Driving - "Grandfather" rights -- ARRRRR

[supagran]

Help please? - just heard at work that in January 2013 the "grandfather rights" for people who currently tow a trailer and can also currently drive up to 7 1/2 tonnes are being revoked and we will need to take driving tests - can anyone confirm?

 

[LEC]

That rule has been in for ages............

I can sit with someone learning to tow as passed my trailer test but my father could not as never done a trailer test.

 

[Louise_88]

I thought it was something to do with medicals and not an actual test?

 

[galaxy]

Grandfather rights are still in place at the moment for trailers (b+e) but not for 7.5 tonners.

 

[ROG]

Help please? - just heard at work that in January 2013 the "grandfather rights" for people who currently tow a trailer and can also currently drive up to 7 1/2 tonnes are being revoked and we will need to take driving tests - can anyone confirm?

I was going to say BULLCRAP but as this is a horsey forum i will say HORSEMUCK

After Jan 2013 there will be some different rules for ...... wait for it ...... NEW DRIVERS

By new drivers it means for anyone who passes a test in a particular category after that date

That means a driver who passes B+E after that date will be under the new B+E rules but also be under the current B rules

NO CHANGE IN RULES FOR THOSE WITH THEIR CURRENT LICENCE CATEGORIES

 

[ROG]

That rule has been in for ages............

I can sit with someone learning to tow as passed my trailer test but my father could not as never done a trailer test.

INCORRECT -

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

 

[Jane_Lou]

I think there are two issues here - one is the right to sit next a leaner driver which is what Galaxy is talking about but I think Supergran is suggesting that us Oldies that drive our 7.5t trucks or tow trailers without having passed an additional test are losing that right - that is more worrying!

I have done a quick scan of the website and this is all I can find which suggests that we do keep our rights.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DG_201206

Cross posted with ROG

 

[supagran]

I was going to say BULLCRAP but as this is a horsey forum i will say HORSEMUCK

After Jan 2013 there will be some different rules for ...... wait for it ...... NEW DRIVERS

By new drivers it means for anyone who passes a test in a particular category after that date

That means a driver who passes B+E after that date will be under the new B+E rules but also be under the current B rules

NO CHANGE IN RULES FOR THOSE WITH THEIR CURRENT LICENCE CATEGORIES

Rog - I hate to disagree but the DirectGov website says: To tow heavier trailers after 19 January 2013, you'll need to follow the rules for new drivers?

 

[ROG]

Rog - I hate to disagree but the DirectGov website says: To tow heavier trailers after 19 January 2013, you'll need to follow the rules for new drivers?

LOL LOL LOL

Dont be embarassed cos I read it that way to start with as well so we can both claim to be numpties !!!!!!!!!!!!

It is very badly written by the DVLA plonkers

It clearly says ....

Existing driving licence holders

If you already have a driving licence, you'll keep your entitlements to drive the different types of vehicles shown on your driving licence.

If you want to drive or pass a test for additional vehicles on or after 19 January 2013, you'll come under the new rules.

 

[supagran]

Thanks Rog - the thought of taking another driving test at my age was terrifying. Our H&S Department at work (who are responsible for the driver training at our company) had also read it as being everyone will need to take a test to tow (our work trailers are over 2 tonnes each) so total weight is approx 5 tonnes. I'll show them this thread tomorrow.

What would we do without Rog!

 

[LowenKi]

ROG can I ask a quick Q pretty please?

My husband passed his B+E over four years ago, is he able to supervise me towing my trailer to help me learn? Specifically, what do I need to do to ensure that I have the 'correct insurance' - do I have to ring my insurance company? The car is insured in my name and I have trailer insurance through my Petplan Equine cover.

Many thanks!

 

[ROG]

ROG can I ask a quick Q pretty please?

My husband passed his B+E over four years ago, is he able to supervise me towing my trailer to help me learn? Specifically, what do I need to do to ensure that I have the 'correct insurance' - do I have to ring my insurance company? The car is insured in my name and I have trailer insurance through my Petplan Equine cover.

Many thanks!

Yup - just ring insurer to inform them - there is usually no extra cost

Also - hubby has over 3 years so thats ok to supervise you

Hubby does not have to be insured UNLESS he drives it

Call insurer, put hubby in car and L plates front/rear and off you go loaded onto motorways if you want to

 

[LowenKi]

Super thanks very much for clarifying!

Sort of irrelevant after next month as the trailer is going to be deplated so that it's legal for me to towe without a B+E, but it will be fun in the meantime to get some practise in!

Thank you

 

[Copperpot]

I passed my test in 1996 so I can continue to drive my 7.5 tonne badly then??!

 

[ROG]

I passed my test in 1996 so I can continue to drive my 7.5 tonne badly then??!

Nothing changes for you

 

[Daytona]

Grand father rights are totally unfair it's should be everyone doing trailer tests etc or no one..?!! That's my view anyway.

 

[ROG]

Super thanks very much for clarifying!

Sort of irrelevant after next month as the trailer is going to be deplated so that it's legal for me to towe without a B+E, but it will be fun in the meantime to get some practise in!

Thank you

If all the MAM/GVW/Kerb weights work out ok for B licence towing with a trailer over 1 tonne plated MAM then you could, with extra wing mirrors set up for a passenger/examiner, use that set up for the B+E test = IDEA?

If hubby remembers all that is required for the test then perhaps he can train you and you could pay him in kind !!!!!

 

[ROG]

Grand father rights are totally unfair it's should be everyone doing trailer tests etc or no one..?!! That's my view anyway.

That is the view of the EU parliament but to make a retrospective law is too difficult and would have the public in the EU up in arms

Can you imagine what those on this site would do if they were all suddenly told that they must pass a towing test to tow any trailer at all from the 1st Jan 2014 ?

 

[fidleyspromise]

Have to say, I don't mind those keeping their grandfather rights, as it means they can supervise me until I can afford my test so we still get to go out together competing.

 

[Copperpot]

The annoying thing is my OH is soooo much better at driving it than me as did HGV in the Army. Apparently it's not transferable thou. Would have to pay to do the test again.

 

[ROG]

The annoying thing is my OH is soooo much better at driving it than me as did HGV in the Army. Apparently it's not transferable thou. Would have to pay to do the test again.

EH !!

If the LGV test was passed in the forces under the DSA system then it is valid for civvy street

 

[Thistle]

I have grandfather rights and regularly drive a 7'5t. Daughter is now 21, am I able to supervise her with L plates and correct insurance.

 

[ROG]

I have grandfather rights and regularly drive a 7'5t. Daughter is now 21, am I able to supervise her with L plates and correct insurance.

You are NOT allowed to supervise if you only have a pre 1997 C1

You could have done when your daughter was aged 18 and have kept supervising her until 01/04/2010 when the law changed

 

[Joeyjojo]

Hi ROG can I ask a question too?

I'm hoping to do my trailer test in the next few months. I've got a Range Rover Sport to tow with, no trailer as yet, but was thinking of getting a herringbone style like the fautra or cheval liberty gold XL.

Would it be better for me to do my trailer test before the new rules? Given the car is 2788kg it seems like I'd be more than 3500kg with trailer and horses. Otherwise it looks like I might need to do a C1E. Although would that then also let me drive a 7.5t lorry?

 

[ROG]

Hi ROG can I ask a question too?

I'm hoping to do my trailer test in the next few months. I've got a Range Rover Sport to tow with, no trailer as yet, but was thinking of getting a herringbone style like the fautra or cheval liberty gold XL.

Would it be better for me to do my trailer test before the new rules? Given the car is 2788kg it seems like I'd be more than 3500kg with trailer and horses. Otherwise it looks like I might need to do a C1E. Although would that then also let me drive a 7.5t lorry?

For most it will make no difference whether the test is passed before or after jan 2013

The only difference for those that pass B+E after jan 2013 is that they will not be able to tow a trailer over 3500 kgs plated MAM with that category of licence

Trailers over 3500 kgs plated MAM come under different rules such as having to be seperately MOTd and have electronic/air brakes

 

[Copperpot]

Oooooo Rog is it!!! That would be fab!! I'm getting him to look into that today!

 

[ROG]

Oooooo Rog is it!!! That would be fab!! I'm getting him to look into that today!

Let me know what he says because I am interested in this ...

According to what I know, any LGV test passed in the forces gets put onto the licence ..... there is a possibility that if that was not presented to be put on the licence within two years of passing it then a restest is required because a pass certificate only lasts for 2 years

 

[measles]

Can I also check I am right in thinking that as a holder of a C (? former class 2), passed in January of this year, I can't take my soon to be 18yo son out after his birthday in our 7.5t? But I can when I've held the HGV (sorry you know what I mean!) for three years as I formerly drove our 7.5t on grandfathers rights?

 

[ROG]

Can I also check I am right in thinking that as a holder of a C (? former class 2), passed in January of this year, I can't take my soon to be 18yo son out after his birthday in our 7.5t? But I can when I've held the HGV (sorry you know what I mean!) for three years as I formerly drove our 7.5t on grandfathers rights?

You have that correct - the Class C gives you the right to be the supervising driver of either a C1 or C after holding that C for three years

The pre 1997 C1 gives no supervising rights at all since April 2010

The weird thing is that you now have 2 X C1s on your licence
One is covered by passing C
The other is when you got it free pre 1997

The first requires a medical every 5 years after age 45 and then every year from age 65

The second requires a medical to keep it every 3 years from age 70

 

[measles]

Thanks. Thought so which is a pest as harder for 18yo to pass C without some practise driving out with the concentrated test training.