or the land near it
• the number, type and size of vehicles using the centre
• where and how vehicles will park
• how often and for what purpose the centre will be used

So size is taken into account.

[aspenarb]

Its all sounds worse than it is, I know a few lads with the restricted Olicense`s that run from small yards attached to their homes. One of them has a bit of a curfew on truck movements but its still more than workable. Bar any objections it should be straight forward.

 

Bob

[openspaceman]

I think @Ian C and @Justme have covered most of what I understand but would add a couple of theings;

 

When I applied for our yard to be used as an operating centre for a second company (it was already registered as one for a tenant) it was made clear that reversing out or into the yard was a no no. The area in front of the gate had to accommodate the longest vehicle coming or going when the gate was closed. The Highway Authority were the only objector on the grounds the bigger vehicles needed to cross  onto the opposite carriageway when turning left out of the yard. We would have had to expensively widen the splay but fortunately when we turned up for the public hearing, booted and suited, the traffic commissioner took umbrage that no one attended from the HA and granted the application as it was.

 

The chap on the estate behind me used to park his local authority highways truck in the close with nothing said.