DMC up to 4,500 kg for B category? The EU is consulting!

DMC up to 4,500 kg for B category? The EU is consulting! – main image

To say that the current rules on motorhome tonnage are invalid is basically saying nothing. Every citizen of the European Union can express his opinion by 20 May and thus contribute to convincing European commissioners to make decisions long awaited by a camper van.

A pressing problem for the industry

The European Commission has been examining the directive on communication powers, adopted in 2006, for some time. An important aspect is the tonnage of vehicles with a GVM exceeding 3.5 tons and the possibility of driving them by persons with a category B driving license.

It is worth recalling that the commission conducted preliminary consultations already in May 2021 to define the thematic areas that should be addressed during the revision of the regulations. More than 2,200 applications were collected then, mainly from EU citizens, most of whom were RV users. Everyone demanded a tonnage change for category B to 4.25 or even 4.5 tons. One of the proposals currently on the table envisages granting driving licenses up to 4.25 tonnes to people who acquired the license (read: category B driving license) after 1999.

Industry organizations go even further

The FICM (Fédération Internationale des Clubs de Camping-Cars) organization has largely contributed to this success. The chairman, addressing the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, made an argument underlining the archaic nature of the 3.5-ton limit dating back to the 17th century and drew attention to the problems and challenges that the caravanning industry has been facing for over 20 years.

Industry organizations such as the FICM and the Reisemobil Union, representing the interests of over 2.5 million RV users, are calling for participation in the consultation. The common goal is to modernize Directive 2006/126 and collect opinions and comments from citizens in this regard. In short - the main postulate of the organization is to transfer the entitlements provided by the C1 driving license to the B category. The link below leads to the Polish language version of the consultation, and participation in them is possible until midnight on May 20, 2022. We will, of course, inform about the progress in this topic inform.

https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12978-Revision-de-la-directive-relative-au-permis-de-conduire/public-consultation_en

Maciej Kinal
Maciej Kinal

I feel best in the form of trade fairs and meetings with enthusiasts. Technical freak. In my life I have dismantled many motorhomes for the first time. Fan of large vehicles, mountain biking and traveling without weight and financial restrictions. At CampRest, I am responsible for all publications on automotive topics.

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Sun and rain protection at the campsite – image 1
Accessories
Sun and rain protection at the campsite
The weather, especially on summer holidays, can be capricious. Although it is impossible to predict it, we can be properly prepared for it. Whether it is sun or rain - it is worth considering the equipment of the motorhome that will allow us to enjoy the holiday regardless of the weather conditions. What accessories are worth investing in? Especially awnings, side walls and roller blinds for motorhomes will protect us from the scorching sun and persistent rainfall. Although awnings are optional accessories for a motorhome, investing in buying them before the summer season can save us a lot of nerves during our dream trip. Each of us has experienced at least once the discomfort associated with the heat pouring down from the sky and the hours of rain, which effectively discourage leaving the motorhome. Fortunately - the solutions available in the stores with camping accessories are a real godsend during bad weather. There are two types of awnings to choose from by the owners of motorhomes - wall and roof awnings, which, as the name suggests, are mounted on the side of the vehicle or on the roof, always in places reinforced at the factory by the vehicle manufacturer. When the weather conditions are unfavorable, a well-taut material is ejected quietly and gently from a special cassette, which is an effective barrier against sun rays or raindrops. In the offer of leading manufacturers such as Dometic, Fiamma or Thule, we can find both manually operated awnings and those equipped with an electric system. When buying, it is worth paying attention to models equipped with a special rain drainage pipe.