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THE RULES ON TOWING A CARAVAN OR TRAILER
Do You Have A Licence to Drive:
All drivers who passed a car test before 1 January 1997 retain their existing entitlement to tow trailers. This means they are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes. Described hereafter as MAM (Maximum Authorized Mass). This was previously known as gross trainweight. They also have entitlement for a minibus with a trailer over 750kgs.
If you passed your car driving test (category B) after the 1st January 1997, you are only entitled to tow a combined (car + trailer) weight of up to 4.25 tonnes MAM with a gross trailer weight of 750kgs.
However if the gross weight of your trailer is to exceed 750Kg (which is permitted) then your allowed MAM is reduced to 3.5 tonnes.
If this is the combination you choose then the gross trailer weight must not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle or the manufactures recommended max trailer weight.
For example: Your towing vehicle unladen weighs 1,700Kg therefore your trailer cannot weigh more loaded than 1,700Kg making a total of 3,400Kg. However you may find that this exceeds the trailer weight recommended by the vehicle's manufacturers and as soon as a driver and passengers get in the tow car, the MAM exceeds 3,500Kg
For instance: Our Nissan Almera has a maximum kerb weight of 1,253Kg yet the manufactures tell us our loaded trailer/caravan must weigh no more than 1,200Kg. A heavier car will tow more, however if the towing vehicle's gross weight (including occupants) is 2,500Kg the trailer must weigh no more than 1,000Kg loaded making the total 3,500Kg. Therefore getting the right tow vehicle and trailer combination can now be a very difficult thing to achieve, as many caravans are in excess of 1,300Kg unloaded.
If you wish to exceed any of the above weight limits, then there is no alternative for drivers with only a Category B licence to take and pass the additional test (B+E). If you have a licence including category B+E you can tow any trailer up to 3500kg, provided that you don't exceed the vehicles towing limit and the MAM of 8.25tonnes. Also the weight shown on the trailer plate is taken into account (the gross maximum).
With your B+E licence it is what you are actually towing that really matters. In other words, if the trailer plate shows a figure higher that the car's maximum towing limit that's ok provided that you are actually towing a lesser weight.
Your trailer must have a braking system if its gross weight exceeds 750kg or weighs more than half your car's kerbweight, in the case of our Almera that would be 626Kg. If fitted, brakes must work properly (regular servicing is essential) and a breakaway Cable must be fitted which would immediately apply the brakes should the trailer become separated from the towing vehicle while on the move. Unbraked trailers require a cable or chain which is attached to the back of your car to stop your outfit running away should it come unhitched from it's tractor.
Taking the test:
The B+E Towing Test is based on the Large Goods Vehicle driving test and includes an off-road reverse manoeuvre, a prompt controlled stop, uncoupling and coupling and driving on the road. The braking, reversing and uncoupling/coupling exercises will be conducted in an off road area.
All these manoeuvres and more are covered in the trailer towing training courses, just like our driving lessons - you are taken through every manoeuvre until you get it right.
The trailer you present for the test must have a minimum MAM of at least 1,000Kg
Some questions that may be asked on B+E test:
Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell the examiner how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Show the examiner how you would check that the direction indicators are working.
Tell the examiner the main safety factors involved in loading your vehicle.
Tell the examiner the main safety factors involved in securing a load on your vehicle
Show the examiner how you would check that your vehicle & trailer doors are secure
Physical checks should be made to ensure that windows, roof-lights and all doors, including cargo doors, are properly closed.
Tell the examiner how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
Show the examiner how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear.
Please remember that exceeding the towing weights you are permitted can result in very heavy fines and penalty points on your licence.
Are the towing laws about to change yet again?
Under a draft proposal the EU court in Brussels aims to harmonize European driving licenses.
This would mean that any new driver buying a caravan weighing more than 0.75 tonnes (the majority of modern vans) would also have to take a further practical driving test. Also in the proposals, those new drivers would have to undergo a minimum seven hours of training with a qualified instructor, before attempting a practical test pulling a 1,000Kg caravan.
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