If you’re new to owning a motorhome, you may feel a little overwhelmed with all the information you now need to remember. With weight restrictions, laws about driving abroad and how to keep your motorhome in mint condition, there’s a lot to consider. However, once you’ve got to grips with everything, you’ll realise why buying a motorhome is the best thing for holidaying and visiting new destinations.
A convenient and luxurious way to travel, complete with all your home comforts, a motorhome is a great investment that you’ll enjoy for years to come. One of the things you’ll probably notice when you get a motorhome is how different it is to drive. So, if you’re looking for some tips on being able to drive a motorhome confidently, then you’re in the right place!
Are you allowed to drive a motorhome?
Your driving license may have some limitations as to what you are able to drive legally. If you passed your driving test before 1 January 1997, you will automatically have the right to drive category C1 vehicles. This means you can drive vehicles up to 7500kg, which includes most motorhome models.
If you passed your test after January 1997, your standard driving license will only allow you to drive category B and B1 vehicles. Most new motorhomes are built with a maximum allowable mass of 3500kg, which is included in category B. If you’re hoping to drive a larger motorhome of up to 7500kg, you will need to take an additional driving test to acquire category C1.
When you reach 70 years of age, you will need to renew your driving license and you may lose your category C1 entitlement. To avoid this happening to you, speak to your GP and ask them to fill in a medical report.
Driving a motorhome
Sometimes you may be put off buying a motorhome because it seems a daunting vehicle to drive. While it’s true that it’s very different from driving a car, you do get the hang of it quite quickly. There’s just a few extra considerations that you should be aware of!
You should remember to give yourself more time to do everything than you would normally. So, braking earlier and accelerating slower than you would in your car is recommended. Likewise, you should be aware of the size of your motorhome. The extra length means that you should be ready to take corners widely so that you don’t catch the back of your motorhome on the kerb.
Driving a motorhome also comes with some restrictions on speed. Depending on the weight and class of your motorhome, the legal speed limits may differ on single carriageways, dual carriageways and motorways. It’s worth checking before you start driving to ensure that you are driving your vehicle safely! Overtaking in your motorhome should be done carefully, especially if you are passing cyclists and horses.
The most important thing when driving your motorhome is to know its dimensions. This is helpful for approaching low bridges or narrow roads. Double check the dimensions if you have added features such as a satellite dish, bike rack or roof box.
So, if you’re hoping to buy a motorhome, make sure you are able to drive it confidently!
