Those who tow without the appropriate license!!

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trickivicki

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Drive me loopy!!!

I know several people who are STILL towing without the B+E, they can't plead ignorance either.

It just isn't fair, I went to considerable effort and expense to be legal (I am glad I did, as I am far more competent trailer driver than had I just 'winged' it)!!!

Does anybody know the consequence if you get pulled over and found to be illegal?

V x

(whinge fest over!!!)
 
Same as driving a car without a car licence I'd assume. Plenty of people do that too. I think not having a licence invalidates any insurance, which means the vehicle can be seized. Not totally sure though.
 
I would be very surprised if they were within the rules (if they were, I would have been which makes me even more grumpy!!) large horse (sometime 2) and 511 size trailer.
 
Are they towing alone? Its legal to tow with an older person who doesnt need the B+E. I did this with my mum while i was practising for my B+E
 
trickivicki said:
I would be very surprised if they were within the rules (if they were, I would have been which makes me even more grumpy!!) large horse (sometime 2) and 511 size trailer.
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One horse could esily be within B licence towing rules with the right vehicle and trailer (including a downplated 511 - just) but two average sized horses would be a no no
 
ROG said:
One horse could esily be within B licence towing rules with the right vehicle and trailer (including a downplated 511 - just) but two average sized horses would be a no no
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We are talking a big eventer and a 4x4 a little smaller than my santa fe.

Bugger!!! I could have gotten away with the test
 
If a B licence holder is towing a B+E set up alone then they can get done for driving without L plates and without a supervising driver present

As all B licence holders have provisional B+E then that would be it

They would not be allowed to continue


How individual insurers view it is up to them
 
I was just hoping to find out in more detail the actual consequences and have a chat with them to make them realise that it is worthwhile!
 
As ROG said... Failing that, say nothing and get your local bobby out...!

Does annoy me. I don't know personally anyone who's ever been stopped in a box or trailer but know it happens. And when you're shelling out 120 odd quid for the test, plus probably more for training, why shouldn't they?
 
trickivicki said:
We are talking a big eventer and a 4x4 a little smaller than my santa fe.

Bugger!!! I could have gotten away with the test
Click to expand...

Quick legal B licence towing set up =

Nissan X trail (4X4) with these specifications/dimensions
Unladen/kerb = 1515
GVW = 2050
Towing = 2000
Max trailer plated MAM = 1450 kgs

IFOR HB403
Unladen = 767
MAM = 1600 but downplated to 1450

Max load/horse = 683 kgs
 
ROG said:
Quick legal B licence towing set up =

Nissan X trail (4X4) with these specifications/dimensions
Unladen/kerb = 1515
GVW = 2050
Towing = 2000
Max trailer plated MAM = 1450 kgs
Click to expand...

In that case a 511 with one horse isn't 'easily' within it, an average 'horse' would be 500Kg, and the 511 is 1000Kg, so over 1450Kgs and that's without tack, water etc....... agree a 'small' horse you'd be within the limit. Unless I misunderstood you? Because don't forget the train weight must not exceed 3.5 tonnes....

OP those doing it illegally invalidate their insurance as they are effectively driving without a licence. So are likely to be suspectible to the same charges as driving without insurance and without a licence.
 
JoBo said:
A girl on my yard tows illegally all the time, but what can you say.
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Depends how much you believe that right should be done and are prepared to take any consequences no matter what

I would say something in a heartbeat

I would say to her that I believe she is towing illegally and possibly without the insurers knowledge and if she cannot convince me otherwise then I will call the law to have her checked out - but thats me
 
competitiondiva said:
In that case a 511 with one horse isn't 'easily' within it, an average 'horse' would be 500Kg, and the 511 is 1000Kg, so over 1450Kgs and that's without tack, water etc....... agree a 'small' horse you'd be within the limit. Unless I misunderstood you? Because don't forget the train weight must not exceed 3.5 tonnes....

OP those doing it illegally invalidate their insurance as they are effectively driving without a licence. So are likely to be suspectible to the same charges as driving without insurance and without a licence.
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Your are spot on with your figures but not with the licence bit as I explained earlier

It depends on the insurer as to whether they consider their clients insurance covers them for towing with the vehicle as most policies do not state it either way
 
Girlracer said:
ROG - would this set-up need a B or B+E licence?

Nissan Terrano 2.7 TD (the 3 door short version)
With a Rice trailer (like this one - http://www.horsetrader.snequestrian.com/classifieds/pictures/listings/4697_18.jpg)

And one 500 KG horse.

I don't tow illegally, i have someone else to drive or L plates. Was hoping to sell these two and get a lorry though to be honest.
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I would just do your test (its really really not as hard as people say!!!) and use what you have, it is far cheaper in the long run (I had a little lorry before going for trailer and car!) and easier/ more secure at shows as you can just lock everything in the car, I love towing :)
 
Sorry Rog three questions!

1- Can you tow (passed in Feb 97 :rolleyes:) as long as weight is under 3.5 tons? Including car/trailer/horse etc?

2- Can you drive with L plates under supervision on the motorway?

3- Is your towing weight restricted whilst using L plates?
 
I did my B+E a few years ago and i believe all 2 horse trailers need it. The rules are based on what it COULD carry.

I know people who tow without a licence, and i've made my feelings clear. What if they had a accident and someone died? Not only would they not be insured and they would lose the horse, car and trailer, they could be liable for death caused. Scary to think about really. They wouldn't dream of getting in a car without a car licence or insurance and that is effectively what they are doing.
 
Girlracer said:
ROG - would this set-up need a B or B+E licence?

Nissan Terrano 2.7 TD (the 3 door short version)
With a Rice trailer (like this one - http://www.horsetrader.snequestrian.com/classifieds/pictures/listings/4697_18.jpg)

And one 500 KG horse.

I don't tow illegally, i have someone else to drive or L plates. Was hoping to sell these two and get a lorry though to be honest.
Click to expand...
I usually answer these queries in the HHO TOWING CLINIC but as this is a rant thread :D then I dont suppose the OP will mind ....
hope this is the right model ??
kerb 1730
GVW 2300
towing 2800

The max MAM for the rice would need to be no more than 1200
Assuming it weighs 800 unladen then that leaves only 400 for the load/horse
 
Bigbenji said:
Sorry Rog three questions!

1- Can you tow (passed in Feb 97 :rolleyes:) as long as weight is under 3.5 tons? Including car/trailer/horse etc?

2- Can you drive with L plates under supervision on the motorway?

3- Is your towing weight restricted whilst using L plates?
Click to expand...
1 - the vehicle GVW added to the trailer MAM must not be more than 3500 kgs

2 - yes - only B learners are restricted (and thats daft IMO)

3 - no (as long as no plated weights or towing capacity is exceeded)
 
ROG said:
I usually answer these queries in the HHO TOWING CLINIC but as this is a rant thread :D then I dont suppose the OP will mind ....
hope this is the right model ??
kerb 1730
GVW 2300
towing 2800

The max MAM for the rice would need to be no more than 1200
Assuming it weighs 800 unladen then that leaves only 400 for the load/horse
Click to expand...

Feel free :)

(although I am now pretty certain I would have been legal using my set up without the license BUMMER!!! But it meant that when I had to tow a 17.2 sedated irish draft in a borrowed HUGE trailer to the vets in the middle of the night for emergency colic surgery the only thing I had to think about was getting there in one piece- would have hated to make the decision of breaking the law or saving the horses life!)
 
ROG said:
I usually answer these queries in the HHO TOWING CLINIC but as this is a rant thread :D then I dont suppose the OP will mind ....
hope this is the right model ??
kerb 1730
GVW 2300
towing 2800

The max MAM for the rice would need to be no more than 1200
Assuming it weighs 800 unladen then that leaves only 400 for the load/horse
Click to expand...

No Rice trailer will weigh less that 1000kgs. They are heavy.
 
ROG- you should change your name to god! Thanks. I'm actually saving up to do my HGV early next year then upgrade to a horsebox so was wondering about doing the trailer test for this summer.

One more thing, sorry, do you know the weight of a Jeep patriot & Inderspension? (very light trailer)
 
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