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

[jackthelad1984]

Hi there, just bought our first caravan, will be towing it with my saab 9-5 aero. Quick Google states the caravan weighs in at around 850kg with a gross weight of 1050k. Now I only have a B license but my other half is older and has B+E entitlement much to ky annoyance! As it's me that will be doing the towing I assume these weights are legal for me to tow with the saab?, rather than have to endure my dearest having to tow the fiberglass palace!

[littlebasher]

jackthelad1984 said:

Hi there, just bought our first caravan, will be towing it with my saab 9-5 aero. Quick Google states the caravan weighs in at around 850kg with a gross weight of 1050k. Now I only have a B license but my other half is older and has B+E entitlement much to ky annoyance! As it's me that will be doing the towing I assume these weights are legal for me to tow with the saab?, rather than have to endure my dearest having to tow the fiberglass palace!

Depends on the weights on the Saab, but TBH i doubt a 1050kg caravan is going to put you over the threshold - the max towing weight got to be 1600kg i guess, so a similar GVW - puts it well under.

[R0G]

SAAB is likely to be 2200 GVW max so with a caravan at 1050 MTPLM then the total is under the 3500 max for B towing

[R0G]

If it did come under B+E then you can still tow it with Mrs next to you .....

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

[jackthelad1984]

Ah that's handy to know thanks.

[claricelin]

lgw said:

I agree very informative and easy to understand, just a query I am sure there are trailer maximum lengths and widths requirements though I cannot remember what they are.

[stablemate]

Pretty sure my OH would be okay to tow our new Caravan but thought I would ask the question anyway if only for my own peace of mind!

LICENCE
B or B+E = B

VEHICLE
GVW =1670
Towing capacity = 1150

TRAILER
Un-laden/empty = 650
MAM = 850

[R0G]

stablemate said:

Pretty sure my OH would be okay to tow our new Caravan but thought I would ask the question anyway if only for my own peace of mind!

LICENCE
B or B+E = B

VEHICLE
GVW =1670
Towing capacity = 1150

TRAILER
Un-laden/empty = 650
MAM = 850

Legal

1670+850=2520 so well under the 3500 max allowed for B towing

[Super Slo Mo]

R0G said:

stablemate said:

Pretty sure my OH would be okay to tow our new Caravan but thought I would ask the question anyway if only for my own peace of mind!

LICENCE
B or B+E = B

VEHICLE
GVW =1670
Towing capacity = 1150

TRAILER
Un-laden/empty = 650
MAM = 850

Legal

1670+850=2520 so well under the 3500 max allowed for B towing

Pretty small caravan though? Or are they super light these days?

[R0G]

Super Slo Mo said:

retty small caravan though? Or are they super light these days?

There are a few 750 kg MTPLM caravans on the market which can often be seen being towed by 3.5 tonnes transits especially by those with B licences who work away all week and have their work stuff in the transit

[Slow]

Did 3 hours of trailer training today. Bloke said I was fine, just to remember to check mirrors really, pretty much same as car test but with a trailer on the back. During the test you do 1 reverse in the car park and 1 couple/uncouple. Test booked for next Saturday so fingers crossed!

[Slow]

Slow said:

Sorry to dig this up again.

Im 18, mum has had licence donkeys years as in long before 97.


If i buy a 300tdi disco insure it in my name, stick a double axle ifor williams trailer on.
Then just put L plates on and have my mum with me im fine to tow?

A normal comparison website insurance policy would cover towing right? Or do you need to ask for it?

Slow said:

Did 3 hours of trailer training today. Bloke said I was fine, just to remember to check mirrors really, pretty much same as car test but with a trailer on the back. During the test you do 1 reverse in the car park and 1 couple/uncouple. Test booked for next Saturday so fingers crossed!

Finally passed my test today first time with just 4 minors

[R0G]

Slow said:

Finally passed my test today first time with just 4 minors

[Slow]

Thank you

Anyone here able to help with this?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Psycho Warren]

Has there been any recent changes?

Gov website is showing this:

Licences held from 1 January 1997

If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can:

drive a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM
tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined weight of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg


Updated 9th june 2015.

Are they speaking rubbish again as they are implying you can tow a combination weighing upto 3.5 tons??

[mph1977]

Psycho Warren said:

Has there been any recent changes?

Gov website is showing this:

Licences held from 1 January 1997

If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can:

drive a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM
tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined weight of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg


Updated 9th june 2015.

Are they speaking rubbish again as they are implying you can tow a combination weighing upto 3.5 tons??

no it;s not changed the 3500 MTM derogation has existed since the rules were first brought into effect.

[R0G]

Psycho Warren said:

Has there been any recent changes?

Gov website is showing this:

Licences held from 1 January 1997

If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can:

drive a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM
tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined weight of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg


Updated 9th june 2015.

Are they speaking rubbish again as they are implying you can tow a combination weighing upto 3.5 tons??

Not rubbish but they missed out a very important bit = MAM

tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM weight of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg

The original looks like it refers to actual weight bit the law refers to the total of the plated weights (MAM)

[Psycho Warren]

That might seem like a minor omission in text terms but its a massive omission in real world terms! I can imagine a lot of people getting caught out by that as why wouldnt the average joe trust the government site? especially when you are directed there by other government sites.

[Slow]

R0G said:

Slow said:

Finally passed my test today first time with just 4 minors

First real towing tomorrow, driving to Norfolk to collect a defender. Using a old plant trailer, should be interesting.

[Zoobeef]

Just a quick question. Trying to find another trailer after mine was stolen. Helpfully no-one selling a trailer states how long, wide or how much they can carry.

Just asked one guy and he says the plate says
Top 850
Middle 1200
Bottom 850

It's a brian james tiltbed, can anyone relate that to its capacity?

Cheers.