anyone done the trailer test to add it to your license?

[Departed 32016]

Being young, (26) I can't tow without conduting a further driving test to show me ability to tow a caravan or trailer- just wondering if anyone has done this at all and they found it?

[topman]

I did the B+E test last year. It's longer than the car test. It's about an 1h 45mins long, there is a reverse the trailer part of the test that can be a bit tricky.
You reverse back from one box of cones into another about 15 yrds away and about 5/10 yards to your right. You have to go to the right of the cone and not hit it. Once in the second box you pull forward it another open box of cones to simulate pulling forward into a garage. You then have to un hitch the trailer and pull away then rehitch it. You have to do a bit of an inspection and an oral 'test' about the trailer. You then have about an hour of driving around.
Some last longer over 2 hrs. I did mine in one week course, Mon to Thurs driving test on friday. Passed first time:D

[Roverowner]

Haven´t done the latest British one but have the licence for heavy trailer (full bus and lorry too) Very useful, saved a fine a few times:D

[matt_tdv6]

What test ;)

[derekosb]

What test ;)

That's what I was thinking??:shrug: But I passed my test in 1981 so are the rules different now?

Derek

[topman]

That's what I was thinking??:shrug: But I passed my test in 1981 so are the rules different now?

Derek

Yep no freebies anymore;)

[sikelsh]

It depends what you are towing I think, car and caravan you should be ok.

Anything over 3.5 tonnes requires a test

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_4022521

Simon

[Departed 32016]

take a look at the back of your licence, I have B, B1 FKP.

B+e is a trailer / caravan

If you got your licence before Jan 1997 you're ok up to 3.5 tonnes, if after you can't tow, until you sit another test.

[tazman3]

take a look at the back of your licence, I have B, B1 FKP.

B+e is a trailer / caravan

If you got your licence before Jan 1997 you're ok up to 3.5 tonnes, if after you can't tow, until you sit another test.

IIRC as my wife passed her test about 4 years ago and all she is allowed to drive is a car...

No minibuses or vans or lorry upto 8 tonnes either never mind towing...lol

Martin

[sikelsh]

I think your wrong

That link doesnt say that

Car licences obtained on or after 1 January 1997

If you passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 you're limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass towing a trailer up to 750kgs, or a vehicle and trailer combination up to 3.5 tonnes MAM providing the MAM of the trailer doesn't exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle. You will need to pass an additional driving test in B+E if you wish to tow a caravan or trailer combination which exceeds these weight limits.

Further Reading

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_10013073

[Departed 32016]

I think your wrong

That link doesnt say that

Car licences obtained on or after 1 January 1997

If you passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 you're limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass towing a trailer up to 750kgs, or a vehicle and trailer combination up to 3.5 tonnes MAM providing the MAM of the trailer doesn't exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle. You will need to pass an additional driving test in B+E if you wish to tow a caravan or trailer combination which exceeds these weight limits.

Further Reading

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_10013073

ah very good, i suppose i should read it, so looks like i don't need to sit that test. So as your very direct comment says I am wrong.

I can as above drive with a trailer but those who passed before 1997 can drive a heavier one,

[sikelsh]

ah very good, i suppose i should read it, so looks like i don't need to sit that test. So as your very direct comment says I am wrong.

I can as above drive with a trailer but those who passed before 1997 can drive a heavier one,

Some sensitive folks on this forum:shrug: your welcome.

[Departed 32016]

Some sensitive folks on this forum:shrug: your welcome.

just "a bit a banter" :)

[CFS75]

This has reminded me of an early towing experience when I was in the army many years ago. The sergeant major called for a volunteeer to go to a depot about 15 miles away to pick up a GTV. I was not a designated driver but had a licence so I volunteered.

When I arrived at the depot I was pointed in the direction of a large Austin GTV that was waiting for me so I climbed up into the cab, checked the controls and started the engine. I was about to pull away when a mechanic rushed over to me waving some papers - I had not signed for the vehicle!

As I signed the forms I noticed that in addition to the GTV, I was signing for an ammunition limber and a 25 pounder gun. I dismounted from the vehicle and went to the rear and was surprised to find a limber and a gun attached - two trailers - and not visible from the drivers seat.!

It was my first experience of towing. The limber had a run on brake but there was no similar braking on the gun, so braking the outfit was quite alarming with a series of shunts from behind as the GTV braked. I also realised that the trailers did not track directly behind the GTV when there was a camber on the road, and the gun tended to run about a foot nearer to the gutter!

When I returned to base I parked up and declined the suggestion that I attempt to reverse with the two trailers attached. Happy days.

Colin S

[matt_tdv6]

Its a grey area with many loopholes ;)

[OliverTailor]

Yes, I did it! I have HGV Class 1 Licence. It allows me to drive a vehicle weighing over 7.5t, that has a detachable or a separate trailer. HGV licence is definitely worth having and if you have an interest in lorries, haulage and roads, then lorry driving becomes a way of life, like in my case

[Groundsman Willie]

Congratulations :D

[macafee2]

I did the B+E test last year. It's longer than the car test. It's about an 1h 45mins long, there is a reverse the trailer part of the test that can be a bit tricky.
You reverse back from one box of cones into another about 15 yrds away and about 5/10 yards to your right. You have to go to the right of the cone and not hit it. Once in the second box you pull forward it another open box of cones to simulate pulling forward into a garage. You then have to un hitch the trailer and pull away then rehitch it. You have to do a bit of an inspection and an oral 'test' about the trailer. You then have about an hour of driving around.
Some last longer over 2 hrs. I did mine in one week course, Mon to Thurs driving test on friday. Passed first time:D

1.45 to 2 hrs, that's a long test just so you can tow a decent weight considering you have already past a test to drive a car.
Nice that for once there is a good reason for being old, grandfather rights.

macafee2

[rustymotor]

It makes me wonder how safe some folk are when towing caravans and trailers. I passed my test in 1968 dear me what a long time ago..I once had a 4.2 Jag and a Lynton 4 birth caravan, was on holiday and stopped around the new forest in a big pub, thought had better pull up in an area reserved for coaches, there was one there already Wallis Arnold, drove alongside it, when I got out to check position etc..the jag and caravan were past the coach by about 3' front and back, it was only then that it struck me how long the rig was. Started to be very careful especially getting fuel :}

[rrobson]

I did the B+E test last year. It's longer than the car test. It's about an 1h 45mins long, there is a reverse the trailer part of the test that can be a bit tricky.
You reverse back from one box of cones into another about 15 yrds away and about 5/10 yards to your right. You have to go to the right of the cone and not hit it. Once in the second box you pull forward it another open box of cones to simulate pulling forward into a garage. You then have to un hitch the trailer and pull away then rehitch it. You have to do a bit of an inspection and an oral 'test' about the trailer. You then have about an hour of driving around.
Some last longer over 2 hrs. I did mine in one week course, Mon to Thurs driving test on friday. Passed first time:D

This is pretty much exactly what to expect. I did mine two years ago and did a two day course, first day was mainly reversing practices with hitching and unhitching and general driving practice. Second day was similar with a test In The afternoon.
A word of caution however, if you aren't confident about passing your test it will be difficult because it is a dsa test with a trailer attached. No theory though.

If I were to do it again I'd do my c1+e, which is up to 7.5t but you have to do c1 first then c1+e and I think it's £1500 for the lot, the b+e was under £500 and that was with the use of the instructors discovery and Fuel.

[G.F]

My age means I didn't have to do this and jumped straight into a 7.5 tonner at 18 and went all round the country.
Now I have a class 1 HGV which covers it all anyway. Rules for that have changed a lot too. Up to a few years ago you couldn't get HGV until 23. Due to the driver shortage (caused by truck drivers being less respected than lawyers or estate agents these days) the age limit is now 18! Where I work we have 4 drivers in 44 tonne brick lorries under 19 which concerns me a lot. They drive the trucks like their cars.....
I got that frustrated at age 48 I've cut and run and now work in the office. Still keeping my licence up though (which means classroom refresher sessions every 5 years, medical every 5 years etc). They aren't easy things to get thsee days and our guys are on 40-45k a year!

[roverbarmy]

I took my HGV 1 and 3 many years ago, when trucks were hard to drive! My old Atkinson Borderer had no power anything, no synchros and a "back to front" gearbox layout at the top end. Great fun sending out the young know alls on that when they got too cocky!:D One threw the keys at me and never came back!:shrug:

[macafee2]

It makes me wonder how safe some folk are when towing caravans and trailers. I passed my test in 1968 dear me what a long time ago..I once had a 4.2 Jag and a Lynton 4 birth caravan, was on holiday and stopped around the new forest in a big pub, thought had better pull up in an area reserved for coaches, there was one there already Wallis Arnold, drove alongside it, when I got out to check position etc..the jag and caravan were past the coach by about 3' front and back, it was only then that it struck me how long the rig was. Started to be very careful especially getting fuel :}

to be honest, I reckon safer (going forwards) then some folk that don't tow.
i admit there will be times when someone towing makes a mistake but it will more often then not be the same mistake as someone not towing.
The driver that is a danger when towing, is probably a danger when solo and they have already passed a test.

very few trailers end up in an accident going round a bend, many solo cars do. Probably the most common accident in towing results from a snake, some are the fault of the driver, some the fault of other drivers.

reversing a caravan or smaller trailer is an art as the wheels are close to the back of the car.

perhaps there are stats to show I'm wrong but in truth, i'm not convinced a trailer test is required.

I did a search on youtube for caravan crashes, not that many. Two I've seen are down to stupidity, one moving from lane 1 or 2 onto a slip road and trying to bully a lorry into giving way. the second involved overtaking a lorry on the approach to a traffic island and then trying to cut in front of the lorry. The two car drivers were not a danger because they were towing, they were already a danger.

the one on the slip road got what he deserved, a damaged vehicle

macafee2

[SideValve]

One of my daughters has just failed :¬(
Couple of extra points, you need to do it with a proper set up, set weight secured in trailer & towing mirrors fitted.
And you can fail if you mess up hitching / unhitching ….

[macafee2]

One of my daughters has just failed :¬(
Couple of extra points, you need to do it with a proper set up, set weight secured in trailer & towing mirrors fitted.
And you can fail if you mess up hitching / unhitching ….

is that mirrors when towing something wider then the car or towing mirrors anyway?

what was she using as a trailer?

macafee2

[gary t]

40/45 k ? got any jobs goin ?

[SideValve]

is that mirrors when towing something wider then the car or towing mirrors anyway?

what was she using as a trailer?

macafee2

I read somewhere (but cant find the link now) that you are meant to be able to see 4m to the side of the trailer. But the gov site just says you need towing mirrors.

https://www.gov.uk/car-trailer-driving-test/car-rules

She used the horse trailer we usually use but couldn't take a horse - had borrow a 1000kg water container.

[macafee2]

I read somewhere (but cant find the link now) that you are meant to be able to see 4m to the side of the trailer. But the gov site just says you need towing mirrors.

https://www.gov.uk/car-trailer-driving-test/car-rules

She used the horse trailer we usually use but couldn't take a horse - had borrow a 1000kg water container.


this is interesting, sorry see attachment it wont paste property

seems the trailer test is a full driving test, you have an auto licence but can take a test in a manual but if you have a manual licence and use an auto for the test you can only tow with an auto. The person with a manual licence has more skills as they have to operate a clutch and gear lever.

well strange

macafee2

[maxi_crawf]

Glad I passed my test in 1980.

[HarryM1BYT]

is that mirrors when towing something wider then the car or towing mirrors anyway?

what was she using as a trailer?

macafee2


I have been towing 50 years and I'm not convinced towing mirrors are that essential. I would go as far as to say I hate them, they are more of a liability. Good observation through most normal mirrors works as well or better than towing mirrors at least on UK roads. Not many UK roads are without any bends, on the bends you can get a good view behind at each curve in the road - I make good use of that to look behind, plus what I can see through the caravan's front and rear windows. The car is not much narrower than the caravan, so I can almost see the caravan's rear corners anyway, even when the outfit is straight. I do though always carry towing mirrors.

[Fox3]

I think your wrong

That link doesnt say that

Car licences obtained on or after 1 January 1997

If you passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 you're limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass towing a trailer up to 750kgs, or a vehicle and trailer combination up to 3.5 tonnes MAM providing the MAM of the trailer doesn't exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle. You will need to pass an additional driving test in B+E if you wish to tow a caravan or trailer combination which exceeds these weight limits.

Further Reading

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_10013073

The important bit in this I've highlighted in bold.

The MAM (Maximum authorised mass / maximum capacity of the trailer) cant exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle

So a trailer with a capacity of 1.5t (regardless if its empty or loaded) would be illegal to tow, on your licence with most of the Rover 75 range.

This gets worse if you look at a larger car, I.E. a discovery, you'd be limited to the 700kg.

To confuse things even more, if you go for a lighter car and heavier trailer, you cant go over 3.5t combined.

Its a law, that while makes a degree of sense, forces you down a route of getting something unsuitable to tow with should you wish to tow anything of reasonable size!

I've not done my trailer test, but passed my class one HGV last year, I can tow just about anything now without taking the trailer test, seems rather daft to me, an articulated wagon and a car and trailer are two completely different beasts!

A lot of folk in the horse world get there horsebox 'down plated' to ensure they fall within the law, a 2t capacity trailer gets 'down plated' to say 1t, so they can tow it. It really is just changing the stamped capacity plate, and is perfectly legal.

Although if you just remove the plate, or its an old trailer without one, they go on tyre ratings!

Crackers.

[HarryM1BYT]

A lot of folk in the horse world get there horsebox 'down plated' to ensure they fall within the law, a 2t capacity trailer gets 'down plated' to say 1t, so they can tow it. It really is just changing the stamped capacity plate, and is perfectly legal.

Although if you just remove the plate, or its an old trailer without one, they go on tyre ratings!

Crackers.


At the factory, a lot of caravan manufacturers do the same. They derate the caravan chassis, lower that what it was designed for. Reason, it helps their sales to less capable vehicle owners. It thus restricts the payload which can be legally carried in the caravan by the owner.



Its a simple job to have it rerated up to its original rating, just a simple change of rating plate - but it costs. You pay the manufacture maybe £100 for the replacement.

[Briodyjl01]

All this about difference licenses confuses the hell out of me im nearly 23 and got my licence in november 2014 so i know i would need to take a test. what test i wouldnt have a clue.

The things i am wanting to tow would be a car trailer carring an austin metro or a rover metro and possible a small caravn/trailer tent.

Now i have a 2.0 tourer with big tow bar its someting i would like to look into. what are the kinda costs involved.

thank you

[Fox3]

All this about difference licenses confuses the hell out of me im nearly 23 and got my licence in november 2014 so i know i would need to take a test. what test i wouldnt have a clue.

The things i am wanting to tow would be a car trailer carring an austin metro or a rover metro and possible a small caravn/trailer tent.

Now i have a 2.0 tourer with big tow bar its someting i would like to look into. what are the kinda costs involved.

thank you

Anywhere between £500 and £1000 depending on experience and where you go.

Your not a million miles from these based near York. They are not the cheapest, but have an excellent pass rate, new vehicles etc. I did my class 2 and class 1 with them, highly recommended.

http://www.tockwithtraining.co.uk/trailer_training.html
(http://www.tockwithtraining.co.uk/trailer_training.html)