Requirements for VRM, insurance, MOT and tax

[ostell]

A club that I know uses a small dumper truck for ground maintenance, no VRM, tax, MOT or insurance. No problems using it within the private grounds of the club. However, from time to time the dumper leaves the confines of the club and is used on the adjoining road. It has been queried with the officers of the club but they have stated that because the road is unadopted it must be private and therefore there are no requirements to be met re tax and insurance etc.

The road in question has none of the accoutrements of a private road, ie signs or gates, but traffic is free to use the road without hindrance. It is a loop between two adopted roads.

Any pointers to the definition of public or private and the road traffic act requirements?

[Tools]

Re: Requirements for VRM, insurance, MOT and tax

A couple of pertinent questions for you first.

What fuel does it use, red or white diesel

When you say dumper truck, can you clear up exactly what make/type i.e is it one of these


or a lorry style such as this (yes I know it's technically a tipper truck)

[ostell]

Re: Requirements for VRM, insurance, MOT and tax

The small yellow one and red diesel (because the club is a sailing club and red diesel is available for the boats). The name plate has long gone as far as I recollect.

[sean5302]

Re: Requirements for VRM, insurance, MOT and tax

Any road, car park or piece of land to which the public has access is classed as a place where vehicles must display a VRM, carry insurance and be taxed.
There is an exemption for farm vehicles which allows them not to display a VRM on trailers (only).
This was implemented a couple of years ago to stop "yoof" from drag racing in Tesco supermarkets et al.
If plod catches a vehicle in the circumstances you describe, they'll impound and get the CPS to prosecute.

[Kati]

Re: Requirements for VRM, insurance, MOT and tax

I've a question too ... who is it that maintains the road? Is it down to the council or the owners of the club to repair potholes/grit in bad weather etc...?

[Tools]

Re: Requirements for VRM, insurance, MOT and tax

It may be exempt under certain conditions, the wording is as follows

Vehicles used just for agriculture, horticulture and forestry

This includes tractors, agricultural engines and light agricultural vehicles used off-road. It also includes ‘limited use’ vehicles used for short journeys (not more than 1.5 kilometres) on the public road between land that’s occupied by the same person.

[Tools]

Re: Requirements for VRM, insurance, MOT and tax

I would be inclined to check, in writing, with the DVLA, that will clear things up and cover you in either case.

[ostell]

Re: Requirements for VRM, insurance, MOT and tax

The road is maintained by the residents of the road, it is an unadopted road. The club entrance is just another entrance on the road but the club land runs along side the road for most of its length, with the houses (about 50?) on the other, landward, side of the road. The dumper is taken onto the road when there is maintenance work on fencing or land very adjacent to the road.

I am concerned in that the usual driver of the dumper could lose his license because of this and suffer other severe penalties. The club officer who made the statement is always right in his opinions. :tinysmile_twink_t2:

The work is not agricultural and while on the road it is not between two properties owned by the club.

[Tools]

Re: Requirements for VRM, insurance, MOT and tax

Well as Sean has quite rightly pointed out, if there is public access it is classed as a public highway. I really would speak with the DVLA about this.

I would also check with the clubs' insurance that they are covered to use the FTD outside the grounds.