The young ones (trailer test)

Fast Eddy · Post by **Fast Eddy** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 11:43 am

There are some advantages to being old then as i passed my test in 1982.

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 12:01 pm

[quote="IWANT1"]Took my test today.......and Passed with only 3 minors which is pretty good going.

Not cheap though

IWANT1 · Post by **IWANT1** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 1:39 pm

There are some advantages to being old then as i passed my test in 1982

How old, i was only two then :lol:

Taken from the DVLA

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 750 kgs, 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'll 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.

2ton tow vehicle 1.5ton car thats 3.5 without the trailer.....

323ian · Post by **323ian** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 8:00 pm

So if you was towing a car on a trailer with a normal size car i would guess that would be below 3.5 ton. In theory then i would be legal?

Well done by the way mate.

IWANT1 · Post by **IWANT1** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 8:32 pm

Yes in theory, but the car would have to be bloody light as the towing vehicle i believe is meant to weigh more than the weight of the trailer and car combined...

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.
Towing caravans
As for towing caravans, existing general guidance recommends that the laden weight of the caravan does not exceed 85% of the unladen weight of the car. In the majority of cases, caravans and small trailers towed by cars should be within the new category B threshold.

An exemption from the driver licensing trailer limit allows a category B licence holder to tow a broken down vehicle from a position where it would otherwise cause danger or obstruction to other road users.

By passing a category B test national categories F (tractor), K (pedestrian controlled vehicle) and P (moped) continue to be added automatically.
Category B+E: Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM towing trailers over 750kgs MAM
Category B+E allows vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM to be combined with trailers in excess of 750kgs MAM. In order to gain this entitlement new category B licence holders have to pass a further practical test for category B+E. There is no category B+E theory test. For driver licensing purposes there are no vehicle/trailer weight ratio limits for category B+E.

Ian how much does you trailer weigh?

Mr Fletcher · Post by **Mr Fletcher** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 8:56 pm

nice one lee that makes life a bit easier 8)

cheers

jason

Richf · Post by **Richf** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:01 am

Even so weight could be tight , my main car weighs 2100kgs (but can only tow 1800kgs) so with my Skyline (1400kgs) and a trailer weighs around 300-400kgs so 2100+1400+400 = 3900kgs so over the 3.5t maximum authorised mass

In fact even a large caravan could be tight , we had a 4 berth and it weighed 1250kgs many caravans are 1400kgs+ nowdays.

I dont know how someone could do a 5 day course on trailer towing , the Forces trained me to drive an Artic in 3 1/2 days with a test on the 4th day, did the same with coaches.

For that matter i was taught how to tow one of these in a morning!!!

steveVR6 · Post by **steveVR6** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:15 am

With my car loaded on trailer, spare wheels, fuel, tools and my (fat body) my total gross weight is 3860kg.

323ian · Post by **323ian** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:48 pm

I would say at a guess my trailer weighs 250KG and the Silvia weighs about a 1000KGS so i can pull it with a car up to two ton in theory.
May be a bit tight though.

Guess it pays to be safe and go through the test like you have done mate.

IWANT1 · Post by **IWANT1** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:11 pm

Guess it pays to be safe and go through the test like you have done mate.

That was my thought if the worst happened and i had the evo on the back i could loose thousands for the sake of a few hundred quid...

Just need to sort the tow car now