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Vehicle Transport and Recovery are two distinctly different areas within the Law.

As we specialise in both RECOVERY and TRANSPORT of vehicles we follow the law strictly.
 
Basically any vehicle used strictly for RECOVERY work is given some exemptions within the law.
1.  Any recovery vehicle is exempt from operators licence.
2.  Any recovery vehicle is exempt from the use of a tachograph.
3.  Recovery vehicle excise duty (road tax) applies at reduced rate.
 
 
Any vehicle used for TRANSPORT does not receive these exemptions and must pay full goods vehicle excise duty, follow tachograph and driving hours regulations where applicable and have a correct operators licence in force, where applicable.
 
Recovery is defined as the movement of any 'mechanically disabled vehicle' , ie broken down or accident damaged but only to a place of safety.
 
Simply speaking to transport a vehicle for any reason excluding the above, on a recovery vehicle is ILLEGAL.
 
Be aware that the operation of a recovery vehicle as a transporter invalidates the insurance.
 
Any vehicle found to be operating illegally could be impounded including any load carried!
 
When booking any vehicle transport you should ensure that the company has a valid operators licence (for transporters over 3500kg) and abides by tachograph regulations (for train weight over 3500kg)
 
Any reputable company will be happy to answer your questions and will know how important it is to abide by the law.
 

We cannot emphasise enough that YOUR VEHICLE IS AT RISK FROM BEING IMPOUNDED IN TRANSIT if your chosen transport company does not follow the strict guidelines governed by The Department of Transport Vehicle and Operator Services Agency ( VOSA ).

 

So, briefly...

 

  • Is my vehicle insured in your care ?

Yes. Once in our possession your vehicle is comprehensively insured.

  • Are you insured to drive my car to and from your transporter ?

Yes. This cover is often neglected by other operators - if in doubt ask the transporter operator for the evidence !

  • What does "Correctly Licensed" mean ? Are you ?

All vehicles that are used for the conveyance of goods for money that have a Gross Vehicle Weight ( GVW ) of  more than 3500kg must have on display in the windscreen an "O" or "Operators" licence in addition to the tax disc. If it does not, or it is out of date, it may be being operated illegally - if in doubt ask the transporter operator for the evidence !  None of our vehicles require "O" licences.

  • What is a "Tachograph" ? Do your vehicles have them ?

All vehicles that are used for the conveyance of goods for money that have a Gross Vehicle Weight ( GVW ) or Train Weight ( Vehicle plus Trailer ) of  more than 3500kg must be fitted with a tachograph. In simple terms this is a record of the drivers working day to ensure that driving rules are adhered to, which are very strict and governed by law. All of our vehicles are fitted with Tachographs and operated within the rules governed by The Department of Transport Vehicle and Operator Services Agency ( VOSA ).

  • My car is being delivered on a trailer pulled by a 4x4. Is that OK ?

If your vehicle is being delivered on a trailer then the towing vehicle must be fitted with a tachograph as detailed above irrespective of vehicle type, be it Car, 4x4, Panel Van or otherwise. If it does not, it may be being operated illegally - if in doubt ask the transporter operator for the evidence ! Further restrictions apply to the total weight of towing vehicle and trailer too. Even when the trailer is empty we are still governed by the tachograph laws.

  • I have been told that my car is arriving on a "Recovery Truck", the rules don't apply here they said ?

Vehicle Transportation is NOT Vehicle Recovery. The same rules apply as detailed above and this vehicle may be being operated illegally.

  • What should I ask the companies ? I don't want my car impounded !

Ask how the vehicle will be transported - if on a truck, what type of truck ? What is the Gross Vehicle Weight ? If over 3500kg or recovery truck does it have a Tacho Fitted ? Does it have an operators licence on display ? If it's on a trailer,  is the towing vehicle fitted with a tachograph ? If any of the answers are "No" then it is likely that the transporter is being operated illegally - if in doubt ask the transporter operator for the evidence !

 

There are a number of very good vehicle transportation companies operating up and down the United Kingdom and thankfully very few rogues. However a few simple checks on your behalf will bring very great peace of mind. Good operators big and small will never hesitate to answer your questions or provide any evidence that you may require. Sadly we hear many tales of those that have been bitten in the past - the delivery of a new car be it a banger for restoration or a concours example is always something to look forward to so...

PLEASE REMEMBER - YOUR VEHICLE IS AT RISK FROM BEING IMPOUNDED IN TRANSIT if your chosen operator does not operate within the law !