Converting to commercial vehicle

[cynic-al]

I don't think it can be a car derived van as it's too heavy.

Might be able to call it dual purpose as the unladened weight might be under 2040 kg and it's 4wd. Not sure if you need 2 rows of seats for that?

If it falls into eather of these your good to put your foot down.

[w3526602]

Hi,

In the UK (and elsewheree?) a vehicleb with 4-wheel-drive is a DUAL PURPOSE vehicle (for RTA purposes). They do not nneed to comply with the blanket speed limits that apply (still?) to goods vehicles.

At that time, commercial vehicles were limited to 40mph. This was later raised to 50mph. I don't know the latest limit, if any. I believe some County police forces stopped enforcing it.

In 1964, I was caught doing 80mph in an 850cc Austin Minivan. As it had been fitted with rear seats, I considered it to be a passenger car.

I contacted Customs and Excise, who agreed with me, demanded that I present my car for Purchase Tax assessment.

I stated my case in court. The Clerk of the Court checked his books. The Purchase Tax regulations were dated 1956. But the 1962 RTA stated my speed limit was 40mph, so trumped the earlier law.

The Beaks fined me £2, and apologised for having to endorse my licence.

Some weeks later, C&E sent me a demand for Purchase tax .... £26. So a total of £28. Other Perps, who had be caught doing 50 in a 40 limit, and sent begging letters to the court, were all fined £10 by the same magistrates.

In 1965, I met my future wife, who worked in C&E head office. I told her what I thought of her employers. She went into work the following day, and called for my file. She did not like the derogatory description of my van, so sent the local officer a shirty letter ... about some other matter.

Actually, we was doing me a favour. The Assessment would have been based on the valuation.

602

Point of Law ... to be exempt from the goods vehicle speed limit, the van needed to be fitted with both side windows and seats, but C&E can hit you for either one. 4X4s, and I think Motor Homes are allowed to exceed the goods vehicle speed limit, as they are Dual Purpose