Transporting own goods on borrowed UK 18t HGV through France

[Devon]

I require quite a lot of materials to hard landscape parts of my garden in the Charente. It works out considerably cheaper for me to buy the materials in the UK but transport is a problem. I have access to a friend's 18 tonne flatbed lorry which is large enough to deliver all the materials from the UK in one go.

Would it be legal for me to use my friend's lorry to drive my materials across France? I have a class 1 and 2 HGV licence and I would get a letter of authorisation to use the lorry from the owner. Has anyone used a large HGV to deliver their own materials or furniture from the UK and if so, were there any problems crossing France? 

I have used a 7.5 tonne tipper (I used to own previously) to transport kit: this caused a lot of head scratching at French customs but I was allowed to carry on my journey but I have no idea if an 18 tonne lorry would attract a different set of laws for private use.

Thank's for any useful informed information in advance [:)] 

[Sunday Driver]

You'll need to check with your friend about the regulations concerning driver's hours/rest breaks and the recording thereof.  The non-commercial carriage of goods is exempt from the regulations but only where the vehicle's maximum permitted mass does not exceed 7.5 tonnes.

 

[NickP]

I have travelled to France and back to the UK many times with heavy goods vehicles, which were hired or borrowed. Nobody ever  checked or looked at them. But you never know, if you are not prepared that is the time you get stopped and checked. Just make sure you have the correct insurance and paperwork etc. and obviously a letter of authorisation would be an asset. Not sure about the rules on Tachographs, but if in doubt follow the correct procedure, after all as they say tiredness kills.