As Promised.
Right, Restricted O license is nice and simple. Fill out your application, put advert in paper and pay money... then wait.
Servicing -
Go for 8 weeks or 10 weeks service interval, FYI on the application you don't list the age of the lorry your looking to buy or the actual use of the truck. The Inspection/R&M contract can be done in house, mine is done by myself on a 8 weekly regime, although frequencies have gone to every three weeks in the past when busy..... Nothing stopping you listing yourself as the responsible person and employing a mechanic to check, the only thing you MUST remember is in the event of a accident it's whoever is listed that goes to court accused of manslaughter when something goes wrong (I.e the Bath Tipper).
Facilities wise there are lots of things you "SHOULD" have.... but ultimately the key action is whether you are being picked up on R&M on roadside checks or Plating (MOT) If you consistently have issues you will get questions asked...... Realities wise though your expected to have a space suitable to thoroughly inspect your truck.... Your Pal from Volvo sounds ideal and ultimately he will know what he needs and what he's happy with.
Actual day to day use......
Restricted allows you to transport your own goods or items under your possession. So you can Hire someone else's digger, transport it to a job and hire it out self drive to someone else, You can also purchase 3t of gravel, deliver it and get paid by the recipient. This is Not classed as Haulage as your profit is made from acting as a merchant.
What you cannot do is function as a Haulier, so you cannot get a customer to pre purchase material from a quarry, you collect and use it on there job and only charge haulage...... It's as finer line as that.
CPC wise, IF driving is your job role at that time you NEED it....... I do NOT have a CPC and we walk the line... but put simply -
1) I drive my lorry from the yard to a job with a digger, use the digger and return home empty - NO CPC REQUIRED
2) I drive my lorry from the yard to a job with a digger, drop the digger off for someone else to drive and go to pick up gravel - CPC REQUIRED
The grey area and the line I walk is what timeline is utilized in this "Not the main role" definition... If you take a 8 hour day only I could be seen as a Driver only as I could spend 8 hours moving three machines to a job. My personal opinion is the sprit of the law says it's rolling time.... I.e. provided that equipment is not utilised by another person surely the reason for moving it to site is the job... not the transport..... But that's a test case for me to have one day.
Tachographs are a Interesting one on the 7.5t lorry. But IMHO my advice is just follow and roll with it if you can.
Regarding the Interim license.... We had one, well worth it if you have good reason (e.g Bereavement, emergency job, or similar) but the majority of the time it's just impatient people and thus they get there money taken and the license denied.
Regards to the "New O License Seminar"...... The invite is one of the funniest threats I've ever read... (You are not forced to attend, but there will be tea and biscuits and if you don't we will come to see you). My opinion of it is Fantastic and the HGV inspector they sent was outstanding and was incredibly down to earth and helpful! Ask questions and make sure you pilfer all the knowledge they have!
Lorrys are a PITA, but they are fkn handy!
). First choice would of been a DAF LF45 but hard to come buy so this will do to get started, don’t think I’ve give massive money for it, £5750, full years test on it.
..... especially an IVECO Thomas 
