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Re Registering An Ambulance?!


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#1 robminibcy

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Posted 01 August 2014 - 10:48 PM

hi, I will soon be the owner of a 1991 Vauxhall midi ambulance. It is recorded on its details with dvla as being an ambulance and also seems to have free road tax. My intentions are to keep it looking as an ambulance outside and do a camper conversion inside. Can anyone say with authority whether I will run in to problems leaving it registered as an ambulance?

 

secondly is there a problem with having blue lights fitted. Obviously I'm aware it would be an offence to use them on the road but is there any problem with them just being there.

 

I have spent hours searching tinterweb and info seems incredibly vage unless I've been looking in the wrong places!



#2 JacckKirk

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Posted 01 August 2014 - 10:52 PM

Blue lights should be fine
Little brother had a fire engine limo & they actually used them on the road with sirens

#3 Dan

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Posted 01 August 2014 - 11:17 PM

In what way is it registered as an ambulance? If it's just in the model name it will make no difference, not sure about it being actually classed as one. But if you leave its taxation class as ambulance and you aren't actually using it exclusively for transporting sick or disabled people then you are committing tax evasion and/or fraud. The C&U regs and the lighting regs both use the phrase "No vehicle shall be fitted with" when describing blue lights and sirens. But the regs are a little self contradictory, some relevant regs say the vehicle may have them if it was built or modified as an ambulance, other regs say it must be in use for ambulance purposes. As above it will probably be fine as long as they aren't used. When we have fake Police cars and so on at work they have covers fitted to their blue lights when being driven to and from set and when not in use, and have all the Police badging covered.

#4 Carlos W

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Posted 02 August 2014 - 05:36 AM

Blue lights should be fine
Little brother had a fire engine limo & they actually used them on the road with sirens


They'd be prosecuted if they were seen due to a risk to other road users. If another road user had a collision when getting out of its way thinking it was a real emergency vehicle there would be big problems.

A POLAC (police accident) actually applies to any emergency vehicle involved in a collision whilst on blue lights and has a set investigation process which is bigger if injury occurs.

Back to the OP, you need to speak to DVLA and probably re-register it for tax reasons

#5 BMH

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Posted 02 August 2014 - 09:39 AM

A mate of mine had a senator done as a police car and it was used in A Touch Of Frost, he had to have the light covered with a light bag with something like "out of service" or words to that effect.

Bryan

#6 robminibcy

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Posted 02 August 2014 - 09:59 AM

on the make and model it says Vauxhall and then midi ambulance. The tax price then say nil. Cheers for the advice. On the tax evasion front though, how would they tell? Would it be flagged up on anpr or would they actually have to stop it and have a chat to find out its not being used as an ambulance?



#7 MrBounce

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Posted 03 August 2014 - 07:15 AM

I think the fact it was made in 1991 would be a big clue. No ambulance service is likely to have a vehicle that old in regular service.

#8 AVV IT

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Posted 03 August 2014 - 08:11 AM

I think the fact it was made in 1991 would be a big clue. No ambulance service is likely to have a vehicle that old in regular service.


Whilst no NHS ambulance service is likely to, the industry is now awash with private ambulance providers, that often just involve a self employed bloke with an old ambulance, a uniform and a glorified first aid certificate, who provide first aid cover at public events in return for a substantail fee. Most NHS ambulance services actually dispose of their fleet to such private providers, so I doubt anyone would bat an eyelid at a 20+ year old marked up ambulance these days.

As for keeping the blue lights and ambulance markings, something else you might want to consider are the practicalities of driving around in a marked up ambulance. Sadly there is a common misconception amongst the general public that everyone who drives an ambulance is a Paramedic. Should you come across an accident, or incident whilst driving this ex ambulance, you'll probably get approached/flagged down to help. In the heat of the moment a distressed/panicking member of the public isn't likely to notice that you're just some guy driving a converted old ambulance, and when they discover that you aren't actually a medical professional, they may well turn nasty. I've known this happen to a few non medical staff over the years (mechanics, admin staff, cleaners etc.) who happen to be moving an off duty ambulance from A to B and they've found it to be quite an unpleasant experience, I've even known some who now refuse to do it as a result. In the case of using it as a Campervan, also be prepared for a constant flow of people knocking on your door at every campsite you stay on, because little johnny has hurt himself, their wife has gone into premature labour, or their Grandad is having an angina attack and they want you to come and help!

#9 JacckKirk

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Posted 03 August 2014 - 09:41 AM

Id personally change the outside just change the world ambulance to something else and keep the rest .. Especially on the sides




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