Wow so much red tape to drive a small motorhome.
Here in Virginia I can buy and drive a 45ft diesel motorhome with my regular car licence and am good to go all over USA, Canada and Mexico.
All of us "oldies" have a grandfather right in their car driving licence to drive quite large vehicles: for example my licence allows me to drive a a class C1E vehicle, which is defined as "Vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg carrying no more than 8 passengers plus driver with trailer over 750kg, if combined vehicle and trailer weight isn’t more than 8,250kg".
BUT once the driver is 70 he/she has to renew the licence every 3 years. From 1998, new drivers have been required to pass additional tests for categories B+E, C1, C1+E, D1 and D1+E but existing holders of a general car licence at that date were effectively given ‘grandfather’ rights to the new categories until renewal.
These ‘grandfather’ rights, however, are not renewed automatically, so if you wish to retain them after 70, you must ask to do so and will need to provide a medical certificate with the renewal request. (A medical certificate is not required for categories B + E alone).
The medical cost is significant, so many people don't bother to apply. As has become clear, re-applying is a gaff and expensive. So, think carefully before NOT applying!
Amusingly, the C1 rating allows us to drive the tractor part of a semi trailer....as long as it weighs less than 7,500kg, which most are!
