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Anon
By AA | Moderator | 844 Posts | 21 January 2011 at 1:55pm

I am somewhat confused over the requirements for driving a campervan.

I note the Road User Charge label is showing category 05 which I assume allows a maximum weight of 5000kg on the road. If I exceed this weight should the RUC be changed to an 06 category and do I need to have a class 1 or 2 licence.

Also can you please clarify the following weight descriptions please.

Tare / GVM / MTM Braked / GCM / MTM un-braked

Greg

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 30 June 2010

jbiddle
By jbiddle | Community Member | 1657 Posts | 21 January 2011 at 3:18pm

If you exceed the weight set for a 05 RUC then yes you do need to move to the next category.

Driving anything over 4500kg’s in weight (laden or un-laden) requires a HT (class 2) license.

Here is a brief description of weights:

Tare weight: is the weight of a vehicle or container when it is empty.

GVM Gross Vehicle Mass: is the accepted safe, maximum allowable total mass of a fully loaded motor vehicle. It consists of the kerb mass (mass of the vehicle itself with all operating fluids) plus the payload.

GCM Gross Combination Mass: is the accepted safe, maximum allowable total mass of a fully loaded motor vehicle and all of its trailers.

MTM Braked (Maximum braked towed mass): is the manufactures maximum allowable braked towing weight

MTM Un-braked (Maximum un-braked towed mass): is the manufactures maximum allowable un-braked towing weight