Towing Licensing Rules Explained

[stevie m]

Rules affecting driving licenses changed on January 1st 1997. The rules affect new Drivers passing a car-driving test after that date. Here are some questions which may help. To be really accurate people should check with the relevant Government bodies listed below for absolute clarification.

 

I passed my car driving test after 1st January '97

 

The driving license will show entitlement to drive vehicles in Category B - this is a vehicle with up to 8 passenger seats (Car to People Carrier) or a goods vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight (Transit size).

 

 

 

Am I able to tow a trailer?

 

Yes, but the combined mass of the trailer and the towing vehicle must not exceed 3500kgs or if the towing vehicle has a Maximum Authorized Mass of 3500kgs the trailer must not be more than 750kgs - this is probably a small camping type trailer.

 

 

 

My caravan/trailer weighs more than 750kg will I be able tow it?

 

Yes, but this is where you need to find the maximum towing capability of your vehicle and it's Unladen Weight (ULW) - the rules say that a trailer of more than 750kgs can be towed providing the trailers' maximum weight does not exceed the ULW of the towing vehicle and that the total combined vehicle and trailer doesn't exceed 3.5 tonnes. E.g. Our Peugeot 405 estate has an unladen weight of 1210kgs and could legally tow a trailer up to 1210kgs gross weight (with the Gross Train Weight still being less than 3.5 tonne). The manual for the vehicle actually specifies maximum trailer weights and is probably the best reference for this type of combination.

 

 

 

If your combination goes over 3.5 tonnes the driver will need Category B+E as a minimum.

 

 

With B+E on your license, your vehicle and trailer can be over 3.5 tonnes. To work out how heavy you will need to find the manual or the Vehicle Identification Plate.

Edited February 13, 2009 by stevie m

[mk2vr6]

I drive an ugly urine coloured volvo

 

 

WELL BAD LUCK! Theres not a lot we can do for you, we recomend contacting a help group, some of these are abe to help you in more ways that one! take SAGA for example, cheaper insurance for the blind and incontinent driver that spends the majority of their time on the road doing 50mph in the middle lane of the motorway in total disregaurd for other road users wether they are dragging a plastic shed or not

you could also try spec savers they do a wonderfull two for one offer! you could get a pair especially for driving and leave them at home when you go out in the car, just remember to mutter sorry mate I didnt see you to anyone you pull out on or hit or knock down on the zebra crossing and then promptly mess your pants and babble on and on about how the germans ruined your life and took away the best years of your life in a prison camp just outside berlin

hope these suggestion go to help you in some small way? :16: