Angus1215 and Jeepster, thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I can see nothing there that states or implies that a showman's vehicle can be a "place of residence" for the purposes of registering that vehicle.
Quote:
the Secretary of State shall register the vehicle in such manner as he thinks fit without any further application by the person to whom the licence is issued.
So, I wonder if this gives those of no fixed abode the right to be the registered keeper of a vehicle, which would imply that DVLA have yet again got it wrong?
FWIW, a tried to bottom this issue out a few years ago by approaching various organisations who deal with "travellers' law" and/or exist to support gypsies and travellers. I asked (as a prospective traveller) how their "clients" got around the DVLA and insurance company requirement for a permanent residential address. Those organisations either didn't know or refused to comment. So for some time I've suspected that a good many travellers haven't properly registered their vehicles, which implies they don't have VED or insurance; and I suspect that the authorities turn a blind eye to this.
Came across this on the net and I was reminded of when I learned about such technical Road Traffic laws some 32 years ago.
I have a distant memory of travellers being able to give a Post Office as an address provided they visit it a given number of times a year. Can't be more specific than that as I can't remember any more!
* In this country, if you have no fixed abode you are treated pretty much as a vagrant. You will find it difficult because of anti-money-laundering regs to maintain a bank account. Healthcare will be difficult because you won't be able to register with a doctor etc. You will lose the right to vote and the Vagrancy Act takes other rights away.
* As a private individual, you must provide DVLA with a physical, residential address for both your licence and your vehicle registration. Without a suitable address, you cannot legally keep a motor vehicle and it might make your licence invalid. While incorporated bodies can use a PO box, living people cannot.
* You can use the address of a willing friend or neighbour if you don't have a "concrete caravan" and I understand that some New Age Travellers use the address of a willing B&B. However, pragmatically, you have to be able to live at the address you give even if you spend all your time away.
* It might be possible to use a mailbox service (e.g. Mailboxes etc.) for DVLA purposes, but IME that's moot because of insurance requirements. That said, you need to ensure that mail sent to the address that you've given DVLA etc. will reach you, and this is where a mailbox service can come in handy. MBE, for example, have depots all over UK and Europe and it only takes a phone call a couple of days ahead to check if you have mail and arrange to forward it to somewhere convenient for you to collect. So it can make it easier for the person at your registered address to forward it to your mailbox and let the mailbox company handle delivery from there.
* I've only found one company (Comfort Insurance) who will insure full timers. All the rest I've asked require that you reside at the address you give, while Comfort only require that you are a UK resident. Comfort are the only company I've found who will give full year coverage for European travel and can supply green cards (for an admin fee) for most European countries that require one (no "mainstream" EU country does). However, Comfort require a residential address and it must be the one that's on your licence.
* Whatever you do, do not hide the full-timing nature of your vehicle use from the insurers. By all means dress it up by calling it "an extended tour", but if you fail to declare this (or any other significant fact) you risk voiding your insurance.
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"If I let go of what I am, I can become what I might be".
LOL - I remember writing that, although IIRC I posted it to another forum. I've been planning to go full time for a few years, and passed my research on both here and elsewhere. That said, I wasn't expecting my own work to be quoted back to me!
Having said that, I've since found that DVLA are unlikely to accept a MBE address since they're suspicious of addresses that seem to be building with hundreds or even thousands of "flats". However, there are some mailing services where everyone uses the same address and they sort whose mail is whose by name.
they do declare some.(basic minimum) of there takings but as with any cash job who with out wathing 24-7 can sa how much they earn/take
As for the address thing most fairground staff do actually have a fixed abode may it be a travelers site or a house its still there permanent address,and may be shared by several persons.
yes its a tricky side of the law that i guess not even the police would like to anser,
as for the saftey aspct of there vehicles some of the guys ive come across while working actually run 100% if not 110% safe trucks and possibley do alot more maintanance of there trucks than most.
I consider myself an avereage bloke who does what I can to feed and clothe my family... I enjoy the freedom of driving somewhere with my caravan and pitching up somewhere diffferent like most of you...
You could call me an 'ist' of some kind but these 'Traveling folk' live and drive in the same country as I do and therefore should abide by the same rules as I do. This includes vehicle taxes, licences, colour of deisel, MOT's.
Whilst the people you may have come across seem to have the very high standard of maintenance on their trucks I am driving the same roads and would much prefer there trucks were checked by someone who is qualified to give an opinion. They can get away with driving what and how they like (too much hassel for the police to deal with), and I get pulled over for mistakingly having left my fog lights on (£30 fine by the way).
To make it worse they charge a fortune to get on the rides for which they pay little or no tax on!!
Anyway... think I better stop there
------------- If you Don't ask, you Don't get..............
Easter - Alton Towers
May - Aveniemore
Summer - South West London (theme parks all Around)
September - Not Sure
October - Blackpool (Yet more Theme parks and attractions
Life is a Roller coaster and we will be on loads this year...
No i totally agree, i see the earnings made, and i agree that the the so called law of the land needs to be looked at,
however there vehicles do have tests just not in the same way as ours and maybe not as strict (im not directly involved so couldnt really say) i just remember this debate being brought up once and im sure there tests are done with by the person/s who test the rides etc.But I may be wrong
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: How many can you tow?
