for those who have taken their trailer test...

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chestnuttyy

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Thinking about doing mine (as opposed to buying a 3.5T box and having two vehicles to maintain).

Few ??s:

  • How much did it cost you in total (lessons and test)?
  • Is the test particularly hard to pass?
  • did you go for an intense course or a few lessons here and there then do the test when you felt ready?

Any help much apreciated!!
 
That all depends on what experience you have with a trailer now!

I was pretty adept with a trailer but didn't want to go into a test blind, so booked a morning course followed in the afternoon by the test, I took a gamble but it paid off, cost me I think £150 for the morning plus the test fee of £115, from memory.
 
I have done it but employer at the time paid for it so not sure how much it was.
As to how hard it is I think it depends what kind of driver you are and how long since u did your test. It takes about an hour and a half and is basically the HGV test with a trailer instead.
A good tip is to mark out the 'reverse' at home and practice till u can do it blindfolded.
Definitely worth getting an intensive course, I did 3 days with test on the third day afternoon and it was well worth it - not sure I would have got it without! It's thedeivibg around n observations/mirrors etc that catch most people out.
Definitely worth doing though if you can. I only did it because it was on offer to me but I use it all the time now, so glad I did it.
Good luck if u go ahead!
 
competitiondiva said:
That all depends on what experience you have with a trailer now!

I was pretty adept with a trailer but didn't want to go into a test blind, so booked a morning course followed in the afternoon by the test, I took a gamble but it paid off, cost me I think £150 for the morning plus the test fee of £115, from memory.
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lol ;) zero experience thus far!!
 
One question I did have... my OH has his trailer licence... is he able to take me out to practice towing? Also, how do you go about getting a provisional licence?

I'm a bit clueless here, don't know anyone who has done the test!
 
chestnuttyy said:
One question I did have... my OH has his trailer licence... is he able to take me out to practice towing? Also, how do you go about getting a provisional licence?

I'm a bit clueless here, don't know anyone who has done the test!
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grandparents rights still apply to towing on a provisional so if OH passed his test before jan 97 then yes, if not I don't believe so but could be wrong????

Your licence should already have provisional entitlement on it, but you will need to notify your insurers that you will be doing this.
 
competitiondiva said:
grandparents rights still apply to towing on a provisional so if OH passed his test before jan 97 then yes, if not I don't believe so but could be wrong????

Your licence should already have provisional entitlement on it, but you will need to notify your insurers that you will be doing this.
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I think this is true too FWIW

I think I spent about £800 in the end. Never towed before, didn't have a trailer or a 4x4 or anything. So that was all my lessons and two tests cos I failed first time!
 
If he has his B+E and has had it for 2 or more years, then yes he would be legal to take you out on L plates.

Grandparent rights no longer apply to taking anyone out, even on L plates. They are allowed to tow, but are not allowed to supervise towing. The law changed as of 2010.

I recently failed my trailer test - screwed up the reversing first thing and then chucked in the towel without doing the rest. I can reverse perfectly in non-test conditions, it just got to me. The instructor didn't help though, I didn't really get on with her, so am now looking for someone else to brush up and take the test with.

The person I did the initial training with charged £150 for 3 hours, £170 for 4 hours.
 
I did a crash course and test and it cost a total of around £700 inc test. The actual test is much like your normal driving test except with extra bits like coupling up, reversing through cones and into a specified area, I didn't find it that difficult after the crash course and I'm happy that I did it now :)
 
teazle said:
Grandparent rights no longer apply to taking anyone out, even on L plates. They are allowed to tow, but are not allowed to supervise towing. The law changed as of 2010.

.
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Grandparents rights do still apply to towing, not however for lgv/class 1 or whatever you call it for driving vehicles over 3.5 tonnes!
 
teazle said:
If he has his B+E and has had it for 2 or more years, then yes he would be legal to take you out on L plates.

Grandparent rights no longer apply to taking anyone out, even on L plates. They are allowed to tow, but are not allowed to supervise towing. The law changed as of 2010.

I recently failed my trailer test - screwed up the reversing first thing and then chucked in the towel without doing the rest. I can reverse perfectly in non-test conditions, it just got to me. The instructor didn't help though, I didn't really get on with her, so am now looking for someone else to brush up and take the test with.

The person I did the initial training with charged £150 for 3 hours, £170 for 4 hours.
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My OH passed his trailer test in 2000 so I could do a fair bit of practicing with him. I take it I would just put L plates on the car and trailer? Would I notify my car insurer or take out separate trailer insurance?
 
Notify the insurer of the car to let them know - there might be a slight increase in premium but it's not very much, and often nothing at all. Then L plates on and away you go.
 
chestnuttyy said:
My OH passed his trailer test in 2000 so I could do a fair bit of practicing with him. I take it I would just put L plates on the car and trailer? Would I notify my car insurer or take out separate trailer insurance?
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notify your car insurer. If you have or can have access to an area to practice reversing then do this, I did and made the manouvre smaller and tighter than I needed, so when it came to the test it was very easy!! Good luck with it.
 
fab!!

I was planning on gettin a 3.5T box, as I only have a small car at the min but I'm starting to think a 4x4 and trailer might be a better option in the long run... next step is to find an economical(ish) 4x4, as I have a hefty commute to work each day
 
I did a morning's tuition followed by the test. I'd never towed on the road but I was very confident at reversing. I was used to a tractor and roller so a proper car and a proper trailer was a doddle!
 
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