Towing question

[Philmypower]

We have a new lad starting and I've been told if I put L plates on he can tow if I'm in the passenger seat is this correct? He holds B but not B+E.

Thanks in advance

[Richard 1234]

Don't think so but may be wrong.

Why would it help you if you've got to be in there anyway?

[frank j]

We have a new lad starting and I've been told if I put L plates on he can tow if I'm in the passenger seat is this correct? He holds B but not B+E.

Thanks in advance

 

I am in the process of taking my towing test my instructor told me if the passenger has past there test before 1997 or has already got there towing licence I can tow and also to check that your insurance covers you.

[ROG.]

I hope this info will help .....

 

SUPERVISING A B+E LEARNER

In April 2010 new rules were introduced for those supervising certain learner drivers but they only affected those supervising VOCATIONAL categories such as C1 C1+E D1 & D1+E where the supervising driver had those categories given to them for free when they passed a pre 1997 car test.

They do not affect those with a pre 1997 B+E licence who wish to supervise a B+E learner.

 

All B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence and can tow an empty or loaded trailer on all roads including motorways.

 

The usual rules apply when a learner is driving -

The supervising driver must be aged over 21

The supervising driver must have held a B+E licence for at least 3 years

L plates must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and the rear of the trailer

Correct insurance for a B+E learner

The supervising driver does not need to be insured unless they are driving

 

The B+E test

No medical or theory test required

Read a number plate from a certain distance

VIDEO - Show Me Tell Me Questions - usually 5 asked

= [ame]

[/ame]

The next three can be in any order:-

VIDEO - Reversing Exercise = B+E Trailer reversing excercise videos - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds

DSA REVERSING TEST AREA DIAGRAM = https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/68791/LGV_PCV_BE_manoeuvring_exercise_area_diagram.pdf

VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up = [ame]

[/ame] - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds

One hour road drive - includes the independent drive and is done virtually the same as the basic car test

 

The trailer must now be loaded with 600 kgs of sand bags or a 1000 kgs water IBC for the test so most companies are now training with that weight in the trailer = https://www.gov.uk/new-laden-testing-rules-for-driving-test-vehicles

 

Well explained here = Trailer Training Wales taking the B+E Test

 

DISCLAIMER - I have no connection to any companies which may be featured in those videos

 

This is interesting BUT NOT RECOMMENDED – a B licence towing set up can be presented for the B+E test but L plates must be used for the test that means you can train yourself, go to test by yourself, fit L plates, do the test, then, pass or fail, remove L plates and drive away by yourself.

DSA B+E TEST AND VEHICLE/TRAILER REQUIREMENTS = http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_4022521

Remember that the required 600 kgs of sand bags or 1 x 1000 IBC filled with water will be required in the trailer and the load must be secure.

 

These simple rules apply to all B and B+E category drivers no matter when the test was passed

 

B category

Vehicle not more than 3500 kg plated GVW

 

B category towing

A trailer of 750 kg max plated MAM may be towed by a B category vehicle making a possible total plated MAM of 4250 kg

If a trailer over 750 kg plated MAM is towed by a B category vehicle then the plated GVW of the vehicle added to the plated MAM of the trailer (MTPLM of a caravan) must not total more than 3500 kg

 

B+E category

Towing a trailer with a B category vehicle where the trailer is not over 3500 kg plated MAM

 

To tow a trailer over 3500 kg plated MAM the category needed is C1+E

 

Below goes deeper into the rules......

 

Trailer towing:- B and B+E licence rules explained

 

Licensing laws are based on plated weights not actual weights.

 

GVW, MAM or MTPLM means maximum permissible legal weight something can weigh when fully loaded.

 

The towing vehicle GVW can be obtained from the V5 registered keepers form listed as maximum permissible mass, the handbook, or a plate somewhere on the vehicle – usually under bonnet or hidden in a door frame – the top figure is always the GVW.

 

Towing capacity (manufacturer actual towing weight limit) – not legally enforceable in the RTA but based on safety and engine power under certain conditions and can be prosecuted for excess under C&U reg 100

 

GTW - the max legal weight the vehicle and trailer can ACTUALLY weigh when added together. This does not refer to the total of the vehicle GWV and trailer MAM weights.

In most cases, the GVW added to the towing capacity will also be the GTW.

 

The trailer info can be obtained from a plate on the trailer, by calling the trailer manufacturer, or on the internet. If no plate then the total of the TYRE LOAD RATINGS Tyre Load Rating | Blackcircles.com will be used by the authorities to determine the MAM to a maximum of 3500 even if the total is more than that.

 

There is no law or rule which states that the towing capacity of a vehicle must be able to cope with the plated MAM of a trailer but there are plenty of internet myths on this.

 

The only legally recognised way to down plate a trailer of 3500 kgs MAM or less is to contact the trailer manufacturer usually at very little cost.

 

The laws/rules are these for both B+E & B licence towing.

The GVW of the vehicle must not be exceeded (RTA law)

The GTW must not be exceeded (RTA law)

The plated MAM of the trailer must not be exceeded (RTA law).

The towing capacity should not be exceeded (can be prosecutable under C&U regulation 100).

The lower of the trailer MAM or the towing capacity must/should be used as the maximum actual weight when loaded.

 

For B licence towing with a trailer over 750 kgs MAM.

The vehicle GVW added to the trailer MAM must not exceed 3500 kg (RTA law)

 

EXAMPLE

Vehicle

GVW 2050 kg

Towing capacity 1700 kg

GTW 3750 kg

 

Trailer

Un-laden/empty 700 kg

MAM 2000 kg

 

For B+E licence towing the trailer can be loaded with 1000 kgs because 1000+700=1700 kg which is the towing capacity.

 

For B licence towing the trailer would need down plating from 2000 kgs to a maximum of 1450 kg.

The reason is that 1450+2050=3500 which is the maximum allowed for B licence towing.

The trailer can be loaded with 750 kg because 750+700=1450 kg which is the trailer MAM.

 

Caravan weights work on a slightly different system as they take into account the recommended (not legal) 85% towing advice.

[Philmypower]

Just what I was after. Thanks for taking the time to respond