Andy, as supplied by Mick Norton: Thanks Mick
Reference Site Dumpers being used on the public highway.
The main sources of reference are;
• DVLA, (INF 52), 7/10, Information for drivers of large vehicles.
• OPERC Safety Alert (ALT-010)
www.operc.com/SafetyAlert/ALT_010_A3.pdf • HSE Construction Information Sheet No 52 (Revision 1)
Site personnel who hold a full Category B driving licence can drive any of the following, known as "EXEMPTED" GOODS VEHICLES. the list is not exhaustive.
• goods vehicles powered by steam.
• Any road construction vehicles
• Any engineering equipment, (but not cranes).
• Forklift trucks.
• Digging machines.
Other exempted goods vehicles are those that do not use public roads for distances of more than 9.7 kilometres in total during any week.
The mythical example you gave is in fact correct. Exemptions apply to some goods vehicles, which,
• Do not travel more than 1.5 kilometres on roads at one time.
I have been doing battle with a leading card scheme that has claimed eg, that a telescopic handler carrying a load on it's forks for short distances along the public highway becomes an LGV . This is ABSOLUTE NONSENSE. Similarly the leading card scheme stipulates the need for categories G and H in addition to Category B for Rollers and Tracked items of engineering plant, which hold the Dof T exemption.
NB: TO DRIVE THE DUMPER (AS AN EXEMPTED GOODS VEHICLE) ON THE PUBLIC HIGHWAY THE OPERATOR MUST HOLD A FULL CAT B DRIVING LICENCE. THE MINIMUM OPERATOR AGE IS DETERMINED BY THE WEIGHT- AGED 18 FOR MACHINES WITH A MAXIMUM AUTHORISED MASS, (MAM), BETWEEN 3.5 TONNES AND 7.5 TONNES, AND AGED 21 FOR THOSE OVER 7.5 TONNES.