B+E trailer test woes begin

I towed on the motorway, as far as i was concerned, i have a full driving licence that entitles me to drive on the motorway!
 
Just reading this makes me nervous! Really need to sit the test though as I don't think I could go another year of relying on people to be off to tow me places.
 
kirsty17 said:
Just reading this makes me nervous! Really need to sit the test though as I don't think I could go another year of relying on people to be off to tow me places.
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Don't be nervous - you can already drive

Its not the same as being a first time driver learner

The controls of the towing vehicle may be slightly different to what you are used to but a brake is a brake and a clutch is a clutch etc etc

The towing vehicle you use for training might be slightly larger than your normal vehicle but that would be no different from you driving a smart car and then a family saloon

On the road the trailer will generally follow the line of the towing vehicle and its only very tight turns that a difference requiring a LITTLE bit more room will be noticed

Get used to using side mirrors only right now by turning your rear view mirror so you cannot use it

Everytime you set off in your usual vehicle try practicing mirror, mirror, blindspot

Try playing the game that I like to play - NEVER let your car actually come to a STOP - don't always work but I always try to do it
 
Don't panic!

I got my test in April this year. Had 2 days training as was very lucky to have a friend with access to an RAF base and time to give me lessons on reversing.
Also I think most test centres get you to use your own car and borrow their trailer if you don't have one. Its also easier if you borrow a trailer as then you don't have to take someone with you to the training centre!

In light of that you would need to take with you a set of extra mirrors so the instructor can see behind and a number plate for the trailer.

For my test the S shaped reverse was done 1st which you are allowed to have 2 forward movements only then the hitch and unhitch are done on the return to the test centre after the drive.

The training centre I used had all sorts of things up their sleeves in order to make it easier for you - including markers to gauge how far was far enough into the box and using chalk to mark the ground so that you don't go to far back when you rehitch.

Its scary at the time especially as the test is sat at the HGV centre and is the HGV test. So lots of burky men and lorries about.

But well worth it. Am now out most weekends with the horse - its great!!!
 
Hi, you already have a provisional entitlement on your licence (paper bit), to complete the test you need to provide a vehicle with exterior mirrors to the instructor/friend can help and more importantly the examiner can see! You have a series of exercises to complete rather like your original driving test and to the same if not higher standard; the test is based on the HGV test reversing from one box to another at an angle (measured to suit your vehicle combi). Then a hitching and un-hitching exercise followed by an hour drive.

Format of the test will be Reversing exercise, followed by a one hour drive control should be of a good standard as with your car test using your mirrors more especially the left one (most drivers dont use this!!) remember the MSPSL Mirror Signal Position speed and then Look into where you are turning!!
Then on return to the test centre hitching and un hitching exercise

Job Done!!

There are courses out there to help you try to find one that lets you pay by the hour as most students dont need days of training and if you have a yard practice practice.

Hope this helps ;-) Andy
 
Good description of the test from Driving solutions one thing to add is the examiner doesn't sit in the vehicle for the reverse or unhitch/hitch manoeuvre, which for some is a little unnerving.
 
horse2green said:
Also I think most test centres get you to use your own car and borrow their trailer if you don't have one. Its also easier if you borrow a trailer as then you don't have to take someone with you to the training centre
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TEST CENTRES DO NOT HAVE TRAILERS TO BORROW FOR ANY DSA TESTS
 
That's not what I meant to say. I meant to say that the training centre will have a trailer you can borrow.
I used APEX training and found them to be very good!
And yes used my own car, however there are some training centres where you use theirs.

Find someone who owns a caravan who can loan you the extra mirrors needed as you don't need them after the test unless you plan on towing a caravan as the horse trailers are the same width as your car.

I was lucky in that I didn't need to buy any as my parents own said caravan.
 
It is true you can borrow trailers, however this can cause problems with insurance and who pays out in the event of a claim, if you are under instruction and you jack knif the trailer whos fault is it? by using a driving school and pro instructor they are trained and fully insured and know what to do if it all goes wrong!!

Im not saying you shouldnt practice with your own or a family member but always have help from an instructor.
A cost effective way of doing this is to do the training in pairs or even in a group of three, split the cost, the instructor gets paid the same hourly rate no matter what!!

so what we are saying is pay for 6 hours each and this would x 3 students give you all more than enough training, on a lesson we all know you spend over half on theory training, you can already drive!! Trailers are different but the driving in principle is the same.
 
well i have now spent a thousand pounds and failed twice:(:o:(:o

first time was stupid, I went too far back in the reverse and bumped the barrier. Second test I did the reverses etc perfectly, only got 2 minor errors on my drive - in Aberdeen in rush hour I might add:cool: However I got 2 majors:o first for not returning to the left hand lane on a section of dual carriageway in the centre of the city where i had passed a lorry that was stopped in the left. I knew we were turning right at the top which was in sight so thought there was no point in annoying the solid traffic by changing back left only to change back right again. Apparently this was wrong:(:o Also got a major for getting sucked into the flow of traffic going out on the dual carriageway to the airport and doing 40mph where it is still 30:o:o:o the examiner said i am an excellent driver too, to only get 2 minors:o

i feel i have put so much of my life into this, my days off have been used, Ive been exhausted from days training and i am now so skint I cant afford to do it again:(:(:( Gutted, feel as if Ive just paid a very expensive tax to the goverment.
 
blood_magik said:
oh bugger.. :( I was counting on putting L plates on my lorry and having my dad sit with me. better pass first time then.. no pressure
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The new rules do not allow a LGV C1 driver to supervise a LGV C1 learner unless the C1 supervising driver has passed the DSA C1 or C test

So if your dad has had a current LGV C licence for more than 3 years and you have the correct provisional entitlement he is legall to supervise you on a loaded or unladen LGV

Double check with the truck owners for permission and their insurers that they will cover it whilst a learner is driving with L plates
 
he has grandfather rights for the c cat so he won't be able to supervise me :(
thanks though.. I'll just have to pass my test first time so i can drive it back from preston
 
blood_magik said:
he has grandfather rights for the c cat so he won't be able to supervise me :(
thanks though.. I'll just have to pass my test first time so i can drive it back from preston
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HE CAN supervise you if has a current LGV C licence - even if he has had it for the past 30 years or the past 3 years

You did say C and not C1

He must have passed a DSA HGV/LGV test to get a HGV Class 2/LGV C at some time in the past if he has LGV C now
 
blood_magik said:
ahh.. that's good news then. thanks :D
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You're welcome

Just make certain that the legal aspects such as permission and insurance are covered for a learner - your dad can ask his boss about that
sorry - its your lorry - DOH!!
Permission no problem as you can say yes to yourself - LOL
Insurance ...... check with your insurer
 
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Don't forget folks that you only need the test if your vehicle, trailer and horse combined weigh more than 3.5t.
My 4x4 weighs 1700kg, The trailer just under a tonne. So that allows 800kg for the horse. So most people would be ok to tow one horse as long as its not a heavy shire or very over weight cob.
Might be worth weighing your car, horse & trailer if you only want to tow one horse at a time. I failed my trailer test and didn't realise this until a driving instructor friend told me.
 
lastchancer said:
Don't forget folks that you only need the test if your vehicle, trailer and horse combined weigh more than 3.5t.
My 4x4 weighs 1700kg, The trailer just under a tonne. So that allows 800kg for the horse. So most people would be ok to tow one horse as long as its not a heavy shire or very over weight cob.
Might be worth weighing your car, horse & trailer if you only want to tow one horse at a time. I failed my trailer test and didn't realise this until a driving instructor friend told me.
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Ladylina83 said:
But I thought you HAD to be able to tow the mam!
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lastchancer said:
B**ger - looks like your right...
How annoying, now I too have too do my test again.
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Towing with just a B licence without having the B+E is fairly complicated

The total allowed is 3500 but that is the total MAM/GVW of the 4x4 and the trailer added together so if your 4x4 is listed in the handbook at say 2500 and the trailer is plated at 1700 then that total is 4200 = 700 too much

Towing on a B (not BE) also requires the unladen/empty weight of the towing vehicle to be the same or more than the plated MAM of the trailer

As in all towing, any listed /manufacturer towing capacity (actual weight being towed) must not be exceeded

Legal B licence towing example
Towing vehicle weighs 1500 unladen/empty
Towing vehicle has a max MAM/GVW of 2500
Towing capacity is listed as 1000
Trailer is plated at 1000
Trailer weighs 400 empty so can carry 600
 
It's a frigging nightmare !

On the plus side I managed to pull the damn thing for the first time ever yesterday - and we did some going backwards too !! :)
 
assuan said:
I love reading the posts on the trailer test, so many people haven't a clue about the rules and regs!
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The bigger problem on this issue is not the written rules but the ones that are made up by certain individuals and then believed by others

The biggest one of these made up rules is - the trailer MAM cannot exceed the towing capacity of the towing vehicle - which in turn gets people spending money to downplate their trailers un-necessarily - if they did then get caught overloading it they would get done twice instead of once - exceeding the towing limit and exceeding the trailer plated MAM
 
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