Towing Question

[Lisa Morrison]

Hi, I'm looking to sit my b+e test and have lessons lined up for the next couple of months but would like to do a bit of practice at home. I'm not insured on a vehicle with a tow bar but can borrow my partners. I will obviously need to get insurance for his vehicle but wondered what other things I need to get. Do I need L plates? The trailer is currently uninsured so does anyone have any recommendations on where to get this or can this be included in normal vehicle insurance? Any comments/suggestions would be gratefully received because I haven't got a clue about the legal side of it! Thanks, Lisa

 

[ROG]

Trailers are covered third party by car insurance but to insure fully comp you need extra cover = ask your insurer

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
The supervising driver does not need to be insured unless they are driving


Are you sure you cannot tow on your B licence by keeping the vehicle GVW added to trailer MAM under 3500 ?
More info in post number 2000 of the HHO TOWING CLINIC - link in my signature below

 

[Lisa Morrison]

Thank you for your quick reply ROG, it is very helpful. Do most insurance companies cover for B+E learners if you ask or are there only certain ones who will? I probably could stick to my B license towing restrictions with horses but have always wanted to sit my B+E so there isn't so much weight restrictions - my partner is a farmer so would like to be able to step in and help with shifting livestock or driving tractor/trailer combinations if needed. Would it be legal for me to practice with smaller vehicle/trailer combinations (provided it was within the weight restrictions) without a co-driver? I only have experience of a quad bike and trailer so have a lot to learn!

 

[ROG]

Thank you for your quick reply ROG, it is very helpful. Do most insurance companies cover for B+E learners if you ask or are there only certain ones who will? I probably could stick to my B license towing restrictions with horses but have always wanted to sit my B+E so there isn't so much weight restrictions - my partner is a farmer so would like to be able to step in and help with shifting livestock or driving tractor/trailer combinations if needed. Would it be legal for me to practice with smaller vehicle/trailer combinations (provided it was within the weight restrictions) without a co-driver? I only have experience of a quad bike and trailer so have a lot to learn!

All insurers have different rules so you need to ask them

B licence towing - add vehicle plated GVW to trailer plated MAM and if it does not add up to more than 3500 then its ok

Post 2000 of the towing clinic thread gives all the info for the B+E test