22 replies to this topic

[briddj]

A bit of a problem has cropped up for us this morning, if anyone knows a way to solves this I'd be grateful.

We booked a campervan months ago, then Hirebuddies was taken over and our booking was mixed up (said we were using a van from miles away). Anyway, they switched our booking to another hirer who is right by where we live. However, we've just discovered that this new van is over the 3500kg threshold for a normal driving licence.

However, if you passed your driving licence before January 1997 you are entitled to drive such a vehicle.

The problem is that the only one of us who fits into the criteria could only get a coach ticket in the Sunday resale.

Is there any chance Glastonbury would either let us collect the coach ticket instead at the festival (so the guy can drive the van) or swap the coach ticket so one of the other two of us goes on there instead?

[al_coholic]

I would say the most likely answer is no. I cant see anyway they will swap tickets and as we know coach tickets are only handed out on the coach by the driver to the person whose photo matches the ticket.

My best solution would be to get the driver down on the coach and someone follows with a car, as soon as he gets his ticket get him off the coach and drive him home

[redmosquito]

Always worth a phone call to the festival, see and your hire company and se what can be done.

Regarding the van though if no one is able to drive it then morally they should find a suitable alternative as its them thats chanhed the booking.

[briddj]

You think re: the booking. But it depends if there are any vans available near to where we live.

It would be good if anyone on hear knows of anyone who has solved a similar problem or worked out a coach ticket issue.

Typical that the only person with that licence is the one who has ended up on the coach...

[TheNewUnion]

There is something on the official site about having camper vans delivered to the site but I think it refers specifically to companies offering hire where you turn up and are assigned your van when you get there, does seem to suggest that, if possible, you might be able to get it delivered to site?

Or send someone else on the bus (in disguise if necessary!)

Edited by TheNewUnion, 20 April 2011 - 11:41 AM.

[Keef]

Someone else in your group takes the relevant driving test to get it added to their licence?  (I've no idea how easy/possible this is)

[t0paz]

I had a quick look on the DVLA website and found this:


C  Vehicles over 3,500 kg, with a trailer up to 750 kg  
C+E As category C but with a trailer over 750 kg

** You can drive these vehicles at age 18 if one of the following apply:

•you have passed your driving test and Driver CPC initial qualification
•you are learning to drive or taking a driving test for this category or Driver CPC initial qualification
•you are taking a national vocational training course to get a Driver CPC initial qualification
•you had your driving licence before 10 September 2009 - you must take the CPC periodic training within five years of this date

http://www.direct.go...ions/DG_4022547


So, looking at that last point, if you passed before Sept 10 2009 you can drive it, but you need to take the training within 5 years. Problem solved.

3500Kg is a lot though. It must be big!

[briddj]

No, I'm afraid you need to have the CPC first off I believe from what I have been told.

[t0paz]

If it's on the DVLA website I'd say it's likely to be true. Give them a call though and get a definitive answer.

[redmosquito]

briddj, on 20 April 2011 - 10:01 AM, said:

You think re: the booking. But it depends if there are any vans available near to where we live.

It would be good if anyone on hear knows of anyone who has solved a similar problem or worked out a coach ticket issue.

Typical that the only person with that licence is the one who has ended up on the coach...

I spent several years working for a company that rented articulated trailers so although its a bit different the same rules should apply.


In your case you've agreed to rent a particular camper, they've now changed your booking and the location, it's their responsibility to offer a suitable replacement. As the replacement is not suitable because you can't drive it, then they need to make sure that they have a van you can use available.

If they are a decent company they will simply arrange to have a suitable van delivered to their yard from another site and they take the financial hit because they messed up your booking. However some companies will just tell you, tough, this is all we have available and will expect you to cancel your booking. They won't be bothered about doing this because they'll easily be able to pick up another booking before June. If they take this approach then you may have some legal rights but it depends in how much, if any, money has changed hands. If you've paid a deposit or the full amount in advance then under contract law they have a legal obligation to honour your original booking or return all monies (if you agree) so that means they'll need to provide a van you can legally drive, if you've just make a reservation then they can do what they want.

Your best bet is to speak to someone as high up in the company as you can, explain how they've meesed you about, that you can't use the vehicle they've offered as a replacement and most companies will sort you out.

Edited by redmosquito, 20 April 2011 - 12:33 PM.

[briddj]

In a really ideal world we'll keep the camper van we've been given and be able to get our mate off the coach to drive it. Hopefully they will be understanding of our situation.

[crapfrenchcars]

Couple of questions, where is the coach ticket booked from and on what day?

I ask as I got a coach ticket but am planning on driving to Glastonbury. On the Wednesday,I'll drive to Glasto and leave my car there with tent etc and then get a train, stay in a hotel and get my coach back to Glasto on the Thursday.

If you're coach is not too far away your 'driver' could take the camper there and then get a train back to get on the coach?

[briddj]

crapfrenchcars, on 20 April 2011 - 12:52 PM, said:

Couple of questions, where is the coach ticket booked from and on what day?

I ask as I got a coach ticket but am planning on driving to Glastonbury. On the Wednesday,I'll drive to Glasto and leave my car there with tent etc and then get a train, stay in a hotel and get my coach back to Glasto on the Thursday.

If you're coach is not too far away your 'driver' could take the camper there and then get a train back to get on the coach?

It's from central London. There are a few logistical reasons why that's a "last resort" style solution - because we want to be next to our mates' camper (driving in at the same time) and one of us with a normal ticket cannot leave until the Thursday morning.

[redmosquito]

crapfrenchcars, on 20 April 2011 - 12:52 PM, said:

Couple of questions, where is the coach ticket booked from and on what day?

I ask as I got a coach ticket but am planning on driving to Glastonbury. On the Wednesday,I'll drive to Glasto and leave my car there with tent etc and then get a train, stay in a hotel and get my coach back to Glasto on the Thursday.

If you're coach is not too far away your 'driver' could take the camper there and then get a train back to get on the coach?

That is an incredibly convoluted way of getting to the festival, I don't understand the need to travel there twice to be honest, you'll still have to lug all your gear about etc and if your picking up your ticket on the coach you won't be able to get access to the site to pitch your tent so the only benefit that I can see is that you can leave when you want to. Very odd and a total waste of your money let alone the environmental aspects of all those wasted journey's.

You’re perfectly entitled to do what you want but your plan just doesn't seem to make any sense at all.

Also as an after thought if you are picking up your ticket on the coach then you might not even be able to bring your car as normally they won't let you into the car parks without a festival ticket.

[Styliko]

We are planning on doing the same as crapfrenchcars.

One person is driving down the day before and leaving all our stuff near Glastonbury.  Getting the train back and catching the coach the next day.  Once in Glastonbury we will go and collect the car, tents, etc.

[DeadAmos]

crapfrenchcars, on 20 April 2011 - 12:52 PM, said:

I ask as I got a coach ticket but am planning on driving to Glastonbury. On the Wednesday,I'll drive to Glasto and leave my car there with tent etc and then get a train, stay in a hotel and get my coach back to Glasto on the Thursday.

If you're coach is not too far away your 'driver' could take the camper there and then get a train back to get on the coach?

we have had always had to show our tickets before we are let into the carparks
is this just us that look dodgey or have others had the same experience

[redmosquito]

DeadAmos, on 20 April 2011 - 06:06 PM, said:

we have had always had to show our tickets before we are let into the carparks
is this just us that look dodgey or have others had the same experience

We've always had to show ours.

[tinktink]

I think the coach travel is causing more problems for people than anything, the amount of people who have sorted car-shares who have now got to go by coach to ensure there ticket, even having to travel to the other side of the country just to make sure they get coach & ticket, surely this is also bad for the carbon footprint ??

[jamseyboy]

I think you are trying to hire a tank.....have you got a weapons licence?

[crapfrenchcars]

redmosquito, on 20 April 2011 - 01:33 PM, said:

That is an incredibly convoluted way of getting to the festival, I don't understand the need to travel there twice to be honest, you'll still have to lug all your gear about etc and if your picking up your ticket on the coach you won't be able to get access to the site to pitch your tent so the only benefit that I can see is that you can leave when you want to. Very odd and a total waste of your money let alone the environmental aspects of all those wasted journey's.

You’re perfectly entitled to do what you want but your plan just doesn't seem to make any sense at all.

Also as an after thought if you are picking up your ticket on the coach then you might not even be able to bring your car as normally they won't let you into the car parks without a festival ticket.

Travelling once would involve so many buses and trains it would take forever (well quite a few hours), I don't live near one of the coach points for the whole journey. Lugging gear across the car park is much easier than the whole way too. I'm not fussed about getting into the site on the Wednesday and yes I agree getting home will be lots easier. Not a waste of money at all! I've got a ticket to Glasto and although its bit more complicated than normal, I'm going there. The environmental aspect is the same as it was, I'm getting a train that would be running anyway, and the same for the coach.

Well I see someone else is doing similar to me (expect there are quite a few) and also see others say I may not get in the car park with just the car park ticket. The latter point might well be the case, but I have got in before in this way as my mates were
waiting in the car park already with my entrance ticket, if I can't get in I'll find somewhere else to park (more emmissions!).