Another one of those Box or trailer and licence dilemas!!

[Georgie-]

I've read numerous things all over the internet and have come to the conclusion that running a 4x4 as my everyday car is going to be a very expensive in diesel as I do around 40 miles a day plus extra pottering at weekends. Also I'm not used to driving a big car except my dads VW caddy van so to expect myself to be able to tow by next spring and have passed the trailer test could be too hopeful for me!

Also with it being 2 big horsies it would have to be a big 4x4 not like a designer status car a real work horse which again for an every day car kind of puts me off.

I've also read that lorries can be safer when travelling longer distances...

So I've started looking at a little lorries I only have a standard car licence passed my test August 2009.. so what the hell does that entitle me to driver? Its all so confusing!

I've seen 7.5 ton boxes saying 'Can be driven on a car licence' surely thats not true!!

my budget is about £5000 - £6000 I know you don't get much for your money but its all just so mind boggling out there!!

Any advice or expeirence would be greatly appreciated!

x

 

[ROG]

7.5 tonne lorries can be driven by car drivers who passed their tests before 1997 as they were given the LGV C1 and B+E for FREE

Those who passed the car test after 1996 need to pass a test for C1 or B+E

A C1 vehicle is anything between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes GVW

A B vehicle is anything not over 3.5 tonnes GVW

You will not get two big horses in a 3.5 tonne horsebox van weight wise

You will not get two big horses in a trailer and be able to tow that on a B licence because the vehicle GVW added to the trailer MAM will be more than the 3500 kgs max allowed for B licence towing

So to conclude - you either need to pass the LGV C1 (or C) test which involves medical, theory tests etc or pass the B+E test which is just a practical test needing no medical or theory
You will already have the B+E provisional on the paper part of your current licence

 

[Georgie-]

Very clear thank you!!

Back to the drawing board then. Maybe I'll have to bite the bullet and just take my trailer test :/ I have acces to a free trailer so that keeps drawing my back to the 4x4 trailer idea!

I'm assuming I can practice with someone i.e dad who already has licence to tow, in the car (that I haven't bought yet) with me.

I'm also probably naively thinking that something like a Grand cherokee jeep could tow 2 horses with a combined weight of 1100kgs and one of the more basic models made by Cheval Liberte trailers.

Don't really want have to buy a work horse like an Izusu as the ones I've seen aren't the greatest inside with it being an every day car I will actually have to like it!

Sorry for the questions I just no nothing about it as there's so much info around I jusy want to enter into something knowing that what I'm doing is legal.

 

[ROG]

My expertise does not include knowledge of vehicles but centres on the legalities for each type as well as the licences required

With two large horses weighing 600 each and a trailer weighing 900 unladen would need a vehicle with a towing capacity of at least 2100 kgs

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 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
The next three can be in any order:-
VIDEO - Reversing Exercise - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up - 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

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. So 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