How to tell if you need a towing licence

[Justme]

My dad drove in burma in 1944 for the RAF this qualified him for a full english licence for all categories when his provisional was converted to full in 1946, he never drove again till I gave him lessons in 1971 and never got the hang of it so gave up

 

Sort of, IIRC we all could claim grandfather rights for lorries by stating you had driven lorries commercially for more than 12 months prior to 1967, you may have needed to be over 21 at the time. Failing to claim meant you lost the entitlement.

 

Then the test was 2 axle to 16 tonnes (class 3??) Multi axle rigid to 26 tonne and artic to 28tonne (class 1). I didn't claim but think I was probably too young at the time (and hadn't driven more than bedford RL)

 

 

There was also a period of time after the 97 change that you could apply to keep the full 12000kg & not get the 8250kg if you were actually using it.

 

Just like when they did away with HGV 1 2 & 3 & made CE C C1E & C1.

 

Again not my area but I think this is right.

 

If you had a HGV 2 or 3 you would get a C but could get CE IF you had been towing with your 2 or 3.

[Craig.]

There was also a period of time after the 97 change that you could apply to keep the full 12000kg & not get the 8250kg if you were actually using it.

 

Just like when they did away with HGV 1 2 & 3 & made CE C C1E & C1.

 

Again not my area but I think this is right.

 

If you had a HGV 2 or 3 you would get a C but could get CE IF you had been towing with your 2 or 3.

 

Off topic, but a hgv class 3 gave a cat C, a hgv 2 gave a C+E with code 102 (I think) drawbar trailer only, hgv 1 gave a C+E

[openspaceman]

I thought that the recommendation was to keep people calm and quiet after a heart attack!

 

Thank you for the other information, so my mother obviously had not driven again after the war and would not have kept her rights, so she left this life still believing that she was a trucker!

 

The driver had been casevaced by ambulance, the young assistant could not drive the lorry, the miniskirted lady could.

[Justme]

Off topic, but a hgv class 3 gave a cat C, a hgv 2 gave a C+E with code 102 (I think) drawbar trailer only, hgv 1 gave a C+E

 

HGV 2 & 3 can be C.

 

HGV 2 & 3 can be CE restricted.

 

HGV 1 CE full

 

HGV 2 was still ridged just more weight / axles.

[Gary Prentice]

I did my B + E a few years back and I had been towing heavy trailers daily for years before (boats and agri equipment). I would have classed myself as a very competent tow'er but it was worth doing a days training before the test. They don't necessarily teach you to use a trailer, they teach you how to pass a test to show you can tow a trailer. Saying the right thing, making it obvious you are checking the right thing, etc.

 

I actually found the reversing manoeurve a bit tricky. You need to reverse in to coned area adjacent to you. I, as many of us, are constantly reversing chipper and trailers up and down drives, 3 point turning a trailer on tight roads, etc but found this a move one I wasn't comfy with. To be fair I think it was the lack of objects around me that made it more difficult. I've done the same thing reversing up a lane way but without the banks/hedges you can't quite tell you are on track.

 

I did a tractor test, while working for an LA, and realised watching others that by simply adjusting the mirrors I'd be able to actually see the traffic cones:thumbup1:

[SWB58]

Slightly off topic but sort of connected, maybe you can point me in the right direction for an answer -

 

What is the position with regards vintage kit where a towing or carrying capacity is not stated?

[Benny360]

handy info that, thanks mate! Although when I called up the dvla about trailer weights they

told me that if the total maximum legal weight of the car (MAM) & trailer (MAM or MLPM) total less than 3500kg it would still be illegal if the trailer weighed more than 750kg.

Confused!

[Countryboy]

And when you reach the ripe age of 70 you have to have a medical and eye test every 3 years to keep your towing rights

[Lowestoft Firewood]

I was told by a traffic cop that as long as the trailer and vehicle combined are less than 3500kg then you are fine regardless of your age or the trailer weight - I was 18 when he told me this and havent had the opportunity to put it to the test yet with another copper...

[Justme]

handy info that, thanks mate! Although when I called up the dvla about trailer weights they

told me that if the total maximum legal weight of the car (MAM) & trailer (MAM or MLPM) total less than 3500kg it would still be illegal if the trailer weighed more than 750kg.

Confused!

 

 

Which is exactly the result IF you answer the 3 questions. Dont look at them in isolation ALL 3 answers must be YES to need the test.

 

You can EITHER

 

tow 750kg

OR

Combined mass of 3500kg.