B + E Trailer test, anyone done it?
Discussion
What are you going to need to tow? You can tow lightweight trailers on a standard licence, it's only when the combined MAM gets over 3500kg that you need the extra category on your licence:
"Category B vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM) or a trailer over 750kgs MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM."
Of course if you do need the greater entitlement, since you can tow a small trailer on a standard licence, you can just teach yourself to tow before doing the test - it's actually easier to tow larger trailers (longer distance from pivot to axle) because they react more slowly so it's harder to jack-knife them when reversing.
"Category B vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM) or a trailer over 750kgs MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM."
Of course if you do need the greater entitlement, since you can tow a small trailer on a standard licence, you can just teach yourself to tow before doing the test - it's actually easier to tow larger trailers (longer distance from pivot to axle) because they react more slowly so it's harder to jack-knife them when reversing.
McSam said:
Means I'll be fine towing most cars on a trailer, though, which I'm pleased about 
Bear in mind that it's MAM (maximum allowable mass) not the actual weight that matters so towing a car will probably put you over the limit. For example the MAM of a range rover is already 3500kg, so you couldn't tow anything with one of them. Even something like a 5-series probably has a 3000kg MAM so you could only tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 500kg, which is tiny. I just about managed to sneak in under the margin towing an MG Midget racing car (around 600kg) behind an E36 3-series, but we had to buy a rather crappy trailer to make it legal. With a better trailer, the MAM would have been higher even if the overall weight was not, so I wouldn't have been allowed to tow.
Edited by kambites on Monday 6th June 11:05
Ah, I missed the part saying it was the MAM of the trailer as well as the vehicle, rather than the MAM of the vehicle plus the actual mass of the trailer. I should expect the Audi's MAM to be helpfully low, but any decent car trailer would probably be enough to put it over 3.5T total.
So have you looked into B+E at all?
So have you looked into B+E at all?
Yes, I looked into it but this was six years ago or something so I'm a bit hazy about what I found out.
I don't think it looked too hard to get, but then I was coming from the position of already having a fair amount of experience with towing, so for me it would just have been a matter of doing the test.
I don't think it looked too hard to get, but then I was coming from the position of already having a fair amount of experience with towing, so for me it would just have been a matter of doing the test.
doogz said:
I sat my B+E about 2 years ago.
Spent 6 hours on a Saturday, and 7.5 hours on a Sunday, driving about in a Ford Galaxy towing a big trailer, then sat my test on the Monday morning and passed with 2 minors. I can't quite remember, but i don't think you're allowed as many minors as a car (B) test.
Cost me about £300 all in.
If you're planning on doing it, try and get yourself back into the habit of feeding the wheel, if you don't. Other than that, the reverse manouvre is trickier than any other test, and the unhitch-hitch is pretty easy, just try not to thump the back of the car.
Interesting Spent 6 hours on a Saturday, and 7.5 hours on a Sunday, driving about in a Ford Galaxy towing a big trailer, then sat my test on the Monday morning and passed with 2 minors. I can't quite remember, but i don't think you're allowed as many minors as a car (B) test.
Cost me about £300 all in.
If you're planning on doing it, try and get yourself back into the habit of feeding the wheel, if you don't. Other than that, the reverse manouvre is trickier than any other test, and the unhitch-hitch is pretty easy, just try not to thump the back of the car.
Yes, i will be exceeding the 3500kg MAM limit, as i dont think my family/ those close who have trailers have anything smaller than a 3000kg trailer, so unless i can find a 500kg car...
Anyway, say i did the test, what would i be restricted to? is it any car + any trailer not exceeding 3500kg MAM? Is there a length limit?
Also is it true that if you complete your "C1" licence you get B + E (note, not C + E)?
You struck lucky - I am good on B and B+E towing issues
Maximum Trailer Dimensions
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar): 7.0m
Width Maximum: 2.55m (was 2.3m up to 2010)
It must not be more than 30.5 centimetres wider than each side of the towing vehicle
B+E test is the same as the B test regarding driving faults
there will be the reverse and the un/couple test at the paractical test centre
there is no theory to be done for B+E - just the practical test
what else would anyone like to know ?
Maximum Trailer Dimensions
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar): 7.0m
Width Maximum: 2.55m (was 2.3m up to 2010)
It must not be more than 30.5 centimetres wider than each side of the towing vehicle
B+E test is the same as the B test regarding driving faults
there will be the reverse and the un/couple test at the paractical test centre
there is no theory to be done for B+E - just the practical test
what else would anyone like to know ?
This is interesting because I have been towing car trailers for a while now with a 4x4. On the way to brands hatch once I got pulled by the police to say one of my tyres looked a bit flat he gave the car and licence the usual check and told me to proceed the last 5 miles carefully. I am only 23 so in theory I have to take this trailer test to be legal. But do I have to take it as I have my class 2 lorry licence which allows me to drive rigid lorrys up to 18T maybe more.
adsvx220 said:
This is interesting because I have been towing car trailers for a while now with a 4x4. On the way to brands hatch once I got pulled by the police to say one of my tyres looked a bit flat he gave the car and licence the usual check and told me to proceed the last 5 miles carefully. I am only 23 so in theory I have to take this trailer test to be legal. But do I have to take it as I have my class 2 lorry licence which allows me to drive rigid lorrys up to 18T maybe more.
Not with your Class 2, take your Class 1 and you'll get the B+E.I did my B+E test couple of years back, it was £450, that included the test fee and 2 days of training, although that was split with another guy and we both took turns at driving.
Our training company got use of the DSA test centre to practice the reversing into the bay, so that definitely helped as it was familiar come the test.
Been thinking about doing this for awhile got quoted 39+Vat an hour or 29+Vat for using my own van for lessons which i thought was a bit steep.
But even if I passed would i only be able to tow a combined weight of 3500??
By the time you get a decent tow vehicle i could only tow a wheelbarrow.
But even if I passed would i only be able to tow a combined weight of 3500??
By the time you get a decent tow vehicle i could only tow a wheelbarrow.
Sorry to hijack a little bit, but what about D1 licences? Anyone done that, and how much was it?
The reason i ask is at work, we have these;
And they have 9 or 10 seats in (cant remember exactly). All the oldies are retiring, leaving us with the predicement that drivers for these vehicles are becoming a bit like gold dust.
The reason i ask is at work, we have these;
And they have 9 or 10 seats in (cant remember exactly). All the oldies are retiring, leaving us with the predicement that drivers for these vehicles are becoming a bit like gold dust.
I just had a look at the DVLA booklet explaining what B, B+E etc. mean and it says this:
B
Cars
Motor vehicle with a MAM of up to 3,500kg, no more than eight passenger seats with or without a trailer – weighing no more than 750kg.
As category B but with a trailer weighing more than 750kg. The total weight of the vehicle and trailer together can’t weigh more than 3,500kg. The weight of the trailer, when fully loaded, can’t weigh more than the unladen weight of the vehicle.
B+E
Cars with trailers
As category B but with a heavier trailer that isn’t covered in the descriptions for category B.
Link to booklet:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_...
If my license just says "B" on it (and I got it in 2006) does that mean I can only tow a trailer up to 750kg or can I pull a pull a 1000kg trailer with a 2000kg car?
The two paragraphs seem to contradict each other.
B
Cars
Motor vehicle with a MAM of up to 3,500kg, no more than eight passenger seats with or without a trailer – weighing no more than 750kg.
As category B but with a trailer weighing more than 750kg. The total weight of the vehicle and trailer together can’t weigh more than 3,500kg. The weight of the trailer, when fully loaded, can’t weigh more than the unladen weight of the vehicle.
B+E
Cars with trailers
As category B but with a heavier trailer that isn’t covered in the descriptions for category B.
Link to booklet:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_...
If my license just says "B" on it (and I got it in 2006) does that mean I can only tow a trailer up to 750kg or can I pull a pull a 1000kg trailer with a 2000kg car?
The two paragraphs seem to contradict each other.
Yes, I am thick.
Acheron said:
Sorry to hijack a little bit, but what about D1 licences? Anyone done that, and how much was it?
The reason i ask is at work, we have these;
And they have 9 or 10 seats in (cant remember exactly). All the oldies are retiring, leaving us with the predicement that drivers for these vehicles are becoming a bit like gold dust.
You can drive those on a car license provided its not for hire or reward.. which seems a little unlikely The reason i ask is at work, we have these;
And they have 9 or 10 seats in (cant remember exactly). All the oldies are retiring, leaving us with the predicement that drivers for these vehicles are becoming a bit like gold dust.
I passed my B+E three weeks ago (im 21), my work payed for it but it was £325 all in as far as i know.
It involved a four hour lesson, then a further two hour lesson before my test a few weeks later, i passed with three minors.
The driving is the same as your standard driving test and even includes a 'show me/tell me' section unrelated to the trailer... There is also a reverse manoeuvre and a hitch un-hitch part.
Just watch out for the companys that claim you need 12 hours of lessons or something daft, i found a fair few that said that. The hardest bit for me was driving to dsa standards!
It involved a four hour lesson, then a further two hour lesson before my test a few weeks later, i passed with three minors.
The driving is the same as your standard driving test and even includes a 'show me/tell me' section unrelated to the trailer... There is also a reverse manoeuvre and a hitch un-hitch part.
Just watch out for the companys that claim you need 12 hours of lessons or something daft, i found a fair few that said that. The hardest bit for me was driving to dsa standards!
Baked_bean said:
I passed my B+E three weeks ago (im 21), my work payed for it but it was £325 all in as far as i know.
It involved a four hour lesson, then a further two hour lesson before my test a few weeks later, i passed with three minors.
The driving is the same as your standard driving test and even includes a 'show me/tell me' section unrelated to the trailer... There is also a reverse manoeuvre and a hitch un-hitch part.
Just watch out for the companys that claim you need 12 hours of lessons or something daft, i found a fair few that said that. The hardest bit for me was driving to dsa standards!
Did you have much reversing with a trailer practice before hand?It involved a four hour lesson, then a further two hour lesson before my test a few weeks later, i passed with three minors.
The driving is the same as your standard driving test and even includes a 'show me/tell me' section unrelated to the trailer... There is also a reverse manoeuvre and a hitch un-hitch part.
Just watch out for the companys that claim you need 12 hours of lessons or something daft, i found a fair few that said that. The hardest bit for me was driving to dsa standards!
EDLT said:
Yes, I am thick.
If you look closer, it splits those two paragraphs into slightly different sections. The rules for "small" trailers (under 750kg) and "large" trailers (over 750kg) are seperate. Basically, for small trailers, the mass of the vehicle doesn't matter, you can tow a small trailer behind any vehicle up to 3500kg MAM (the limit of the B licence anyway). However, for larger trailers over 750kg MAM, you're only allowed to go up to a maximum combined MAM of 3500kg between the trailer and the vehicle. Also, the trailer's MAM can't be more than the vehicle's unladen weight.
Egs:
I can have a 3500kg MAM Rangie, and tow anything under 750kg with it (for small trailers, the limit is effectively 4250kg total)
If I have something with a 3000kg MAM, I can't tow anything over 750kg because the combined weight is over 3500kg
If I have a car with a 2000kg MAM, I can tow up to 1500kg (so long as the car's unladen weight is at least that), because the total weight is under 3500kg.
Make sense?
McSam said:
Make sense?
Yes if i get B+E I wont be able to tow behind renault master (unless its empty ideal for towing). and I would only be able to tow a extra 350kg behind berlingo. Arse.
does that mean i would have to take my class C to tow 3.5 ton boat? (Yes and a different tow vehicle)
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