B+E learner

[JP_Midget]

Having had to take my test after 1st Jan 1997 (since I'd have been only 16 then), can anyone tell me what the rules are for regarding practising for the B+E trailer test?

Is it similar to driving as a learner, and all I need is to have a qualified person sitting next to me and display L-plates? I would like to go on one of those courses over a few days with a test at the end, but would feel much better prepared obviously if I could practise beforehand. Would there be any restrictions on when I could go too, I believe that the test takes in motorway driving, so are learners allowed on UK motorways?

Thanks in advance, I can't find any reference to driving as a learner in this respect on the DVLA website.

[vonhosen]

JP_Midget said:

Having had to take my test after 1st Jan 1997 (since I'd have been only 16 then), can anyone tell me what the rules are for regarding practising for the B+E trailer test?

Is it similar to driving as a learner, and all I need is to have a qualified person sitting next to me and display L-plates? I would like to go on one of those courses over a few days with a test at the end, but would feel much better prepared obviously if I could practise beforehand. Would there be any restrictions on when I could go too, I believe that the test takes in motorway driving, so are learners allowed on UK motorways?

Thanks in advance, I can't find any reference to driving as a learner in this respect on the DVLA website.

You have to display "L"plates & be supervised by someone who is qualified to carry out that role in that class of vehicle.

[SplatSpeed]

great caravans with L plates

[streaky]

Phew! I thought it was about Breaking and Entering! - Streaky

[Hooli]

vonhosen said:

JP_Midget said:

Having had to take my test after 1st Jan 1997 (since I'd have been only 16 then), can anyone tell me what the rules are for regarding practising for the B+E trailer test?

Is it similar to driving as a learner, and all I need is to have a qualified person sitting next to me and display L-plates? I would like to go on one of those courses over a few days with a test at the end, but would feel much better prepared obviously if I could practise beforehand. Would there be any restrictions on when I could go too, I believe that the test takes in motorway driving, so are learners allowed on UK motorways?

Thanks in advance, I can't find any reference to driving as a learner in this respect on the DVLA website.

You have to display "L"plates & be supervised by someone who is qualified to carry out that role in that class of vehicle.

would that be any driver who's held the licence for over 3 years (& over 21 is it?) like a car or an instructor Von?
its a good question i've never heard asked before.

[vonhosen]

Hooli said:

vonhosen said:

JP_Midget said:

Having had to take my test after 1st Jan 1997 (since I'd have been only 16 then), can anyone tell me what the rules are for regarding practising for the B+E trailer test?

Is it similar to driving as a learner, and all I need is to have a qualified person sitting next to me and display L-plates? I would like to go on one of those courses over a few days with a test at the end, but would feel much better prepared obviously if I could practise beforehand. Would there be any restrictions on when I could go too, I believe that the test takes in motorway driving, so are learners allowed on UK motorways?

Thanks in advance, I can't find any reference to driving as a learner in this respect on the DVLA website.

You have to display "L"plates & be supervised by someone who is qualified to carry out that role in that class of vehicle.

would that be any driver who's held the licence for over 3 years (& over 21 is it?) like a car or an instructor Von?
its a good question i've never heard asked before.

Doesn't have to be an instructor, they'll have had to have held the full licence for that class for 3 years & be over 21.

[Hooli]

cheers, i was unsure if it might have been like 'large' bikes on L-plates & require an instructor.

[Einion Yrth]

vonhosen said:

Doesn't have to be an instructor, they'll have had to have held the full licence for that class for 3 years & be over 21.

Does that include anyone who has that class on their licence through 'grandfather rights'? i.e. someone who may have precisely the level of experience in the class as the OP, to whit none, and yet is qualified to drive the class.

[tigger1]

vonhosen said:

Hooli said:

vonhosen said:

JP_Midget said:

Having had to take my test after 1st Jan 1997 (since I'd have been only 16 then), can anyone tell me what the rules are for regarding practising for the B+E trailer test?

Is it similar to driving as a learner, and all I need is to have a qualified person sitting next to me and display L-plates? I would like to go on one of those courses over a few days with a test at the end, but would feel much better prepared obviously if I could practise beforehand. Would there be any restrictions on when I could go too, I believe that the test takes in motorway driving, so are learners allowed on UK motorways?

Thanks in advance, I can't find any reference to driving as a learner in this respect on the DVLA website.

You have to display "L"plates & be supervised by someone who is qualified to carry out that role in that class of vehicle.

would that be any driver who's held the licence for over 3 years (& over 21 is it?) like a car or an instructor Von?
its a good question i've never heard asked before.

Doesn't have to be an instructor, they'll have had to have held the full licence for that class for 3 years & be over 21.

So, either somebody who passed their test before 1997, or somebody who has had a licence more than 3 years, is over 21, and holds that category on their own licence?

Always annoys me that had I been born a year earlier I would (with the same training) have been able to have a couple of extra classes on my licence (towing, certain minibus usage etc).

[JP_Midget]

Thanks Von, and everyone who has replied, you have asked and answered all the questions I needed!

I have good friends that are very competent at trailering, so I won’t be grabbing just anyone with the category on their licence to help me learn; technically I could get my Mum to sit in with me, but I won’t put either of us through that! When I learned to drive she did sit with me to practise, but that was after I had numerous lessons and so could drive, but just hadn’t taken the test if you see what I mean. It won’t be with a caravan either; I need to learn so I can tow my race car around (yippeee)!

I do think this change to the law is actually a good thing, but like Tigger, I’m annoyed that I wasn’t born a year earlier so that I slipped through and didn’t have to take a formal test (though I would still have taken the time to be taught)!

The thing is, most of my friends that I have mentioned this to had no idea that they couldn’t tow any old trailer or caravan on their licence.

I’ll be off to buy some “L” plates forthwith! They’ll go well with the novice cross on my car when we go to race meets!