Trailer towing:- B and B+E licence rules explained
Discussion
Fair do’s. Although they will of course be motivated by the manufacturer and sale of trailers, so it won’t exactly be impartial advice will it. 
Thanks for all your helpful advice on this thread R0G
@PurpleSector. If such a knowledgeable chap as R0G can’t give a definitive answer, I would say you stick with your own downsized plate, as another poster said ‘if it looks right you’re probably ok’. I don’t see you getting into any heavy trouble here.
Keep your old plate. Refit it when you cave in and decide to do B+E.
Thanks for all your helpful advice on this thread R0G
@PurpleSector. If such a knowledgeable chap as R0G can’t give a definitive answer, I would say you stick with your own downsized plate, as another poster said ‘if it looks right you’re probably ok’. I don’t see you getting into any heavy trouble here.
Keep your old plate. Refit it when you cave in and decide to do B+E.
Edited by eltax91 on Saturday 20th February 08:21
Edited by eltax91 on Saturday 20th February 08:22
ROG or others in thread if you could give advise...
I'd like to sit B+E down the line to tow a caravan but not yet, currently looking at buying a trailer for other purposes anyway (house renovation)
Already have an X-Trail with towbar & socket, have towed small 3x5 unbraked trailer before a few times but need something a bit bigger for getting my garden cleared of hedges and trees
My thinking is if I bought a braked trailer now (and potentially have to get it replated?) that could then serve as a nice training exercise ready for B+E whilst towing within the rules of B license - passed in 2002 so fall into the "mid-level" of the rules
Something like this is what I would be looking at getting (but open to suggestion). I already appreciate for the test the trailer has to be laden but that can be approached easily enough with a secured IBC or sand and will alter insurance and have someone with B+E plus L Plates for day of test etc etc.
I'd like to sit B+E down the line to tow a caravan but not yet, currently looking at buying a trailer for other purposes anyway (house renovation)
Already have an X-Trail with towbar & socket, have towed small 3x5 unbraked trailer before a few times but need something a bit bigger for getting my garden cleared of hedges and trees
My thinking is if I bought a braked trailer now (and potentially have to get it replated?) that could then serve as a nice training exercise ready for B+E whilst towing within the rules of B license - passed in 2002 so fall into the "mid-level" of the rules
Something like this is what I would be looking at getting (but open to suggestion). I already appreciate for the test the trailer has to be laden but that can be approached easily enough with a secured IBC or sand and will alter insurance and have someone with B+E plus L Plates for day of test etc etc.
Great idea. 2 considerations to overcome from my experience of trying to ‘self do’ my test.
1. All the trailers at the test centre looked much more professional. No offence but I wonder if mr examiner looks upon you differently if you’ve a trailer with boarding fitted rather than a true box trailer. Solution: hire one for test?
2. The big one that made me just find a trainer. Logistics of getting to/ from the training or test. You need your rig all sorted, but you technically can’t drive said rig without your supervisor. So for me, that meant travel to collect the hired trailer, then collect IBC/ sand with the supervisor, then travel to collect him before training, drop him off afterwards, repeat for test day.
Assuming the trailers MaM is correct for the test, then you can’t tow it without your supervisor?! Because it’ll usually put you over the limit of B only. So how do you fetch your trailer??
This guy was R0G as it happens. He’s local to me, and offered to train me FOC if I could organise the trailer etc. Which was extremely kind.
In the end I found that it was just easier to pay someone with a full setup. Drive to them, do a days training, drive home and revise, go back the next morning, do an hour too up and do my test.
1. All the trailers at the test centre looked much more professional. No offence but I wonder if mr examiner looks upon you differently if you’ve a trailer with boarding fitted rather than a true box trailer. Solution: hire one for test?
2. The big one that made me just find a trainer. Logistics of getting to/ from the training or test. You need your rig all sorted, but you technically can’t drive said rig without your supervisor. So for me, that meant travel to collect the hired trailer, then collect IBC/ sand with the supervisor, then travel to collect him before training, drop him off afterwards, repeat for test day.
Assuming the trailers MaM is correct for the test, then you can’t tow it without your supervisor?! Because it’ll usually put you over the limit of B only. So how do you fetch your trailer??
This guy was R0G as it happens. He’s local to me, and offered to train me FOC if I could organise the trailer etc. Which was extremely kind.
In the end I found that it was just easier to pay someone with a full setup. Drive to them, do a days training, drive home and revise, go back the next morning, do an hour too up and do my test.
eltax91 said:
In the end I found that it was just easier to pay someone with a full setup. Drive to them, do a days training, drive home and revise, go back the next morning, do an hour too up and do my test.
Exactly what I did, over and done in an afternoon and a morning the day after. Was about £400.Id save yourself the faff and just get it done.
944 Man said:
eltax91 said:
This guy was R0G as it happens. He’s local to me, and offered to train me FOC if I could organise the trailer etc. Which was extremely kind.
That was bloody decent of him.I can get a traction unit and low loader next weekend Rog, are you free?
Oh and I feel it’s only right to point out, he was very clear, if I happened to need to Practice my reversing manoeuvre In the rain, there was no way he was getting out of the vehicle to get wet, we would simply have to wait until it stopped.
I think the Xtrail GVW is about 2100kg ????
If that is correct then a box type trailer plated at 1400 will be ok on a B licence
If the trailer weighs say 400 empty then it can be loaded with 1000kg so sand bags or IBC can be used for the test weight
That set up can be used for the B+E test
L plates and side mirrors for the examiner needed
You could drive without L plates or a supervising driver to the test centre then put on L plates and do the test
After the test - pass or fail - L plates can be removed and you drive out
If that is correct then a box type trailer plated at 1400 will be ok on a B licence
If the trailer weighs say 400 empty then it can be loaded with 1000kg so sand bags or IBC can be used for the test weight
That set up can be used for the B+E test
L plates and side mirrors for the examiner needed
You could drive without L plates or a supervising driver to the test centre then put on L plates and do the test
After the test - pass or fail - L plates can be removed and you drive out
Thanks for input all
XTrail GVW is 2050 so the math for B category does work provided the trailer weight is correct, will start keeping an eye out for a trailer now
Even if I don't end up using it for the test I still need to get something to do the garden work anyway
I too am in the Midlands ROG, how do we book into your services
XTrail GVW is 2050 so the math for B category does work provided the trailer weight is correct, will start keeping an eye out for a trailer now
Even if I don't end up using it for the test I still need to get something to do the garden work anyway
I too am in the Midlands ROG, how do we book into your services
When learning with trailers, the bigger they are the easier it is. Those little trailers you see down the tip are the worst things in the world. Long = good.
I passed mine first time at 19 with a 1 hour lesson beforehand as the company wouldn’t let me use their car/trailer combo otherwise. Prior to that I had only driven trailers on private land where there was a lot more open space to not hit stuff.
If anything the hardest part will be remembering how to drive like your car test if you haven’t sat one in years. Constant mirror checks etc is what will catch you out, there’s only 1 reverse you have to do during the entire test.
I passed mine first time at 19 with a 1 hour lesson beforehand as the company wouldn’t let me use their car/trailer combo otherwise. Prior to that I had only driven trailers on private land where there was a lot more open space to not hit stuff.
If anything the hardest part will be remembering how to drive like your car test if you haven’t sat one in years. Constant mirror checks etc is what will catch you out, there’s only 1 reverse you have to do during the entire test.
Captain Answer said:
Thanks for input all
XTrail GVW is 2050 so the math for B category does work provided the trailer weight is correct, will start keeping an eye out for a trailer now
Even if I don't end up using it for the test I still need to get something to do the garden work anyway
I too am in the Midlands ROG, how do we book into your services
I am in Leicester near to the walkers crisp factoryXTrail GVW is 2050 so the math for B category does work provided the trailer weight is correct, will start keeping an eye out for a trailer now
Even if I don't end up using it for the test I still need to get something to do the garden work anyway
I too am in the Midlands ROG, how do we book into your services
Captain Answer said:
I live near East Midlands Airport, always good to find local people on hereBUT - make sure it is on a dry day coz I hate getting wet !
PS - if you can put a dozen cones into the trailer then great
R0G said:
I was a LGV and B+E instructor before I retired so if you want to come to me for some B+E test reversing and DVSA on road training for FREE then please contact me
BUT - make sure it is on a dry day coz I hate getting wet !
PS - if you can put a dozen cones into the trailer then great
That's very kind, I will bear that in mind thank youBUT - make sure it is on a dry day coz I hate getting wet !
PS - if you can put a dozen cones into the trailer then great
Captain Answer said:
R0G said:
I was a LGV and B+E instructor before I retired so if you want to come to me for some B+E test reversing and DVSA on road training for FREE then please contact me
BUT - make sure it is on a dry day coz I hate getting wet !
PS - if you can put a dozen cones into the trailer then great
That's very kind, I will bear that in mind thank youBUT - make sure it is on a dry day coz I hate getting wet !
PS - if you can put a dozen cones into the trailer then great
Very kind offer of you R0G. @Captain, if you can’t make it work and want a contact for a very good trainer who has all the kit, then PM me, there’s one in Thurmaston that I would very much recommend
eltax91 said:
See, told you he didn’t like the rain.
Very kind offer of you R0G. @Captain, if you can’t make it work and want a contact for a very good trainer who has all the kit, then PM me, there’s one in Thurmaston that I would very much recommend
Is that these guys by chance? https://www.leicesterdriver.co.uk/Very kind offer of you R0G. @Captain, if you can’t make it work and want a contact for a very good trainer who has all the kit, then PM me, there’s one in Thurmaston that I would very much recommend
They caught my eye when I looked into courses before
Captain Answer said:
Is that these guys by chance? https://www.leicesterdriver.co.uk/
They caught my eye when I looked into courses before
Yes. Carl who runs it is excellent. Really relaxed, great trainer and not massively expensive.They caught my eye when I looked into courses before
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