Tesco home delivery vans

KierNet

Quick question hopefully, am I able to drive the Tesco home delivery vans on a standard car license? No idea what categories I have, fairly sure its just B though.

Not sure what van it is, so a bit stuck!

newfoundglory

Not sure, but I would imagine the answer could be yes with a B category. You will need to check that the maximum mass of the vehicles that they use does not exceed 3,500kg though.

patman99

Depends how long ago you passed your test. Pre-April 1993 and you can drive up to (and including) 7.5 Tonnes. Between 1993 and 2001, you can drive up to 3.5 Tonnes.
As They are all based on Mercedes 3.5Tonne Sprinters, you will be fine.

KierNet

patman99 wrote: »

Depends how long ago you passed your test. Pre-April 1993 and you can drive up to (and including) 7.5 Tonnes. Between 1993 and 2001, you can drive up to 3.5 Tonnes.
As They are all based on Mercedes 3.5Tonne Sprinters, you will be fine.

Thanks, I passed in 2007.

Is it 3.5tonne unloaded, no idea how much food they carry, but wouldn't want that to put me over!

Hammyman

KierNet wrote: »

Thanks, I passed in 2007.

Is it 3.5tonne unloaded, no idea how much food they carry, but wouldn't want that to put me over!

No, it si 3.5 tonnes PLATED GROSS WEIGHT. That is the maximum weight that the vehicle can be when fully loaded. It is the plated weight that matters, not the unloaded weight - i.e if you don't have C1 on your licence you can't drive a 7.5 tonner when its empty just because it weighs less than 3.5 tonnes.

forgotmyname

My sister passed in 1997 under the new rules and she could drive one, Plates at 3.5tons gross (loaded) or less. Not sure if
there have been changes since then?

If you have never diven a van before you may want some practice, My sister had to go on an assessment day where they
had to take one the vehicles out and drive a set route. Someone was there to see how she drove.
If you start hitting kerbs and mirrors or fail to complete the route in the time allowed (traffic permitting) you dont get the job.

adi_clarke85

I drive a Sainsbury's van and previously a driving instructor, I can confirm you will be fine with a category B licence.

KierNet

forgotmyname wrote: »

My sister passed in 1997 under the new rules and she could drive one, Plates at 3.5tons gross (loaded) or less. Not sure if
there have been changes since then?

If you have never diven a van before you may want some practice, My sister had to go on an assessment day where they
had to take one the vehicles out and drive a set route. Someone was there to see how she drove.
If you start hitting kerbs and mirrors or fail to complete the route in the time allowed (traffic permitting) you dont get the job.

I should be OK driving it, my mum has a Citroen Dispatch that I've been driving since I passed my test at 17. So pretty used to them.

adi_clarke85 wrote: »

I drive a Sainsbury's van and previously a driving instructor, I can confirm you will be fine with a category B licence.

Brilliant, thanks!

vikingaero

Most of the standard supermarket delivery vans can be driven on a car licence. Depending on type the payload is between 900kg to 1,200kg. So add on a 2ish ton van and it's safely under 3.5 tons.

forgotmyname

They are a bit bigger than a Despatch. My sister drives transit sized vehicles, Which have a small chiller
compartment which is separate from the main loading area.