New Towing Regs - Jan 2013

[Frankie Lawrence]

Why will you have to do it eventually. Nothing says or even hints at that. The more we accept with out argument money making legislation the more they will put on us. I would think dvla would be better off targeting all the illegal immigrants driving about with no licence or insurance.

 

Because were in an industry where towing happens virtually everyday and unless your lucky I'm sure everyone gets pulled over at somepoint in time. I can't be dealing with aggravation like that so 400 quid is little monney When it is effectively making me monney and others to. Plus that with points on a licence for "winging" it would put my already high insurance higher.

 

On another note though a close family friend is a builder has never had a licence and has driven for 40 years and never been questioned about it.

[Frankie Lawrence]

you're going to have to do it eventually stop moaning about it an do it ( not directed at you rob). QUOTE]

 

If thats directed at me, then i was not moaning, just expressing my opinions. Isn't that what this site is for?

And i will not have to do it ever, because i have got a HGV licence!

 

Yes it wa directed at you but also others but didnt mean it to sound like it did

 

And is good you don't have to do it. I though Of goung for hgv also but the way I read the gov site was you had to be 21 I know now that it's 18.

[Sciadopitys]

Yeah it changed to 18 recently. I think its a good thing. Irish lads use to be able to do it at 18, like guys in the forces! So i think its good the UK have lowered the age limit. However, I'm sure some people are bound to disagree.

[Frankie Lawrence]

Yeah it changed to 18 recently. I think its a good thing. Irish lads use to be able to do it at 18, like guys in the forces! So i think its good the UK have lowered the age limit. However, I'm sure some people are bound to disagree.

 

Tis a tricky one really i think any extra training helps in terms of driving. The bloke who done my trailer course was obviously a hgv teacher to and taught me a few things that benefitted my driving in general so young lads and lasses doing hgvs early could benefit but then the other side of the coin is that after potentially a year of driving they can jump into a rigid pass a test an be on the road...

[ROG.]

If you have a post 1997 license you have to do a trailer test anyway at the moment.

INCORRECT

 

If you past your test after 1997 and tow a trailer over 750kg and have not taken the additional test you are breaking the law and are not insured while doing so.

AND INCORRECT

 

A B licence holder can tow a trailer over 750 kgs as long as certain rules are met:-

The MAM of the trailer must not be more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle

The MAM of the trailer plus the GVW of the towing vehicle must not add up to more than 3500 kgs

 

Simple really

[ROG.]

Having just a B licence and then passing a higher +E category test such as C+E for example will upgrade that B licence to B+E BUT .....

That B+E will only be there for as long as the medical covering the higher category remains current - the moment the medical is not renewed then that B+E covered by the higher category is lost until the medical is renewed

 

Passing the B+E test is a one off financial outlay and will remain current for as long as the B licence is valid so basically for life

 

In my area many seem to pass the B+E test first time for an all inclusive price of £650 which is 3 half days and test on day 3

[Sciadopitys]

Tis a tricky one really i think any extra training helps in terms of driving. The bloke who done my trailer course was obviously a hgv teacher to and taught me a few things that benefitted my driving in general so young lads and lasses doing hgvs early could benefit but then the other side of the coin is that after potentially a year of driving they can jump into a rigid pass a test an be on the road...

 

I know what your getting at, BUT

As it was, when the age was 21 for HGV's, whats to stop someone aged 21 who has never driven any vehicle before, passing three intensive tests in a row (CAR, Rigid, Artic) and then 3 weeks after their 21st birthday driving a 44tonne artic across Europe for a job?

 

As unlikely as this is to actually happen, you get my point!

[ROG.]

I know what your getting at, BUT

As it was, when the age was 21 for HGV's, whats to stop someone aged 21 who has never driven any vehicle before, passing three intensive tests in a row (CAR, Rigid, Artic) and then 3 weeks after their 21st birthday driving a 44tonne artic across Europe for a job?

 

As unlikely as this is to actually happen, you get my point!

Or in the 80s - no licence and take a double L plate test in an artic at age 21

 

The instructors used to run for the hills if their boss said they got one of those!!

[Sciadopitys]

Fair point that bout the medical ROG. Never even thought of that!

[gensetsteve]

Having just a B licence and then passing a higher +E category test such as C+E for example will upgrade that B licence to B+E BUT .....

That B+E will only be there for as long as the medical covering the higher category remains current - the moment the medical is not renewed then that B+E covered by the higher category is lost until the medical is renewed

 

Passing the B+E test is a one off financial outlay and will remain current for as long as the B licence is valid so basically for life

 

In my area many seem to pass the B+E test first time for an all inclusive price of £650 which is 3 half days and test on day 3

 

Ok ROG I am not up on all this guff, do you train people to pass their trailer test. If so you can tell us for certain. I passed my car driving test in 1986 and have entitlement to drive B+E up to 3500kg with heavy trailer but also

I have c1 +E vehicles between 3500kg and 7500kg with a trailer over 750kg not exceeding 12000kg