learning to drive advice needed please!

[tree man john]

currently in the process of learning to drive and i was looking at getting 7.5 ton and trailer what catagories on the dvla are they as im confused of how all the catagories work any feedback would be much appriciated please

[treequip]

When you pass you will be able to drive a vehicle of 3500kg and tow a maximum of 750kg

 

A 7500kg vehicle requires another test and towing anything over 750kg will need a trailer test

[Daniël Bos]

7.5 ton and trailer is a waste of money.

7.5t is C1, a diluted version of a proper lorry license C.

C1 training will cost you just as much, and the test is just the same as C. The only reason people take C1 is for ambulance crews, who get a C1 test and special training.

 

to tow a trailer over 750kg you'll need an E. B+E means car and trailer, C1+E means light truck and trailer, C+E means anything upto (and including)Artic.

 

The catch with the +E is that although C is no more expensive then C1, wich is not much more then B, to get C+E costs a lot more than B+E.

[tree man john]

Cheers guys for the heads up if I got hgv would that mean I could drive anything so I would not have to get the rest apart from normal liscense

[mikecotterill]

Don't forget you have to get c the get c+e, you can't just go straight for c+e.

[PeteB]

A driving license is the cheapest and one one of the best qualifications that money can buy. It is one of lifes door opener. Jobs, holiday, fun and day-to-day life! Don't loose it or abuse it!

[treequip]

7.5 ton and trailer is a waste of money.

7.5t is C1, a diluted version of a proper lorry license C.

 

Well I can see where you might think that but you seem to be coming at this from the point of view of paying yourself.

 

If you look at it from an employer’s view the sub category allows your employee to be effective whilst less inclined to look for a job driving for a living.

[Justme]

When you pass you will be able to drive a vehicle of 3500kg and tow a maximum of 750kg

 

 

Not quite.

 

You could have a trailer & car combo that has a total gross train weight of less than 3500kg as long as the trailer loaded weighs less than 50% of the tow car unloaded.

 

So a car that has a kerb weight of 2000kg (and a gross plated weight of under 2500kg) can tow a trailer with a plated weight of 1000kg all on a post 97 non trailer car licence.

[SAM66S]

Not quite.

 

You could have a trailer & car combo that has a total gross train weight of less than 3500kg as long as the trailer loaded weighs less than 50% of the tow car unloaded.

 

So a car that has a kerb weight of 2000kg (and a gross plated weight of under 2500kg) can tow a trailer with a plated weight of 1000kg all on a post 97 non trailer car licence.

 

Are you sure about that??

[Justme]

Are you sure about that??

 

Yes, very sure

(apart from the 50% bit, even if it actually works out to that in practice anyway)

 

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

 

From HERE

 

So with a car of 1500kg unladen & 2000kg MAM you can have a trailer of 1500kg MAM.

Edited June 17, 2011 by Justme