Trailer towing:- B and B+E licence rules explained

I have extensive knowledge on this issue and already have a trailer towing clinic HERE as well as many other sites.

I use the above to demonstrate that I have not joined this site to spam etc but simply to help others understand the rules which the Govt sites do not seem to explain very well.

Trailer MAM means the maximum weight the trailer can be when fully loaded (weight of empty trailer plus weight of load)

Trailers over 3500 kgs plated MAM weight come under different rules which is why all the trailers towed by B class vehicles , those of 3.5 tonnes and under, are not plated at more than 3500 kgs or 3.5 tonnes MAM

Trailers without plates use the total of the TYRE LOAD RATINGS to determine the MAM

A rating of 66 on 4 tyres would give a MAM of 1200 kgs.

Vehicles in the B licence category will have the following information on a plate in the vehicle, in the handbook or on the V5 form.

Information can also be found on many internet vehicle specification sites.

Unladen or Kerb weight - although there is a slight difference in the two it is not that much

GVW - the max weight the vehicle can weigh when fully loaded

GTW - the max weight the vehicle and trailer can ACTUALLY weigh when added together. This does not refer to the total of the vehicle GWV and trailer MAM weights.

Towing capacity - this is the ACTUAL weight that can be towed by the vehicle - it does not mean the trailer MAM weight.

None of the above weights must be exceeded

Some vehicles have a GVW, a towing capacity and a GTW. In such a case the GTW takes priority over the GVW and towing capacity when added together

FOR B+E LICENCES

Where a towing capacity is listed then this would be a legal example:-

CAR has GVW of 2000 and a towing capacity of 1800

TRAILER has a MAM of 3500 and an unladen weight of 1000

The trailer can be loaded with a maximum weight of 800

Where there is not a towing capacity listed then the GTW is used

GTW minus the GVW does not give the towing capacity unless the vehicle is fully laden

EXAMPLE: -

VAN has GVW of 3500 and GTW of 6000

TRAILER has MAM of 3500

The van and trailer can weigh 3000 each and be legal

FOR B LICENCES

The Gov sites are not that good at explaining this so I have managed to find a simple way of determining whether a driver can tow something on a B only licence -

To tow over 750 kgs with a B licence you need to say NO to the following:-

Is the plated MAM of the trailer more than the UNLADEN/KERB/EMPTY weight of the towing vehicle?

Does the GVW of the towing vehicle plus the plated MAM of the trailer add up to more than 3500 kgs?

Is the ACTUAL weight of the empty trailer and its load more than the listed towing capacity?

Example of legally towing over 750 kgs with a B licence - made up figures but not that far from what can be found....

Towing vehicle -

Unladen/empty/kerb = 1500

GVW = 2000

Towing capacity = 1800

Trailer -

Unladen/empty = 800

MAM = 1500 (Perhaps originally a 2000 MAM but downplated by manufacturer so it conforms to B licence towing)

Load trailer with 700 max

Reasons it is legal for towing on a B licence -

The 1500 MAM of the trailer is not more than the 1500 unladen/empty weight of the towing vehicle

The 2000 GVW of the towing vehicle plus the 1500 MAM of the trailer is not more than 3500

The towing capacity/actual weight being towed does not exceed 1800

SUPERVISING A B+E LEARNER

In April 2010 new rules were introduced for those supervising certain learner drivers but they only affected those supervising VOCATIONAL categories such as C1 C1+E D1 & D1+E where the supervising driver had those categories given to them for free when they passed a pre 1997 car test.

They do not affect those with a pre 1997 B+E licence who wish to supervise a B+E learner.

The usual rules apply when a learner is driving -

The supervising driver must be aged over 21

The supervising driver must have held a B+E licence for at least 3 years

L plates must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and the rear of the trailer

Correct insurance for a B+E learner

Caravan weights work on a slightly different system as they take into account the recommended (not legal) 85% towing rule

I hope this helps those who are unsure of the rules

The B only licence category DOES allow you to tow trailers BUT there are weight restrictions.

RULE 1 - The gross plated weight of the trailer (MAM) cannot exceed the vehicle kerbweight.

RULE 2 - Also, the sum of the vehicle gross plated weight (GVW) and the trailer gross plated weight (MAM) cannot exceed 3500kg.

Examples:-

Vehicle 1200kg kerbweight, 1700kg gross plated weight (GVW) = maximum trailer gross plated weight (MAM) 1200kg SEE RULE 1

Vehicle 1500kg kerbweight, 2000kg gross plated weight (GVW) = maximum trailer gross plated weight (MAM) 1500kg SEE RULES 1 & 2

Vehicle 1800kg kerbweight, 2300kg gross plated weight (GVW) = maximum trailer gross plated weight (MAM) 1200kg SEE RULE 2

The weight which can be loaded on the trailer is the trailer gross plated weight (MAM) minus the trailer unladen weight

Trailer gross plated weight (MAM) 1500 with unladen weight 900 = a maximum load of 600

The listed maximum towing capacity for a vehicle must not be exceeded - that is actual weight not plated MAM weight

All B licence holders have a B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence

That means they can tow a B+E combination either loaded or empty and on a motorway providing they adhere to these rules:-

Supervising driver must be age 21+ and held B+E for 3+ years

L plates on front of vehicle and rear of trailer

Correct insurance for B+E learner - check with current insurer

=================================================================

The B+E test

No medical or theory test required

Read a number plate from a certain distance

- usually 5

The next three can be in any order:-

VIDEO - Reversing Exercise (old measurements) - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds

- done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds

One hour road drive - includes the independant drive and is done virtually the same as the basic car test

DISCLAIMER - I have no connection to any companies which may be featured in those videos

Edited 28 April, 201214 yr by ROG.

Please post with this info if you want me to answer a specific query - weights in kgs please

LICENCE

B or B+E

VEHICLE

Unladen/kerb =

GVW =

GTW =

Towing capacity =

TRAILER

Unladen =

MAM =

This was all discusted a while back but could not get a proper answer from the dlva's website,

This is something am quiet interested in doing as I was a year to young to get automatic entitalment and want to tow my track car with my dads van when i eventually get it done but will be over the 3500kg limit altho i am no stranger to towing a trailer just under the 3500kg limit

This was all discusted a while back but could not get a proper answer from the dlva's website,

This is something am quiet interested in doing as I was a year to young to get automatic entitalment and want to tow my track car with my dads van when i eventually get it done but will be over the 3500kg limit altho i am no stranger to towing a trailer just under the 3500kg limit

The DVLA website is not written in the best way possible and many myths have grown up over the internet in the last few years aroung these issues which is why I made an in-depth study and came up with a few others ways of putting the rules without changing them

A few common myths/errors -

Drivers add up the actual weights for the 3500 B towing limit

Drivers add up the kerb weight and the actual trailer weight for the 3500 B towing limit

The MAM of the trailer cannot be more than the vehicle towing capacity - thats a very big internet myth!!

Some B+E training schools state that pre 1997 B+E licence holders cannot supervise B+E learners - that is either a genuine mis-understanding of the April 2010 law changes or they want more work for themselves......

Hiya Rog, I have a cat B licence, a Toyota Corolla 2L d4d, with a GVM 1780 and a towing capacity of 1300, the caravan I want to tow has an unladen weight of 750kg and a mam of 1200 is this legal?

Am I right in think I can tow a caravan with a mam of up to 1300 ( i.e. the towing capacity of the car? )

Thanks, 1.4 tsi

Hi rog have never been able to get a proper answer out of my company regarding this.

My work transit is 3.5tonne can tow 5.5tonne the van normally weighs in around 3tonne, we have a tri axle car trailer around 500kg in which I often have steel pipe on.

I have b+e done the test. Is it legal to tow when max weight is over 3.5tonne without a taco.

Cheers Pete.

Hi rog have never been able to get a proper answer out of my company regarding this.

My work transit is 3.5tonne can tow 5.5tonne the van normally weighs in around 3tonne, we have a tri axle car trailer around 500kg in which I often have steel pipe on.

I have b+e done the test. Is it legal to tow when max weight is over 3.5tonne without a taco.

Cheers Pete.

The transit has a GVW of 3500 and a GTW of 5500

It cannot tow 5500

The 5500 is the maximum actual weight of both van and trailer when put on a weighbridge

If you are going more than 50 km from base then that will need a tacho and be under EU regs 561/2006 if any trailer is towed by it as the possible MAM is going to be over 3500 kgs

An exemption from EU regs exists for vehicles or towing combinations where the maximum possible MAM is under 7.5 tonnes and no journey goes more than 50 km away from base

If the goods carried on the van or on the trailer are not the property of the company then that also requires a full O licence

If the goods carried do belong to the company the it only requires a restricted O licence if the trailer is over 1020 kgs unladen

Hiya Rog, I have a cat B licence, a Toyota Corolla 2L d4d, with a GVM 1780 and a towing capacity of 1300, the caravan I want to tow has an unladen weight of 750kg and a mam of 1200 is this legal?

Am I right in think I can tow a caravan with a mam of up to 1300 ( i.e. the towing capacity of the car? )

Thanks, 1.4 tsi

SPECS FOR YOUR CAR - LEFT COLUMN

LICENCE

B or B+E = B

VEHICLE

Unladen/kerb = 1385

GVW = 1780

Towing capacity = 1300

TRAILER/caravan

Unladen = 750

MAM = 1200

Perfectly LEGAL for B licence towing

Reasons -

GVW 1780 + MAM 1200 = 2980 which is well under the 3500 maximum

MAM 1200 is less than the vehicle 1385 unladen/kerb

The max towing capacity is safe unless you overload the caravan by more than 100 kgs!!

PS - missed answering your last query .....

The LEGAL maximum trailer MAM or caravan MPTLM for this set up on a B licence is 1385 kgs BUT it must never be loaded to an actual weight of more than 1300 because of the towing capacity

SAFETY is a seperate issue when towing a caravan - it is recommended that inexperienced caravanners do not at any time have the actual weight of the caravan at more than 85% of the actual weight of the towing vehicle

Kerb & MPTLM weights are often used for the above as they are constant weights but in reality it is the actual weights which matter

Edited 8 May, 201214 yr by ROG.

Hi Rog.

Brilliant little topic you've started!

I've got a question, regarding towing my race car on a B licence.

Tow car is a Volkswagen Passat 2006.

Looking at Parkers it looks like GVW is 1648kg and braked towing capacity is 1800kg.

What weight of trailer does this allow me to tow?Kevin

Hi Rog.

Brilliant little topic you've started!

I've got a question, regarding towing my race car on a B licence.

Tow car is a Volkswagen Passat 2006.

Looking at Parkers it looks like GVW is 1648kg and braked towing capacity is 1800kg.

What weight of trailer does this allow me to tow?Kevin

SPECS I think you got kerb & GVW mixed up

LICENCE

B or B+E = B

VEHICLE

Unladen/kerb = 1648

GVW = 2060

Towing capacity = 1800

Most car transporter trailers are about 500 kgs so I'll use that as an example figure

TRAILER

Unladen = 500

MAM = 1440 (MAX)

LOAD/RACE CAR 940 kgs (1440-500=940)

The trailer cannot be more than 1440 MAM because 1440+2060=3500

1440 is less than the 1648 kerb so thats ok

Also its well within the 1800 towing capacity

Trailers can easily be downplated by contacting the manufacturer and costs nowt or very little

Edited 8 May, 201214 yr by ROG.

Wonderful thanks for your help

Could you help me to work out the maths on a towing matter please:

Octavia 2004, the plate under the bonnet has following info on it:

1810 (which I assume is max car weight?)

3110 (max train weight?)

1- 1000

2-1000 ( weight limit on both axles?)

_____________________

500kg - unsure? - max unbreaked trailer maybe?

I ask because I am trying to work out if I can tow a car on a trailer with my 2004 octavia vrs within the law, or whether it over loads the legal limits. I have HGV C+E and therfor B+E on license.

The car I wish to transport is 1100kg - 1187kg (according to stats)

The trailer I would hire weighs 395kg approx with a max payload of 1500 kg

From what I worked out my car can only tow MAX 1300 KG so would I be right in assuming that this particular load would be too heavy.

Thanks

Rob.

Could you help me to work out the maths on a towing matter please:

Octavia 2004,

1810 (which I assume is max car weight?)

3110 (max train weight?)

I ask because I am trying to work out if I can tow a car on a trailer with my 2004 octavia vrs within the law, or whether it over loads the legal limits. I have HGV C+E and therfor B+E on license.

The car I wish to transport is 1100kg - 1187kg (according to stats)

The trailer I would hire weighs 395kg approx with a max payload of 1500 kg

From what I worked out my car can only tow MAX 1300 KG so would I be right in assuming that this particular load would be too heavy

You are correct - too heavy - cry!! - LOL

You make my job easy because you have all the correct and necessary info

Firstly the LOWER figure of the trailer MAM (1500) or towing capacity (1300) needs to be used so in this case it is 1300

We now deduct the unladen trailer weight (395) from that 1300 figure and get 905

905 kgs is the max we can load onto that trailer

If you were to get a towing vehicle with a bigger towing capacity (1500+) then it is still not likely to be legal because the 1500 trailer MAM minus the trailer unladen weight of 395 only leaves 1105 kgs for the load

You need a bigger towing capacity vehicle (1800+) and a bigger MAM trailer that is not too heavy when unladen - perhaps a trailer that is 500 unladen and 1800+ MAM leaving a load for the trailer of 1300 kgs - the trailer MAM can legally be more than the towing capacity

Hi ROG,

I asked at work about how we get round the tacho rules when going 50k with a heavy trailer and aparently it doesn't apply to us because we are a registered charity.

Any truth in that?

Hi ROG,

I asked at work about how we get round the tacho rules when going 50k with a heavy trailer and aparently it doesn't apply to us because we are a registered charity.

Any truth in that?

Exemption -

Vehicles or combinations of vehicles with a maximum

permissible mass not exceeding 7.5 tonnes used for the non-commercial carriage of goods.

The 50 km rule has nothing to do with the above - that applies to the commercial carriage of goods

So if a charity (non commercial) has a vehicle and trailer combination where the totals of the vehicle GVW and the trailer MAM do not add up to more than 7500 kgs then it is tacho exempt

The tacho rules are for those in commercial competition with each other

Excellent thread. Can I suggest it get's pinned?

On 19/01/2013 a few licencing changes occurred

 

The kerb weight rule for B licence towing was revoked

 

The extra rule for B licence towing of a trailer over 750 kgs MAM is

The vehicle GVW added to the trailer MAM must not total more than 3500 kgs

 

GVW and MAM have the same meaning - the legal maximum weight something can be when fully loaded

 

 

Another change which will affect virtually nobody ....

Those that pass both B and B+E after 19/01/2013 will be limited to a trailer MAM of 3500 kgs

That effectively gives a maximum total possible MAM of 7000 kgs