Trailer test - Anyone done one? Do I need to do it?

[anonymous-user]

I passed my driving test in early 1997 just after the trailer towing rules were changed, so as far as I know, I cannot tow anything over 750kg?

I'm going to need to tow the odd trailer now and again for the foreseeable future, a mix of medium size 'dropside' trailers containing stuff like building site odds and ends/tools, and I will also recreationally tow the odd small trailer with a quadbike on or a couple of dirtbikes.

Now, Im fairly sure that none of the above will be any more than the 750kg limit, however I find the rules quite confusing as they seem to suggest that if a trailer is rated as having a 1 ton payload capacity for example, then despite it being empty or half full, I have still broken the law. Can anyone clear this up for me?

Also, what happens if a trailer doesn't have a plate on it saying capacity weight, and is below the 750kg limit when loaded?

Given all the above, it might be easier for me to just take my trailer test... So has anyone done it and if so how much did it cost all in for the training and test, and what was involved? I have towed trailers off road lots and have no trouble reversing round corners etc.

I have even towed car trailers complete with loaded car in the past, before I was fully aware of the 'rules'... Whoops.
I wonder how many girls/blokes that passed after 1997 tow horseboxes completely unaware that they don't gave a licence... I certainly know a few!

Edited to add: I will be towing with an Astravan 2.0DTI if that makes any difference to combined weights etc.

[y2blade]

the trailer towing rules changed?

[Acheron]

Confuses me as well most of the time, i wish i had passed my test when they gave everything out like a raffle. Anyway, maybe this could help;
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensi...

[Lefty]

The trailer will have a plated weight. This is what the licence refers to.

I'm like you, passed test in Jan '97 and only have 750kg entitlement.

I regularly use an 8'x4' unbraked twin axle trailer that's only plated at 750kg. Whether it's always weighed less than 750kg I have no idea.

[Mr Will]

You can tow more than 750kg but the rules are as clear as mud:

direct.gov said:

As category B but with a trailer weighing more than 750 kg. The total weight of the vehicle and the trailer together can’t weigh more than 3,500 kg. The weight of the trailer, when fully loaded, can’t weigh more than the unladen weight of the vehicle

The example does make it a bit more clear though:

direct.gov said:

Example of category B with a trailer weighing over 750 kg: Motor vehicle with an unladen weight of 1,500 kg and a maximum weight of 2,000 kg towing a fully loaded trailer with a weight of 1,500 kg – total weight 3500.

[300bhp/ton]

I'm interested in this also, as I too passed my test in early 97 when they changed the regs.

I've done some research and it seems as always it's a total mess and misinformation.

Long and short to be covered you need to take the trailer test, however it seems if you pick the right vehicle and right trailer you can still legally tow a lot of things, despite the first look 750kg restriction.