7.5 t licence extension and horsebox plating help

[spring]

i'm planning on getting a lorry at some point soonish, I was going to get a 3.5t as I took my test after 1997 so can only drive up to this weight. It would be a squeeze though as my warmblood mare and highland gelding would only just fit in the acceptable weight limit for these vehicles.
After talking to a friend, I'm now thinking about doing the extension test to drive up to 7.5t. Has anyone done this test? is it hard? What is the price likely to be?
I was also thinking about plating requirements. Looking on various websites it seems that some are plated and some aren't and I can't remember if its on size or weight that deems whether boxes have to be plated or not.

[marianne]

I'm not able to answer your question I'm afraid but just wanted to point out that it's not just the weight of your two horses but the passengers and weight of tack and other equipment you need to take into consideration, so the 7.5 tonne definitely seems like the better solution.

[eskimo]

Can't help with the Test as i passed my test in 1995. But i can tell you that all 7.5t lorry's have to have a plating. I'm just about to take my lorry in for its annual plating.

[Hannah]

I did my HGV test nearly 2 years ago. I decided to do that because it's exactly the same as doing the 7.5t test, you can just drive bigger lorries ;D

I didn't find it hard, but I did do the recommended 3 days of driving instruction and the test on the 4th day. It is longer than the car test, it is also a professional driving test/qualification, and it can't be done in every town. I had to do mine in an unfamiliar place, so the lessons were all done there too, hopefully covering the trickier parts of the test routes I actually drove most of my test route in the morning lesson before my test

Price-expensive! Including VAT just over a grand Includes lessons and cost of test but not the theory, which is about £40 I think.

Plating etc, sorry can't help as dad sorts out that sort of thing

Edited cos I can't spell

[kayron]

everying over 3.5 tonnes needs to have a plat (once only) but need an HGV MOT (which some people term "plating" every year. At a HGV testing station, not a normal car MOT place.

[morwenstowstud]

Even 3.5 tonnes have to be mot'd at a VOSA testing station now.They aren't normal car MOT's anymore.

[spring]

Thanks for all your replies ;D Definately going to take the plunge to extend my licence to get a bigger box! Just got to save up now.