Trailer towing:- B and B+E licence rules explained

[T16OLE]

HustleRussell said:

circa 1997? you're going to need to know whether it was before 1997 or during / after.

.

Sorry, that was a typo, it would have been in the 70`s.

Thanks

[R0G]

T16OLE said:

Morning, looking for some advice.

We have a twin axle box trailer, unladen weight, 1030kg.

The vehicle is circa 2000kg.

I passed my test in 2005, can I tow unladen on the motorway with my father, whom passed circa 1997?

Thanks in advance.

YES


SUPERVISING A B+E LEARNER
In April 2010 new rules were introduced for those supervising certain learner drivers but they only affected those supervising VOCATIONAL categories such as C1 C1+E D1 & D1+E where the supervising driver had those categories given to them for free when they passed a pre 1997 car test.
They do not affect those with a pre 1997 B+E licence who wish to supervise a B+E learner.

All B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence and can tow an empty or loaded trailer on all roads including motorways.

The usual rules apply when a learner is driving -
The supervising driver must be aged over 21
The supervising driver must have held a B+E licence for at least 3 years
L plates must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and the rear of the trailer
Correct insurance for a B+E learner
The supervising driver does not need to be insured unless they are driving

[T16OLE]

R0G said:

YES


SUPERVISING A B+E LEARNER
In April 2010 new rules were introduced for those supervising certain learner drivers but they only affected those supervising VOCATIONAL categories such as C1 C1+E D1 & D1+E where the supervising driver had those categories given to them for free when they passed a pre 1997 car test.
They do not affect those with a pre 1997 B+E licence who wish to supervise a B+E learner.

All B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence and can tow an empty or loaded trailer on all roads including motorways.

The usual rules apply when a learner is driving -
The supervising driver must be aged over 21
The supervising driver must have held a B+E licence for at least 3 years
L plates must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and the rear of the trailer
Correct insurance for a B+E learner
The supervising driver does not need to be insured unless they are driving

Perfect, what about if the trailer is loaded say by 600kg bringing the overall weight above 3500kg?

[R0G]

T16OLE said:

Perfect, what about if the trailer is loaded say by 600kg bringing the overall weight above 3500kg?

Are you referring to B licence towing or to supervised B+E learner licence towing ?

[T16OLE]

R0G said:

Are you referring to B licence towing or to supervised B+E learner licence towing ?

As in myself, passed in 05 supervised by my father.

Thanks

[R0G]

T16OLE said:

As in myself, passed in 05 supervised by my father.

Thanks

If being supervised under B+E rules then B+E rules apply so as long as the MAM of the trailer or the towing capacity of the vehicle is not exceeded then all is ok

Towing by yourself would be under B licence rules where the max 3500 comes into play which means that the plated GVW of the vehicle added to the plated MAM of the trailer cannot total more than 3500 kg

Licences go on the plated weights not the actual weights

[Ken Figenus]

Sorry chaps me again - the online info seems a bit out on the 535d E61 stating 2000kgs max towing. The second number on the actual plate for the car says 4380 and the car iself weights 1790. This seemingly allows 2590 kg towing weight but this must of course include everything - load, trailer, fuel and passengers luggage etc. Am I right here?

[R0G]

Ken Figenus said:

Sorry chaps me again - the online info seems a bit out on the 535d E61 stating 2000kgs max towing. The second number on the actual plate for the car says 4380 and the car iself weights 1790. This seemingly allows 2590 kg towing weight but this must of course include everything - load, trailer, fuel and passengers luggage etc. Am I right here?

First number on the plate is needed then deduct that from the second number which in most cases is the max DESIGN tow weight

The second number (GTW) would be complied with under your scenario BUT the DESIGN weight would not be

There are two sets of regs
Weight laws under the RTA
Max design weights under C&U regs

[Ken Figenus]

Thanks R0G - your help is much appreciated as having a look here for C&U regs is baffling;http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regulation/78/made



I know I'm likely on a loser but is there any way this Beemer can tow 2850kg plus its own weight (inc fuel and occupants)? Or does the [not displayed] construction and use regs define it as max 2000kg towing weight (inc trailer and car on trailer), end of.

[R0G]

Ken Figenus said:

Thanks R0G - your help is much appreciated as having a look here for C&U regs is baffling;http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regulation/78/made



I know I'm likely on a loser but is there any way this Beemer can tow 2850kg plus its own weight (inc fuel and occupants)? Or does the [not displayed] construction and use regs define it as max 2000kg towing weight (inc trailer and car on trailer), end of.

4380 - 2320 = 2060 max towing capacity UNLESS the handbook or V5 states more

[Ken Figenus]

Thanks a lot R0G - that's that then. Its been emotional

[tharriso]

I have bought a braked single axle trailer with a MAM of 1300kg.

I don't have B+E. I passed my test in 2009.

I now need to buy a tow car.

My understanding:
I need something with a MAM/gross weight up to 2200kg.
But with braked towing capacity over 1300kg.

Have I got that right?

[R0G]

tharriso said:

I have bought a braked single axle trailer with a MAM of 1300kg.

I don't have B+E. I passed my test in 2009.

I now need to buy a tow car.

My understanding:
I need something with a MAM/gross weight up to 2200kg.
But with braked towing capacity over 1300kg.

Have I got that right?

YES but you can get a vehicle with a lower towing capacity of say 1200 but that will reduce the max trailer load by 100

[tharriso]

R0G said:

YES but you can get a vehicle with a lower towing capacity of say 1200 but that will reduce the max trailer load by 100

Thank you very much.

[mad4amanda]

very Helpful thread quick question regarding driving with a trailer are speed limits in the uk still 60 MPH on motorways and DC, 50MPH on other roads with NSL? and others as signposted? What about outer lanes on 2 or 3 or more lane motorways and DC are DC different?
We have just got a small camping trailer tried searching the download of the highway code but I could not find anything on trailers.

[R0G]

mad4amanda said:

very Helpful thread quick question regarding driving with a trailer are speed limits in the uk still 60 MPH on motorways and DC, 50MPH on other roads with NSL? and others as signposted? What about outer lanes on 2 or 3 or more lane motorways and DC are DC different?
We have just got a small camping trailer tried searching the download of the highway code but I could not find anything on trailers.

You got the speed limits right

You cannot use the outer lane where the motorway is 3 lanes or more - no such restriction on DC

[leyorkie]

Here's hoping ROG is still around.
I'm struggling to get my head around this.
I have the correct licence to go over 3500kg but the car is not capable, however my quandary is Is it the plated capacity that dictates the load.
It's a Skoda Octavia with kerb weight 1400 kg and Horsebox of max 2340 kg but actual weight of 905kg, I'm wanting to move the empty trailer, no way would I stick 2 horses in it.
Empty it's acceptable but on plated capacity it's over the cars capacity.
Clarification needed from those that know and understand these regs.

Thanks

[Zoobeef]

If you have b+e then use actual weights. Aslong as what your towing isn't over the towing capacity of the tow car

[R0G]

leyorkie said:

Here's hoping ROG is still around.
I'm struggling to get my head around this.
I have the correct licence to go over 3500kg but the car is not capable, however my quandary is Is it the plated capacity that dictates the load.
It's a Skoda Octavia with kerb weight 1400 kg and Horsebox of max 2340 kg but actual weight of 905kg, I'm wanting to move the empty trailer, no way would I stick 2 horses in it.
Empty it's acceptable but on plated capacity it's over the cars capacity.
Clarification needed from those that know and understand these regs.

Thanks

There is mo law or rule which states that the plated weight of a trailer must be within the max towing capacity of the vehicle - plenty of internet myths saying other though !

This is a legal example with a B+E licence

Vehicle
GVW 2000
Towing capacity 1800

Trailer
MAM 2500
Empty 1000

Max load for trailer = 800

[leyorkie]

Thanks.
It seemed to me that you were guilty before the event.
85% of the towing capacity is 1200kg so 905kg is well within the limits.