Drivers of Historic Vehicles.

For the life of me.
I was reading about it last week . But can't find it now.
I have a chance to buy a 66 truck , mine at the moment is a F350 Ford,  which is Under 4.500kg.
The new one is 5.700kg , from what l looked at last week , as it Is on historic plates , l will be right..
Can anyone remember the post , section. Thank you.

I will have a look but I have serious doubts you can go outside whatever licence you have just because it is on historic plates eg Auto Only or Car Licence Only.

From a reply on the Federal Government Austroads web site FAQ. With the unified road laws every state is marching to the same tune regarding vehicle standards, driver requirements and road laws. Registration and road fine levels are only administrative things so the states run their own, but similar, systems to squeeze as much money out of the motorist as politically acceptable.


 Yes, you need the appropriate truck licence for the vehicle's class, even if it is a historic truck. A special interest or historic vehicle registration scheme doesn't remove the requirement for a specific driver's license, like an HC (Heavy Combination) or MR (Medium Rigid) licence, to legally drive the vehicle.
Driver's licence requirements
You must hold the correct class of driver's licence for the size and weight of the truck, as you would for any other vehicle.
Special interest or historic vehicle registration schemes are for vehicle registration purposes and do not change the legal requirements for the driver's licence class.
Upgrading to a heavier vehicle licence class typically involves meeting prerequisites like holding your current licence for a specific period and passing a road rules test and a practical driving test.
Registration differences
Historic registration is a concession: The Special Interest Vehicle Concession Scheme (available in Queensland, for example) offers reduced fees but restricts usage. It's for limited, non-daily driving purposes, and the vehicle cannot be used for hire or reward.
Club permit schemes: Some clubs offer a permit scheme, which also has specific rules for use. You must check the specific rules for the scheme you're using in your state.
Certificate of Approved Operations: If you are using a scheme with a logbook, you must carry the Certificate of Approved Operations at all times when the vehicle is in use.

Without looking I would think Lang is correct

Many years ago on the forum a fella got a J series Bedford derated so he could drive it on a car license

But if I remember correctly it was a huge head ache and a lot had to be done to achieve this

Paul

As far as NSW is concerned, Lang's info is spot on.
As for having a truck derated, years ago Mitsubishi would do a derate on some of their smaller trucks, but it was just a simple paperwork and compliance plate derate to put them under 4.5t. I know of some that were done to pull 5th wheel floats so the kids could drive them. Bit ridiculous really.

Derating a vehicle is not a drama if the downgrade is not too far from the original weight to get under 4,500kg. I have done this 3 times (the last being my OKA so Bev could drive it)

As Wee-Allis said, some vehicles like Mitsubishi Canters and Isuzu have models about 5,500GVM that can be automatically downgraded just by changing tyre size. They have a plaque attached indicating the two figures.

My experience with sensible engineers has been positive with two different people. I think it cost about $250 for them to have a look and scratch out a new blue-plate and attach it. They may require a weight certificate to see if it can be done. For instance my OKA was very close to 4,500kg unloaded so he noted that the second fuel tank was for off-road use only and only 30 of my 200 litres of water could be carried on road. Common sense blokes.

For club events you tell them no load or more sensibly get it weighed for the engineer (take off the spare, remove all your tools, remove any tray racks and sideboards etc and have 2 litres of fuel and you step out while it is being weighed) . Standard person is 70kg - I wish - so add 70kg to the empty weight for the driver and the difference between that and 4,500kg is your load capacity. Of course I doubt in the history of the world an old bloke in an historic truck with a Fergy or show car on the back has ever been stopped and weighed.

I imagine if you had a bogey drive prime mover as a 4,500kg target just for club events unloaded you would have to do some talking.

Mate hard his iveco downrated to save rego costs ( he’s a scabby Greek) and then got put over the scales and was 150 kg over 15tonne. He copped several thousands in fines for that and the fact some of the load wasn’t tied down, apparently chains and ratchet straps are too expensive
Gumpy

Vicroads told this club (and several other clubs I have been in) that the licence is required to drive the type of vehicle, How it is registered/permitted doesn't change this. It doesn't matter whether the vehicle is a motorbike, car or truck you must have the appropriate licence and the police and other will check.
I was at an informal cars and coffee last year and an EA falcon turns up on NSW historic plates (we were in Echuca so not uncommon). He had this exact argument with the police as he only had a motorbike licence but claimed as it was on historic registration he didn't need a car licence. Apparently, he got booked again in NSW on the way home.

The little C1300 I had was stamped as 10,000lb which translates to 4,545kg. When I filled out the form for rego, pre blue slips, I just put it done at 3,950kg so the bride and anyone else with a car license could drive it. Never got queried about my poor maths.