Towing with L-Plates - Am I still allowed?

[Bozzy]

I'm sure I read somewhere a while back that you're no longer able to tow with L-Plates despite having someone with the correct licence with you in the car. Is this correct?

Have just bought another 4x4 and trailer (after 4 years being without) and was really hoping to be able to get some practice in to prepare for taking my B+E test at some point in the near future. Can't rely on OH to take me everywhere yet again!

Ta muchly!

 

[palomino_pony]

Yes if the person sitting with you has done the B+E test and no if they haven't. (Even if they have been towing for years!!)

 

[PeterNatt]

As long as the person with you has passed their towing test then you can drive with L plates however if they just have a normal licence then you can't.
You must also ensure that your towing vehicle and trailer comply with current legislation and ensure that you are not overweight.

 

[rosie fronfelen]

I'm sure I read somewhere a while back that you're no longer able to tow with L-Plates despite having someone with the correct licence with you in the car. Is this correct?

Have just bought another 4x4 and trailer (after 4 years being without) and was really hoping to be able to get some practice in to prepare for taking my B+E test at some point in the near future. Can't rely on OH to take me everywhere yet again!

Ta muchly!

i very much doubt it, sorry!! check with DVLA.

 

[*hic*]

My understanding is that you cannot tow a trailer over 750Kg on L plates. I stand to be corrected though!

edited to add - I needed to be corrected!

 

[Bozzy]

Damn it!!! Ahh well, will have to stick to driving round the field and up and down the lane. (And sweet talking OH into still being my chauffeur!)

Am I right in thinking that you used to be able to?

 

[JaneyP]

Your cat B license becomes your provisional licence to tow, you must have someone with you in the vehicle who has the correct licence and show L plates xhttp://www.learners.co.uk/towing/index.asp

 

[whiteflower]

As others have said you can now only tow on a provisional if you are with someone who has actually passed the test and then held the licence for a certain period of time.

you used to be able to have anyone with an old style licence sitting with you but this changed in April 2010. i found this out very late and had to very quickly get myself on a course as it wasnt very well publicised that this change was being made.

 

[GeeBee45]

You can drive a trailer combination on L-plates perfectly legally provided that the person supervising you has the full category licence, is over 21 and has held the entitlement for at least 3 years.

If we're talking about vehicles with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of 3500kg or less towing a trailer with a MAM exceeding 750kg, that's most 4x4s and their horse trailers then they fall into category B+E. There is no problem with a B+E holder who passed their car test before 01/01/1997 supervising you driving. Doesn't even matter if the vehicle is laden or empty, although common sense suggests that you get plenty of practise driving empty trailers before taking loaded ones out.

The changes that occurred in May 2010 regarding drivers supervising learners only apply to C1 and D1 categories and those vehicles towing trailers. C1 is a vehicle with a MAM exceeding 3500kg but not exceeding 7500kg. D1 is a vehicle with more 9 or more passenger seats (plus driver) up to 16 passenger seats (+ driver).

A category B licence acts as a Provisional B+E licence.

 

[Luci07]

Clarification please around the use of the "L" plates! (thank you GeeBee45 for the legal details!)

I had assumed on reading the post that the use of "L" plates for towing would mean that someone had passed their "normal" driving test but would need to show the "L" plates while practising for their trailer test. On rereading it, it looks like someone who hasn't passed any part of their test could tow with the correct passenger? I had assumed common sense would have prevailed but am interested in the correct legal requirement!

 

[Bozzy]

If we're talking about vehicles with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of 3500kg or less towing a trailer with a MAM exceeding 750kg, that's most 4x4s and their horse trailers then they fall into category B+E. There is no problem with a B+E holder who passed their car test before 01/01/1997 supervising you driving. Doesn't even matter if the vehicle is laden or empty, although common sense suggests that you get plenty of practise driving empty trailers before taking loaded ones out.

The changes that occurred in May 2010 regarding drivers supervising learners only apply to C1 and D1 categories and those vehicles towing trailers. C1 is a vehicle with a MAM exceeding 3500kg but not exceeding 7500kg. D1 is a vehicle with more 9 or more passenger seats (plus driver) up to 16 passenger seats (+ driver).

A category B licence acts as a Provisional B+E licence.

Thanks so much...that's really positive news as would mean I can learn with OH as passenger. Just wondering why there is so much mis-understanding around this as have had quite a few mixed opions!

 

[whiteflower]

i stand corrected - it is as above - i assumed it was the same for trailers as it is for lorries as they were taken off the licence at the same time.

your lucky you can still tow with someone with a 'grandad' licence - i have just paid out nearly £1500 for training and tests for my c1. am pleased now i passed it as can go out by myself but was very expensive - i think its cheaper for the trailer though.