B licence and driving a 9 seater

JohnXon

Hi all,
I just bought a 9 seater that is classed as a MPV/M1 vehicle and was wondering if a B class licence enables me to drive it?
I read somewhere that a B licence allows you to drive vehicles with seats for a maximum of 8 passengers in addition to the driver which is what I have.
Probably a silly question but I would rather get other peoples views.
Thank you.
John....

rubberdungeon

A category B driving licence authorises you to drive a car, van or 4 x 4 which has a maximum mass (as specified by the manufacturer) of not more than 3,500kg and is designed and constructed to carry no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver.


https://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Your-Vehicle/About-your-Vehicle/Example-of-non-Dup/Trailers-/Advice-and-Checks-for-Trailers-/

JohnXon

Thanks for the response - so I am good if my maths work : 8 passengers in addition to driver = 9.
Definitely a silly question.

colm_mcm

B licence covers 1+8

stedeb

Think it is in seats that are driver and 8 max. You cant have a minibus with 16 seats but only have 8 passengers in it and think its ok.

JohnXon

I just found the wording confusing. Met a few so called experts after I getting it saying I need a D1 licence..

Sixtoes

Insurance can be difficult with any more than 7 seats. When I was buying a passenger van, for private use a few years ago, I was deciding between a 7 seater VW Caravelle and an 8 seat Merc V class. I couldn’t find anyone that would give me private insurance on the merc because it had 8 seats.

JohnXon

Re insurance that's my next challenge....

Del2005

JohnXon wrote: »

Re insurance that's my next challenge....

You should always get a quote before you buy not after.

JohnXon

Del2005 wrote: »

You should always get a quote before you buy not after.

True :rolleyes::rolleyes: - I had no hassle switching my insurance onto it temporarily, so I am hopeful.
Thanks for the advice.

alias no.9

Del2005 wrote: »

You should always get a quote before you buy not after.

If you have an existing policy that is being transferred, they cannot decline to swap it over once you have already bought the car AFAIK but if you have not yet bought the car, they can decline to quote.

Del2005

alias no.9 wrote: »

If you have an existing policy that is being transferred, they cannot decline to swap it over once you have already bought the car AFAIK but if you have not yet bought the car, they can decline to quote.

You could get a much higher premium depending on what you were driving vs what you bough, it can go down also. It also gives you an idea of what your renewal will be if you get a few quotes from different companies. .

It's easy to get the policy transferred but then you could be stuck with your current insurance company and their inflated renewal depending on the age and engine size of your new car.

Alkers

Sixtoes wrote: »

Insurance can be difficult with any more than 7 seats. When I was buying a passenger van, for private use a few years ago, I was deciding between a 7 seater VW Caravelle and an 8 seat Merc V class. I couldn’t find anyone that would give me private insurance on the merc because it had 8 seats.

Never heard anything like that, have an 8-seater myself with no issues

CiniO

I was once considering buying a 9 seater (1+8) like renault trafic, and rang several insurers and all of them said they wouldn't cover me for private use in such vehicle.

I'm not saying it's not possible to get cover, but it certainly won't be easy.

Silly that again insurers are writing their own rules like your B licence allows you to drive such vehicle, but insurer won't because they don't like the idea of allowing you to drive it.