towing licence

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itsme123

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Do you need a licenece to tow a trailer with ANY livestock in? Have been having a debate about this one today and would appreicate it being proved once and for all.

I think yes you do, even if just towing a small trailer with sheep in (sheep trailer), but friend says not.

who is right?
 
Just been looking this up. You need a licenece to drive any lorry over 3.5 tonne. if you then drive a 3.5 tonne lorry and put a horse or two on you'll be illegal...

It's daft.
 
The restrictions depend on when you passed your driving test ( 01.01.97 is cut off date) and the Max Gross Weight of the trailer.

All horse trailers have a max gross weight in excess of the allowance. So if the sheep were in a very small lightweight one, you could tow it.

Assume you are referring to Driving Licence situation and not Welfare of Animals in Transport for DEFRA rules for commercial purposes , or livestock movement licences for certain species
 
There are two parts to this. If you passed your driving test 1997 onwards you need a trailer test to tow a trailer. For livestock if you are transporting them as part of an economic activity then you need an animal transport certificate of competence for that type of animal. There is an exemption for farmers using their own transport and transporting their own animals they can go up to 50km about 31 miles.
 
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if you then drive a 3.5 tonne lorry and put a horse or two on you'll be illegal...

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Lorry weights are given as Max Laden Weight.
A 3.5 tonne lorry as horsebox weighs about 2.3 to 2.6 tonnes, so allowing for one horse or two poinies to be carried wihti teh 3.5 tonnes max. Over that, and anyone driving it is illegalliyoverloaded.
 
This is from the British Racing Scool website

"For a journey under 8 hours which involves a vehicle carrying horses in connection with an economic activity (i.e. a business), the driver must hold a CET Certificate of Competence (Attendant & Driver). Any addition al passengers who have a role or responsibility with regards to the horse(s)' welfare during transport must also hold a Certificate of Competence (Attendant)."

http://www.brs.org.uk/Courses/Other_Cour...ransport_(CET)/

You may be alright if it is your own horse and you are going to local shows, but if you want to go accross to europe then they will not let you on the boat without it. My friend has it and while they were getting on the ferry, a top showjumper was turned away as he didn't have it. The exams are multiple choice and I know 6 people who all passed first time.
 
short answer is-, if you passed your driving test after 1997, then can only tow a trailer which weighs less than 750kg (laden). You will require an additional test to tow anything heavier.

If your trailer & sheep weigh less than that (which would be unlikely), then yes you can tow it. Usually there is a plate on the chassis of the trailer which will give you the unladen weight.
Fi x
 
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