uk license question

[trem1]

do any of you understand the current regulations for towing a trailer?

My eldest son passed his test 5 years ago and wants to start doing some motor sport which will involve him pulling a trailer but the rules seem as clear as mud to us, we thought/think that because he passed his test after 1997 he needs to do a further test to add this to his license but after reading these were not too sure can you read these and let me have your opinions please or if anyone knows just let me know cos its gotta be fully legal

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Dr ... G_10013073

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Dr ... DG_4022564

btw we priced up the option of getting the further test and were shocked at the price
2 day course £599.50

[HimBigChief]

What does he have on the back of his licence? As far as I am aware, he will need a further test (as my wife needs one in order to be able to tow a horse box). I suppose it will all depend on what he has on both the front bottom and rear of his licence. On my (pre 97) licence, I have a list at the very bottom on the front of B, BE, C1, C1ER, D1, D1E, f, k, l, n, p. This corresponds to the items in section 14 on the rear of the licence. I don't have any codes against any of the above list other than C1E, D1, D1E. Your son will probably have either a shorter list or will have codes against more of the above list.

That said, just read through DirectGov website and they have this:

The tables list the vehicle category descriptions for driving tests passed after 1 January 1997 and the minimum ages for driving them. All weights refer to maximum authorised mass (MAM) unless stated otherwise. This is the total weight of the vehicle plus the maximum load it can carry.

Fixed Linky 1

Fixed Link 2

Having read through both, the websites contradict themselves, so you may be best off ringing the DVLA and questioning them directly.

[munfred]

Ill try and find the regulations. They have revised the wording now so it makes more sense. One of the Caravan towing sites also had it on, Ill also try and find that.
I too fall under this catagory, and chances are unless he is doing something stupid then he probably wont get pulled anyway. Much like normal driviing.

Basically he is entitled to drive any vehicle up to 3.5tonnes. So some minibuses and vans he can drive and other he will not be able to.

This 3.5tonnes MAM weight (maximum authorised mass) applies when towing aswell.
He is allowed to tow a trailer aslong as the total weight of the laden trailer and the laden vehicle are under 3.5tonnes. In addition the total laden weight of the loaded trailer is not allowed to exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle.

So in my instance the 406 is approx 1500kg.
Saxo track car is approx 800kg
I am hoping my trailer is under 700kg, which it although looking pretty industrial is hopefully under that weight. (it was previously owned by a farmer who used it to tow his trackers on.........)

I am currently looking at a slightly larger car as a tow car, possibly a 4x4, but the MAM weights are currently limiting my options.

Hope this helps, and Ill try and dig out the exact legislation. Its all similar to the like of the old wives tale saying that people with the later licences are not allowed to drive minibuses. They are, only if the weight is below 3.5tonnes and it is not for pay or reward.

[trem1]

thanks munfred its a bit of a minefield isnt it,but the way you explained it is exactly how we think but we gotta be sure cos i'll probly be sat next to him so would be pointless if he's not legal and i am

[djp30djp]

It's the "E" part that's the trailer "B" is a vehicle up to 3.5t & "B+E" is the same plus trailer.
He would also need the "B+E" provisional entitlement to tow "under instruction".

[mjb]

I've looked at this hell before. It's not nice

Basically you can tow a little box trailer (you know, the wooden wheelbarrows) or a motorbike trailer, but not a caravan. Anything in the middle is murky and is something like the MAM of the car and trailer have to be under 3.5T or something

Anything over that you need the license

[munfred]

This should help a little.

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/Practical+ ... +tests.htm



http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Dr ... G_10013073
Category B: Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM and with up to eight passenger seats
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.

For example:

a vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a MAM of 2 tonnes coupled with a trailer with a MAM of 1.25 tonnes could be driven by the holder of a category B entitlement. This is because the MAM of the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and also the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle
Whereas

the same vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a MAM of 2 tonnes when coupled with a trailer with a MAM of 1.5 tonnes would fall within category B+E. This is because although the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is within the 3.5 tonnes MAM limit, the MAM of the trailer is more than the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle
Vehicle manufacturers normally recommend a maximum weight of trailer appropriate to their vehicle. Details can usually be found in the vehicle's handbook or obtained from car dealerships. The size of the trailer recommended for an average family car with an unladen weight of around 1 tonne would be well within the new category B threshold.

[djp30djp]

Be carefull, remember its the Maximum Authorised Mass that counts so a car with an MAM of 2000kg and a caravan with an MAM of 1600kg is above the 3500kg MAM - REGARDLESS of the actual weight. Check the MAM of the trailer carefully.