I can't tow a trailer on my licence; what test?
Discussion
It seems I cannot tow a trailer on my licence. I'm 31, and passed my test in January 1998. I recall it was January 1997 that it all changed significantly the categories of which you're allowed to drive.
Anyway, through the years I've towed many things, from boats to storage trailers (all fairly small in the grand scheme of things).
I've just realised, that was all probably very illegal. Yikes!
I, like many similarly aged PHers, can drive categories F, K, P, and have provisional for categories A, BE, GH.
What test (and where?) do I need to pass just so I can tow things legally. Not HGV or anything like that, just the occasional track car.
Thanks all
Tony
Anyway, through the years I've towed many things, from boats to storage trailers (all fairly small in the grand scheme of things).
I've just realised, that was all probably very illegal. Yikes!
I, like many similarly aged PHers, can drive categories F, K, P, and have provisional for categories A, BE, GH.
What test (and where?) do I need to pass just so I can tow things legally. Not HGV or anything like that, just the occasional track car.
Thanks all
Tony
I Only passed my test in 2007 as i am 22 and passed my B+E for my old job last year.
It is as described above but i did have to perform the couple/uncouple element of the test (it was May last year). I had 4 hours tuition which was sufficent, i really learnt to reverse a trailer though in the realworld (lots of awkward drivways etc!).
It is as described above but i did have to perform the couple/uncouple element of the test (it was May last year). I had 4 hours tuition which was sufficent, i really learnt to reverse a trailer though in the realworld (lots of awkward drivways etc!).
jeremyc said:
Pretty much everything you need to know is in this handy stickied thread. 
Well I never, that's jolly useful. Thanks very much!Thanks all - seems it's not too much of a hinderance to do then, so I certainly shall do it
The conversation came about because my dad is building a kit car and we need to trailer it to a garage to have the suspension and carbs set up.
The kit car will be ~750kg, the trailer just a normal basic Brian James car one - ~500kg.
As for the car - we don't have one at the meoment with a tow bar, so will be borrowing a car from someone - but for ease I wanted to be able to drive it so not to incovnience our friend too much. Perhaps a VW Touareg (2200kg), or an almighty great Dodge 5.7L pickup thing
Apologies for the uncertainty of the answer, but it was the initial conversation of how we're going to do it that prompted the checking - and sudden realisation that anything I've done in the past was probably illegal!
The kit car will be ~750kg, the trailer just a normal basic Brian James car one - ~500kg.
As for the car - we don't have one at the meoment with a tow bar, so will be borrowing a car from someone - but for ease I wanted to be able to drive it so not to incovnience our friend too much. Perhaps a VW Touareg (2200kg), or an almighty great Dodge 5.7L pickup thing
Apologies for the uncertainty of the answer, but it was the initial conversation of how we're going to do it that prompted the checking - and sudden realisation that anything I've done in the past was probably illegal!
TonyHetherington said:
The conversation came about because my dad is building a kit car and we need to trailer it to a garage to have the suspension and carbs set up.
The kit car will be ~750kg, the trailer just a normal basic Brian James car one - ~500kg.
As for the car - we don't have one at the meoment with a tow bar, so will be borrowing a car from someone - but for ease I wanted to be able to drive it so not to incovnience our friend too much. Perhaps a VW Touareg (2200kg), or an almighty great Dodge 5.7L pickup thing
Apologies for the uncertainty of the answer, but it was the initial conversation of how we're going to do it that prompted the checking - and sudden realisation that anything I've done in the past was probably illegal!
Hi Tony.The kit car will be ~750kg, the trailer just a normal basic Brian James car one - ~500kg.
As for the car - we don't have one at the meoment with a tow bar, so will be borrowing a car from someone - but for ease I wanted to be able to drive it so not to incovnience our friend too much. Perhaps a VW Touareg (2200kg), or an almighty great Dodge 5.7L pickup thing
Apologies for the uncertainty of the answer, but it was the initial conversation of how we're going to do it that prompted the checking - and sudden realisation that anything I've done in the past was probably illegal!
I'll use some guesswork for this answer ....
Firstly the trailer -
Lets say the trailer has a plated MAM of 1500 and unladen weight of 500
That would allow a load of 1000
To tow that on a B licence you would need a vehicle with these specifications/dimensions -
MAX GVW of 2000
MIN KERB of 1500
Towing capacity of at least 1500 so the trailer MAM can be utilised to its full potential
TonyHetherington said:
...my dad is building a kit car and we need to trailer it to a garage...
If DAD has a B+E -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
R0G said:
Hi Tony.
I'll use some guesswork for this answer ....
Firstly the trailer -
Lets say the trailer has a plated MAM of 1500 and unladen weight of 500
That would allow a load of 1000
To tow that on a B licence you would need a vehicle with these specifications/dimensions -
MAX GVW of 2000
MIN KERB of 1500
Towing capacity of at least 1500 so the trailer MAM can be utilised to its full potential
Im pretty sure 750kg is you maximum weight to tow without b+e im having the same problems.I'll use some guesswork for this answer ....
Firstly the trailer -
Lets say the trailer has a plated MAM of 1500 and unladen weight of 500
That would allow a load of 1000
To tow that on a B licence you would need a vehicle with these specifications/dimensions -
MAX GVW of 2000
MIN KERB of 1500
Towing capacity of at least 1500 so the trailer MAM can be utilised to its full potential
swifthobo said:
Im pretty sure 750kg is you maximum weight to tow without b+e im having the same problems.
IncorrectI'll post this for you to peruse
I hope you will find this useful - many other sites have.
GOOGLE (copy & paste) the title below to confirm this.
Trailer towing:- B and B+E licence rules explained
Trailer MAM means the maximum weight the trailer can be when fully loaded (weight of empty trailer plus weight of load)
Trailers over 3500 kgs plated MAM weight come under different rules which is why all the trailers towed by B class vehicles, those of 3.5 tonnes and under, are not plated at more than 3500 kgs or 3.5 tonnes MAM
Trailers without plates use the total of the TYRE LOAD RATINGS to determine the MAM.
A rating of 66 on 4 tyres would give a MAM of 1200 kgs.
Vehicles in the B licence category will have the following information on a plate in the vehicle, in the handbook or on the V5 form.
Information can also be found on many internet vehicle specification sites.
Unladen or Kerb weight - although there is a slight difference in the two it is not that much
GVW - the max weight the vehicle can weigh when fully loaded
GTW - the max weight the vehicle and trailer can ACTUALLY weigh when added together. This does not refer to the total of the vehicle GWV and trailer MAM weights.
Towing capacity - this is the ACTUAL weight that can be towed by the vehicle - it does not mean the trailer MAM weight.
None of the above weights must be exceeded
Some vehicles have a GVW, a towing capacity and a GTW. In such a case the GTW takes priority over the GVW and towing capacity when added together
FOR B+E LICENCES
Where a towing capacity is listed then this would be a legal example:-
CAR has GVW of 2000 and a towing capacity of 1800
TRAILER has a MAM of 3500 and an unladen weight of 1000
The trailer can be loaded with a maximum weight of 800
Where there is not a towing capacity listed then the GTW is used
GTW minus the GVW does not give the towing capacity unless the vehicle is fully laden
EXAMPLE: -
VAN has GVW of 3500 and GTW of 6000
TRAILER has MAM of 3500
The van and trailer can weigh 3000 each and be legal
FOR B LICENCES
The Gov sites are not that good at explaining this so perhaps my simpler way of explaining will help.....
To tow over 750 kgs with a B licence you need to comply with these rules:-
The plated MAM of the trailer must not be more than the UNLADEN/KERB weight of the towing vehicle
The GVW of the towing vehicle plus the plated MAM of the trailer must not add up to more than 3500 kgs
The ACTUAL weight of the empty trailer and its load must not be more than the listed towing capacity
Example of legally towing over 750 kgs with a B licence - made up figures but not that far from what can be found....
Towing vehicle -
Unladen/empty/kerb = 1500
GVW = 2000
Towing capacity = 1800
Trailer -
Unladen/empty = 800
MAM = 1500 (Perhaps originally a 2000 MAM but downplated by manufacturer so it conforms to B licence towing)
Load trailer with 700 max
Reasons it is legal for towing on a B licence -
The 1500 MAM of the trailer is not more than the 1500 unladen/empty weight of the towing vehicle
The 2000 GVW of the towing vehicle plus the 1500 MAM of the trailer is not more than 3500
The towing capacity/actual weight being towed does not exceed 1800
Here is another way of looking at the B licence towing rules with examples:-
RULE 1 - The gross plated weight of the trailer (MAM) cannot exceed the vehicle kerbweight.
RULE 2 - Also, the sum of the vehicle gross plated weight (GVW) and the trailer gross plated weight (MAM) cannot exceed 3500kg.
Examples:-
Vehicle 1200kg kerbweight, 1700kg gross plated weight (GVW) = maximum trailer gross plated weight (MAM) 1200kg SEE RULE 1
Vehicle 1500kg kerbweight, 2000kg gross plated weight (GVW) = maximum trailer gross plated weight (MAM) 1500kg SEE RULES 1 & 2
Vehicle 1800kg kerbweight, 2300kg gross plated weight (GVW) = maximum trailer gross plated weight (MAM) 1200kg SEE RULE 2
The weight which can be loaded on the trailer is the trailer gross plated weight (MAM) minus the trailer unladen weight
Trailer gross plated weight (MAM) 1500 with unladen weight 900 = a maximum load of 600
The listed maximum towing capacity for a vehicle must not be exceeded - that is actual weight not plated MAM weight
Although there is not a specific law which states this there are other laws which can be used if the combination (vehicle & trailer) is deemed unsafe.
Caravan weights work on a slightly different system as they take into account the recommended (not legal) 85% towing advice
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
Many will find that passing the once in a lifetime B+E test is their best option so here is some info on that test:-
[U]The B+E test[/U]
No medical or theory test required
Read a number plate from a certain distance
VIDEO - Show Me Tell Me Questions - usually 5
The next three can be in any order:-
VIDEO - Reversing Exercise (old measurements) - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
One hour road drive - includes the independent drive and is done virtually the same as the basic car test
DISCLAIMER - I have no connection to any companies which may be featured in those videos
I hope this helps those who are unsure of the rules
swifthobo said:
R0G said:
Hi Tony.
I'll use some guesswork for this answer ....
Firstly the trailer -
Lets say the trailer has a plated MAM of 1500 and unladen weight of 500
That would allow a load of 1000
To tow that on a B licence you would need a vehicle with these specifications/dimensions -
MAX GVW of 2000
MIN KERB of 1500
Towing capacity of at least 1500 so the trailer MAM can be utilised to its full potential
Im pretty sure 750kg is you maximum weight to tow without b+e im having the same problems.I'll use some guesswork for this answer ....
Firstly the trailer -
Lets say the trailer has a plated MAM of 1500 and unladen weight of 500
That would allow a load of 1000
To tow that on a B licence you would need a vehicle with these specifications/dimensions -
MAX GVW of 2000
MIN KERB of 1500
Towing capacity of at least 1500 so the trailer MAM can be utilised to its full potential
ETA: ^^^^ What Rog said
swifthobo said:
hmmm well the problem I have is.. its caravan I need tow for the summer festivals its plated at 790kg's and I will be towing with a grand vitara I will be under 3.5 tonnes for sure how will I stand with this? I hear it such a grey area not even coppers really know the rules.
Traffic cops do know the law on thishttp://carleasingmadesimple.com/business-car-leasi...
GVW of the vitara is about 1800 to 2200 so towing with 790 kgs plated MAM/MPTLM is perfectly legal on a B licence
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