Unsure of my minibus speed limits

Cripes

Hi folks

I have a 2006 Renault Trafic SWB 'minibus' with 8 passenger seats + driver and I'm confused whether car speed limits apply. I previously had a VW T4 Caravelle and a T5 Transporter Shuttle, and I believe both had car limits.

The V5 lists my Trafic as being Body type 'MPV' and Taxation class 'Diesel car', with Vehicle category 'M1'. I understand vehicle weights may affect the question as well, I think mine is 1790kg.

Thanks for any advice.

unholyangel

Whats the weight?

Pretty sure renault traffics are not cars for the purpose of speed limits.

Cripes

unholyangel wrote: »

Whats the weight?

Pretty sure renault traffics are not cars for the purpose of speed limits.

I believe the weight is 1790kg - actually less than the VW vehicles which definitely had car speed limits (Caravelle and Transporter Shuttle).

unholyangel

Cripes wrote: »

I believe the weight is 1790kg - actually less than the VW vehicles which definitely had car speed limits (Caravelle and Transporter Shuttle).

Sorry I should have specified, its by laden weight.

https://www.renault.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/trafic-passenger/dimensions.html

This page seems to indicate all models are over 2 tonnes laden which would (even if its a car derived van) mean you're subject to the speed limits of a goods vehicle not exceeding 7.5t.

ETA: This page gives a bit more info: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/car-derived-vans-and-dual-purpose-vehicles/car-derived-vans-and-dual-purpose-vehicles

Cripes

Thanks, that would imply that when fully loaded with passengers it would exceed 2 tonnes and be subject to the lower 'van' limits.

However, there's plenty of (mis)information around that states that there are exceptions to this - i.e. the Caravelle.

I'll do some more digging...

Paradigm

It's not a minibus, it's a car... even the V5 says so.
Up to 8 passenger seats + driver & unladen weight under 3050kg is classed as a car & is subject to car speed limits.


To be a minibus it would have to have 9-16 passenger seats, any more than 16 it's a coach.

Cripes

Paradigm wrote: »

It's not a minibus, it's a car... even the V5 says so.
Up to 8 passenger seats + driver & MAM under 3050kg is classed as a car & is subject to car speed limits.


To be a minibus it would have to have 9-16 passenger seats, any more than 16 it's a coach.

Thanks, that's why I described it as 'minibus' with 8 passenger seats, as the V5C makes no mention of minibus, it just mentions MPV and diesel car as the body type and taxation class. I also pay car tax rates not the flat commercial van lower rate.

Would like to hear from folk in a similar situation, and whether any police/safety camera interest was consistent or not.

Paradigm

Cripes wrote: »

Thanks, that's why I described it as 'minibus' with 8 passenger seats, as the V5C makes no mention of minibus, it just mentions MPV and diesel car as the body type and taxation class. I also pay car tax rates not the flat commercial van lower rate.

Would like to hear from folk in a similar situation, and whether any police/safety camera interest was consistent or not.

See this thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/72703899#Comment_72703899 particularly post #37 on the 2nd page.

Your Renault is a car & subject to car speed limits, no grey area, no arguments....it's a car.


Edit: Not 3050 MAM but 3050 unladen weight.

w06

Although the trafic is not a car derived van, if the v5 body type is mpv that makes it same class as a car, the van version of a trafic has the body type 'panel van' and when changed to camper 'motor caravan'

first one on teh list here

https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits

Cripes

w06 wrote: »

Although the trafic is not a car derived van, if the v5 body type is mpv that makes it same class as a car, the van version of a trafic has the body type 'panel van' and when changed to camper 'motor caravan'

first one on teh list here

https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits

Thanks folks.

It was the issue over laden weight and not being a car-derived-van that had me doubting whether it was subject to the lower van limits, and the definition of minibus.

Phew!

unholyangel

Paradigm wrote: »

It's not a minibus, it's a car... even the V5 says so.
Up to 8 passenger seats + driver & MAM under 3050kg is classed as a car & is subject to car speed limits.


To be a minibus it would have to have 9-16 passenger seats, any more than 16 it's a coach.

The RTA seems to disagree with you:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/27/schedule/6

Have a quick google and you'll see many renault trafic owners being on the receiving end of a speeding offence for thinking they're subject to the same speed limits as cars when they aren't (even where the V5 is incorrectly registered).