Can someone please explain the current legislation with regard to trailer towing for new licence holders.

Ree jnr in this case. His car + small trailer pulling are his requirements

I've just been onto the DVLA website, but I'm more confused now than I was before tbqh.

Simple explanation would be much appreciated

Simplest of answers is as long as it's under 750kg it can be unbraked, over that it has to be braked. As long as the combined weight of car and trailer are under 3500kg.

That's what I got told (got my licence in 2001) and thats what I go by.

HTH

Michelle

Simplest of answers is as long as it's under 750kg it can be unbraked, over that it has to be braked. As long as the combined weight of car and trailer are under 3500kg.

That's what I got told (got my licence in 2001) and thats what I go by.

HTH

Michelle

Is that allowed without having to take a seperate driving test do you know?

From Direct Gov:

Car driving licence first obtained since 1 January 1997

Drivers who passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 are required to pass an additional driving test in order to gain entitlement to category B+E and all larger vehicles. In addition to the new driving tests, drivers of vehicles which fall within subcategories C1, C1+E, D1 and D1+E also have to meet higher medical standards.

(B+E is car plus trailer)

Edited 21 November, 201015 yr by skoda norm

From Direct Gov:

Car driving licence first obtained since 1 January 1997

Drivers who passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 are required to pass an additional driving test in order to gain entitlement to category B+E and all larger vehicles. In addition to the new driving tests, drivers of vehicles which fall within subcategories C1, C1+E, D1 and D1+E also have to meet higher medical standards.

(B+E is car plus trailer)

So quite simply, if you passed your test AFTER 01/01/97, and you want to pull ANY trailer, you have to take another driving test?

Michelle. You'd better look into this a bit deeper I fear.

So quite simply, if you passed your test AFTER 01/01/97, and you want to pull ANY trailer, you have to take another driving test?

Michelle. You'd better look into this a bit deeper I fear.

Yes, that's correct I'm afraid. I deal with licencing quite a bit in my job. Linky

No B+E = No trailer.

Edited 21 November, 201015 yr by skoda norm

Yes, that's correct I'm afraid. I deal with licencing quite a bit in my job. Linky

No B+E = No trailer.

Thanks for that Norm.

I'll get Ree jnr. to ring the driving instructor he used last year for further advice and directions.

Thanks for that Norm.

I'll get Ree jnr. to ring the driving instructor he used last year for further advice and directions.

Sorry!!!!!!

Michelle is correct, I need to read up more!

From Direct GOV again:

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.

How stupid do I feel! :( :( :(

Edited 21 November, 201015 yr by skoda norm

Sorry!!!!!!

Michelle is correct, I need to read up more!

From Direct GOV again:

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.

How stupid do I feel! :( :( :(

No worries matey!

Not exactly clear to understand on the first reading is it? :S

Anyway, he's in the clear to pull a small trailer with a lawn mower on it now then?

S'pose I'd better get my trailer down to the weigh bridge just to make absolutely sure it's under 750kgs.

Edited 21 November, 201015 yr by Mr Ree

Yea, he should be OK 750 KG is probably about the weight of a fiesta or somethin so no worries.

You'd be lucky to find any mass produced car like a fiesta weighing anywhere near 750Kg.

You'd be lucky to find any mass produced car like a fiesta weighing anywhere near 750Kg.

Lol, OK a Smart car then...

Lol, OK a Smart car then...

Local Agricultural College a good place to look for trailer tuition if required. Lots of young ladies learning to tow their horse boxes.

I've done a lot of research into this as I have a boat and I work in the marine trade, I've been towing for years.

The B+E test allows you to tow any trailer up to 3,500kg, regardless of vehicle (as long as the vehicle is capable of towing the trailer).

Without the B+E, you can tow a trailer of up to 750kg with any car. If the trailer is over 750kg, then the combined maximum authorised mass (or gross weight) of the car AND trailer COMBINED cannot exceed 3,500kg.

To give you an example, my previous car - an Audi S4, weighed 1,500kg or something, but had a gross weight of 2,150kg. This is the weight of the car, fully loaded with a full roof rack, 5 passengers and a full boot load. My boat trailer is rated to carry a gross weight of 1,500kg. I weighed the boat and trailer and it came to 1,300kg so I had the trailer (legally) replated to 1,350kg. Therefore, the gross weight of my car and boat is now 3,500kg so I can legally tow it.

What is stupid is that it's illegal for me to tow my boat with any of the company 4x4's as it then puts it over 3,500kg!

Edited 24 November, 201015 yr by dan yeates

I've done a lot of research into this as I have a boat and I work in the marine trade, I've been towing for years.

The B+E test allows you to tow any trailer up to 3,500kg, regardless of vehicle (as long as the vehicle is capable of towing the trailer).

Without the B+E, you can tow a trailer of up to 750kg with any car. If the trailer is over 750kg, then the combined maximum authorised mass (or gross weight) of the car AND trailer COMBINED cannot exceed 3,500kg.

To give you an example, my previous car - an Audi S4, weighed 1,500kg or something, but had a gross weight of 2,150kg. This is the weight of the car, fully loaded with a full roof rack, 5 passengers and a full boot load. My boat trailer is rated to carry a gross weight of 1,500kg. I weighed the boat and trailer and it came to 1,300kg so I had the trailer (legally) replated to 1,350kg. Therefore, the gross weight of my car and boat is now 3,500kg so I can legally tow it.

What is stupid is that it's illegal for me to tow my boat with any of the company 4x4's as it then puts it over 3,500kg!

Strewth. What an absolute minefield!

Times like this that I'm glad to be an old fart that doesn't need to take new tests!