Rules changing for pre 1997 licence holders and learner drivers

Bloomin heck!

I wish the DVLA/VOSA or whoever would write to all drivers and tell them this important info.

As if it wasn't for people like you tiggs, we'd never know!!!!

Fancy us pre-1997's having to take the test and then having to wait YEARS before we can then accompany a 'learner' trailer/lorry driver. That's rubbish!
 
I was amazed that it hadn't been publicized anywhere else. I nearly didn't post it because I thought i must be the only one who didn't know. I thought H & H would have mentioned it.
 
Oh NO NO NO, they are really going ahead with this change
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Bloody hell, well that is my trailer up for sale then I suppose, really peed off
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ETS I knew it was in the pipeline and had been discussed, but I wasn't aware about the date it was starting.
 
Yes you can definitely still drive - just not take someone out who is learning if you haven't also passed the test. So only an issue if say you have children learning to drive that need accompanied.

Daft really, but there you go.
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Not just a child, anyone now aged 30 or under who has been towing happily with a pre 97 license holder on board! My OH is dreadful at towing but has pre 97, I am great at towing but cannot legally do it alone, and I don't want to give the DVLA more money!
 
this is really going to affect me
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im 22 and we have just bought a 7.5 ton lorry to upgrade from our 3.5 ton, my mum and stepdad were intending on driving it for me and that i would learn with them supervising me or an older friend but in reality now ill have to get my test done before april and im not sure if i will have the £££ or be ready to do that by then
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I'm in the same boat as Weezy. My mother is too nervous, but has the legality to tow, I am a post-97er, but am not nervous and am competent. Now I'll have to scrounge the £150 something......
 
So it's not actually affecting car and trailer drivers just drivers of vehicles over 3.5T (C1 category). Grandfather rights wont apply to sitting with someone in something over 3.5T.



[ QUOTE ]
If you are good at towing, just do the test, surely you won't need to do taining as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's all very well but some people can't afford to do the training AND the test. It works out at getting on for £1000 for both.
 
But if you are already towing and competant then you can just do the test.

personally I would rather everyone who towed/drove a lorry were competent, having seen the carnage resulting from an overturned trailer towed by a friends dad who had never towed before.

Think of the bigger picture, the safety of the horse and all other road users. You are driving a potentially letal weapon.

I am usually VERY anti government but I agree with this one.

When I started driving my lorry, I didn't need a test but I had already done some HGV training as part of my job. I don't have HGV licence though.
 
"But if you are already towing and competant then you can just do the test"

People being put forward for the test will need at least one training session. I'm sure lots of us would fail our driving test now if we went and did it even if we are more than competant drivers!

I'm dreading this. My mum is a wimp at towing but is legally allowed too. I on the other hand have a post 97 licence so have been happily going about with my mum on board and L plates.

If they couldnt change the rules for towing for those pre 97 then why back track for those of us who are stuck in towing limbo?

argh its not fair!!!!!
 
Nah, I won't bother doing my trailer test as I am saving up for a lorry, so no point in taking both, I am just going to have to sit tight and wait until the pennies have mounted up (2015?!) so that I can take my lorry test....only thing is I only have an auto licence over here, so I am going to have to do my manual test too - maybe I will just take up knitting instead
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Good job you posted tiggs - otherwise I would never had known!

Will the DVLA ever advertise this? Or am I supposed to be a mind reader
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Not happy
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Must admit it makes sense as theoretically a pre97 licence holder could accompany a post 97 licence holder neither of whom has ever driven an LGV or towed before and be both totally clueless, not suggesting this is any of you but for once it is a good idea. Although would be a good idea if they publicised it!

Must admit I did my B+E straight away even though my mum has grandfather rights and always comes with me because I just felt it was wise, also didn't realise you could drive on the motorway with L plates!
 
[ QUOTE ]
But if you are already towing and competant then you can just do the test.

personally I would rather everyone who towed/drove a lorry were competent, having seen the carnage resulting from an overturned trailer towed by a friends dad who had never towed before.

Think of the bigger picture, the safety of the horse and all other road users. You are driving a potentially letal weapon.

I am usually VERY anti government but I agree with this one.

When I started driving my lorry, I didn't need a test but I had already done some HGV training as part of my job. I don't have HGV licence though.

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely! I completely agree with you, I've seen some horrendous driving by some pre97 people with trailers. It amazes me but I am in limbo too as I have been told I'm competent driving a 7.5T lorry but need more practice just getting out there doing it to pass the test. I over think what I'm doing during the actual test. It would be the same I imagine pulling a trailer. The more I can get out there and do it the more it becomes second nature. I couldn't afford to pay for proper lessons just to get practice in - does that make sense?
 
Does anyone know the ruling of when you're able to supervise a learner?

Is it 3 years after you've passed, same as a car licence?

I passed my LGV- upto 7.5t a year ago- does that mean I can't supervise a driver on L plates for another 2 years?

Can't seem to find the info anywhere.

Thanks
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Thank you for posting . Claire always drives our lorry with us sitting by her as she is the best at driving it. Not sure what to do now , sell and buy a 3.5 ton or borrow some money to get her through the test. Just had our lorry plated yesterday and apart from a new exhaust [ which is expensive] everything was perfect, shame to sell it.
 
This is pretty rubbish news - I've just passed my towing test first time and I am sure thats because I was towing with L plates for months beforehand.
No-one with grandfather rights is going to take the test unless they want to become an instructor!

I would urge people to get in as much practice as possible before this new rule comes in.



ETS - It does only mention category C and D licenses though, whereas a car plus trailer combination is B+E?
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This is crap!

I failed my towing test last year as I had to pull forward 1 extra time in the reversing manouver (sp), I passed everything else with flying colours. I have been debating whether to buy a little lorry for a while but I guess this has answered it for me as there is no way OH will tow for me!

*Goes off to sulk*
 
Hang on a minute. When I took my test (pre 97) It was the test to drive anything up to 7.5 tonnes and tow a trailer. So I PASSED the relevant test.The only one on offer.No one can say I didnt pass a test to drive a 7-5 tonner because that is exactly what I did.This has nothing to do with grandfather rights.It is quite interesting haw cagey the DSA have been in their wording. I think they know they would loose a test case.
 
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