Towing - Category BE
Discussion
Quote from government website below:
I was hoping someone could explain to me the difference between what is permitted for the before and after dates.
I've interpreted it as anyone who has passed their test before the date can drive a vehicle up to 3.5t towing any size trailer, while anyone who has passed their test after the date can drive a vehicle up to 3.5t towing a trailer up to 3.5t. I've probably got the wrong end of the stick, but surely no vehicle up to 3.5t can legally tow above 3.5t anyway.
I passed my test before the date but I'm just curious more than anything.
I was hoping someone could explain to me the difference between what is permitted for the before and after dates.
I've interpreted it as anyone who has passed their test before the date can drive a vehicle up to 3.5t towing any size trailer, while anyone who has passed their test after the date can drive a vehicle up to 3.5t towing a trailer up to 3.5t. I've probably got the wrong end of the stick, but surely no vehicle up to 3.5t can legally tow above 3.5t anyway.
I passed my test before the date but I'm just curious more than anything.
Maximum authorised mass ( MAM ) means the weight of a vehicle or trailer including the maximum load that can be carried safely when it's being used on the road. ... The plate or sticker may also show a gross train weight ( GTW ), also sometimes called gross combination weight ( GCW ).
I think I agree with you but .gov often loses all accuracy in its attempt to dumb down the information.
The classic here being not defining MAM, which I thought was a mother in the northeast.
I think I agree with you but .gov often loses all accuracy in its attempt to dumb down the information.
The classic here being not defining MAM, which I thought was a mother in the northeast.
nutsyH said:
The law is changing on the B + E rules. Not sure of the actual effective date, but for B licence holders, the requirement to pass a towing test to acquire B + E is being scrapped.
I heard about this on the radio which is what made me look up the new rules. They appear to differ dependent on whether or not you passed before 2013, but the wording on the government website left me dumbfounded as to what the differences actually are.MrGTI6 said:
I heard about this on the radio which is what made me look up the new rules. They appear to differ dependent on whether or not you passed before 2013, but the wording on the government website left me dumbfounded as to what the differences actually are.
MAM limit of 3500Rule for B licence where trailer MAM could not be more than vehicle unladen weight was scrapped
R0G said:
48k said:
R0G said:
A trailer over 3500 mam needs for example air brakes
How many of those do you see on UK roads ? - Me none
Surely most 5th wheel type trailers fit in to this category at least?How many of those do you see on UK roads ? - Me none
R0G said:
How many of those have you seen?
There are quite a few mini artics mostly Iveco daily or Isuzu 3.5 ton chassis cabs , makes it Possible to have a longer trailer and or carry about 4 tons on a car license, plenty of American 5wheel caravans I think most are on electric brakes however,Edited by Ivan stewart on Wednesday 27th October 08:19
Ivan stewart said:
R0G said:
How many of those have you seen?
There are quite a few mini artics mostly Iveco daily or Isuzu 3.5 ton chassis cabs , makes it Possible to have a longer trailer and or carry about 4 tons on a car license, plenty of American 5wheel caravans I think most are on electric brakes however,Edited by Ivan stewart on Wednesday 27th October 08:19
IIRC the American system of electric brakes is illegal in Europe as it requires the driver to remove a hand from the steering wheel to operate the brakes manually.
I used to drive an OB unit for a radio station which was an Iveco Daily with a 5th wheel and air. It's a format used for event/exhibition/hospitality type rigs too. 5th wheel motorhomes/caravans and horse boxes are growing in popularity due to the payload and size whilst still being able to drive on a car licence (for the old duffers amongst us).
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