Running a 7.5 tonne truck

I would advise you not to go down the 7.5tonner route operator licences cpcs vosa spot inspections and all other associated costs and hassle. Especially for something that's only occaisional use. After all that you can budget £2000+ annually just to keep it on the road.
I'd look into hiring one if you have the right qualifications or stick to your initial pickup and trailer idea .
 

Kidds

Member
Horticulture
Does the fact that I’d be delivering my own produce have any impact on the requirement for me to have a cpc?
No. From what you have said so far you will need a CPC. We were in exactly the same position and deemed to require it.
You do have to have a 6 weekly maintenance plan but provided you have a suitable workshop (shed that the lorry will fit into) you can do it yourself. No need for any qualifications or anything provided you keep a record of inspections and repairs.
It all sounds rather complicated but if we can manage it anybody can, if your business needs it then do it. We certainly couldn't have run ours on pickups and trailers all the time and the lorry was always a bonus rather than a burden.
We avoided VOSA simply by running at night, not deliberately to avoid them but just that was when it suited us.
 

JeepJeep

Member
Trade
Operators CPC not required for carrying own goods... thats a restricted license , but maintenance schedules etc still apply. Not National or International license which is required for Hire or reward.
 

Muddyroads

Member
NFFN Member
Location
Exeter, Devon
No. From what you have said so far you will need a CPC. We were in exactly the same position and deemed to require it.
You do have to have a 6 weekly maintenance plan but provided you have a suitable workshop (shed that the lorry will fit into) you can do it yourself. No need for any qualifications or anything provided you keep a record of inspections and repairs.
It all sounds rather complicated but if we can manage it anybody can, if your business needs it then do it. We certainly couldn't have run ours on pickups and trailers all the time and the lorry was always a bonus rather than a burden.
We avoided VOSA simply by running at night, not deliberately to avoid them but just that was when it suited us.
What we’re you running yours for?
 

JeepJeep

Member
Trade
Drivers CPC and Operators CPC aren't the same.

For a restricted licence you don't need an Operators CPC. You'll still need an O licence but it'll be restricted to your own goods.

To Haul for others you'd need one or a Transport manager with one.
 

Dukes Fit

Member
Location
Aberdeenshire
So much misinformation.

The facts:

You will need an O license. If you're only going to be running your own produce/equipment then you'll only need a restricted license so won't need CPC or a named transport manager.

If running on a restricted license you will not need DCPC.

Maintenance schedules are entirely up to yourself. You should take into account age of vehicles, operating environment, type of work etc and tailor them to fit your operation. I have 3 lorries on 8 weekly inspection schedule. Inspections can vary from 4 to 13 weeks.

Keep your paperwork up to date and get everything sorted out and set up before you start, it's a little bit of outlay but makes life a lot easier in the long run. Things like tacho unit reader/card downloaded. Get a reputable maintenance provider and get the contract signed and filed. Get a separate diary and mark down all your schedules for tacho card/vehicle download, maintenance inspections for the next 12 months.

Don't buy a "cheap" lorry. Buy a decent one. Lorries need attention all the time no matter what work they are doing so don't buy an older one thinking its cheaper.

And behave yourself. As an O license holder you should be of "good repute" any convictions even completely unconnected to your business can affect your suitability to hold an O license
 
Location
southwest
A lot of what has been posted here is not correct, check the Govt website or speak to FTA or RHA (trade bodies)

If you are the driver, you will find your working hours (not just driving) severely curtailed. Compulsory 36 hour Rest (no other work can be done) each week, extended to 45 hrs every other week. Total hours must not exceed 60 per week or 15 hrs/day, and yest, they will want to see written records to back up your digicard.

So you can't do 6 or 7 day weeks (just walking round the stock on a Sunday will break the rules, as will starting at 6 o'clock then nipping out to check a calving cow at 10 o'clock at night.

And don't think they won't check. If you are in an accident and someone gets injured, they'll check your digicard, work sheets and mobile phone use and location.

And keep away from M5 Jnct 24 Tiverton, Splatford Split and Tamar Bridge as that's were you are most likely to be VOSA'd
 

Kidds

Member
Horticulture
Example 8: farm labourer transporting livestock and crops
A farm labourer drives a lorry on public roads around a farm to transport livestock and crops.

They need Driver CPC, as they’re carrying goods intended for sale - they’re not carrying materials or equipment

We grew fruit and veg, transporting it from farm to farm and delivering to wholesale markets.
There will be wrong information on here and even the Gov website tells you to seek legal advice rather than what they themselves tell you!
 
I remember back in the mid 80's a local animal feed firm bought a new
VW truck and I remember the boss saying there was a strange rule it could carry extra weight without tacho
Not much use to you other than you need to do in depth detailed research
 

roscoe erf

Member
Livestock Farmer
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WillH

Member
Location
Huddersfield
Getting stung by the newspapers for the notice was the worst part of it. Yorkshire post wanted £730 for ours this year as we had to reapply due to changing from partnership to limited luckily the huddersfield examiner was a bit cheaper at £230 even then still a lot for what it is we felt.
 

JP1

Member
Livestock Farmer
I would advise you not to go down the 7.5tonner route operator licences cpcs vosa spot inspections and all other associated costs and hassle. Especially for something that's only occaisional use. After all that you can budget £2000+ annually just to keep it on the road.
I'd look into hiring one if you have the right qualifications or stick to your initial pickup and trailer idea .
And if you do as said above do your LGV and have a 13 or 14 tonner that can actually carry summat
 

Timbo

Member
Location
Gods County
Drivers CPC and Operators CPC aren't the same.

For a restricted licence you don't need an Operators CPC. You'll still need an O licence but it'll be restricted to your own goods.

To Haul for others you'd need one or a Transport manager with one.

Sorry - wrong. If you are carrying goods for direct reward eg Cattle or Strawberry's, you need CPC.
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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