Trailer test requirements for towing

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sitting_pretty

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Hi all, apologies this has probably been asked a million and one times! I passed my driving test in 2007 and up until now I had been under the impression that I needed to take an additional test to tow my horse in a trailer.

I've got a lightweight trailer that I've been driving for some time with L plates in preparation for taking my test this summer. However I have just read on the dvla website that so long as the combined weight of both car and laden trailer is no more that 3.5tonnes then it's covered by my car license?! I can only take one horse based on the strength of my 4x4 so I'm pretty sure I'm below 3.5t. Can anyone shed some light on this please? I would be eternally grateful!!

:-)
 
That's correct as far as I know
Can you get to a weighbridge and check the weight with everything you'd take for an outing on board then add the weight of the horse? or at least look up the weight of your car and try to work things out from there. Many 4x4 will put you outside of the weights though
 
Hi, I was also under the impression that you had to sit a test so would be grateful if anyone knew anything about this. I have also been told that I need to have a livestock certificate before allowed to travel with a horse in the trailer but again unsure if this is correct.
 
The laden trailer can no weigh more than the unladen car, so from what you say i think you would be cutting it fine, your horse and trailer may weigh more than your empty car. Also if you are taking a test you need some lessons, the test is ridiculously hard unfortunately i failed my first one. I have another tomorrow and i'm not sure ill pass again. It's worse than a driving test.
 
I USUALLY do these in the HHO towing clinic - see link in my signature below - but as I am here ...

For using a B only licence to tow a trailer over 750 kgs plated MAM there is one extra rule on top of all the usual towing rules and that one extra rule is...

The GVW of the vehicle added to the trailer plated MAM must not total more than 3500 kgs

That is not actual weight but plated weights - GVW MAM and MTPLM(caravan) all mean the same thing - the legal maximum weight something can be when fully loaded



This may also be of use ....

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 B+E test
No medical or theory test required
Read a number plate from a certain distance
VIDEO - Show Me Tell Me Questions - usually 5
The next three can be in any order:-
VIDEO - Reversing Exercise - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
DSA REVERSING TEST AREA DIAGRAM
VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
One hour road drive - includes the independent drive and is done virtually the same as the basic car test

The trailer must now be loaded with 600 kgs of sand bags or a 1000 kgs water IBC for the test so most companies are now training with that weight in the trailer
https://www.gov.uk/new-laden-testing-rules-for-driving-test-vehicles

Well explained here

DISCLAIMER - I have no connection to any companies which may be featured in those videos
 
Thank you so much everyone, especially ROG! I will need to double check the plates on my trailer and exact car weight, but if it is the case that fully laden we are below 3.5t then are you saying I can tow on my car licence? Sorry for being ditzy! There's a weigh bridge not far from me so can definitely look in to checking everything out there.
 
sitting_pretty said:
Thank you so much everyone, especially ROG! I will need to double check the plates on my trailer and exact car weight, but if it is the case that fully laden we are below 3.5t then are you saying I can tow on my car licence? Sorry for being ditzy! There's a weigh bridge not far from me so can definitely look in to checking everything out there.
Click to expand...

Please give me the GVW for your vehicle - its the top of the four figures on a weight plate usually hidden under the bonnet or in a door frame

The please give me the MAM of your trailer - that is usually on a silver plate on the A frame part

We do not need a weighbridge to work out if is a legal set up for B licence towing
 
ROG said:
We might be able to do it now if you know the exact model of vehicle and trailer??
Click to expand...

Hi ROG,

I'm not too sure what I should be looking for on the plates so have taken a few pictures - links below. (yikes have no idea why the car one is upside down, let me know if you need it rotated!!)

The car is a 53 plate Rav4 5 door, and trailer is a Bateson Deauville. As mentioned, I will only ever be towing one horse.

Many thanks!

1z14emu.jpg


i3ct4i.jpg
 
Vehicle GVW 1825 and has a 2000 towing capacity (3825-1825=2000)
Trailer MAM 2300

total 4125 (1825+2300=4125) so over the 3500 limit for B towing

http://www.batesontrailers.com/product/horse-trailers/deauville-horse-trailers/ - trailer weighs 860 empty - lets say 900

Simple solution - contact bateson for a down plate to 1600 from 2300
that will still leave 700 for the horse/load in the trailer
 
ROG said:
Vehicle GVW 1825 and has a 2000 towing capacity (3825-1825=2000)
Trailer MAM 2300

total 4125 (1825+2300=4125) so over the 3500 limit for B towing

http://www.batesontrailers.com/product/horse-trailers/deauville-horse-trailers/ - trailer weighs 860 empty - lets say 900

Simple solution - contact bateson for a down plate to 1600 from 2300
that will still leave 700 for the horse/load in the trailer
Click to expand...

Amazing thank you! I have just fired across an email to Bateson, will let you know hoe it goes :)
 
ROG said:
that rule was revoked on 19/01/2013
Click to expand...

Hi again ROG, all was going swimmingly until Bateson told me that I won't be able to tow on my car license even if I'm under the 3.5t with the downplate because the max trailer weight will still be more than the unladen car weight by a couple of hundred kg.

I remembered you saying that that law was revoked last year and so have been reading online. However, as far as I can make out it seems that the law is only revoked for those who passed their b test after January 2013 but still stands if you passed between 1997 and 2013?! Do you know any more on it?

Huge thanks!
 
sitting_pretty said:
Hi again ROG, all was going swimmingly until Bateson told me that I won't be able to tow on my car license even if I'm under the 3.5t with the downplate because the max trailer weight will still be more than the unladen car weight by a couple of hundred kg.

I remembered you saying that that law was revoked last year and so have been reading online. However, as far as I can make out it seems that the law is only revoked for those who passed their b test after January 2013 but still stands if you passed between 1997 and 2013?! Do you know any more on it?

Huge thanks!
Click to expand...

check out this letter - might send it to Bateson


BLICENCETOWINGLAW001-2.jpg
 
Bateson replied to my email ....



Bateson Trailers Limited
to me

Good morning Rog , thank you for that information, I was not aware of the change in this law, we will update our advice on the web accordingly.

Thank you, Regards, Brian Bateson.
 
ROG said:
Bateson replied to my email ....



Bateson Trailers Limited
to me

Good morning Rog , thank you for that information, I was not aware of the change in this law, we will update our advice on the web accordingly.

Thank you, Regards, Brian Bateson.
Click to expand...

Haha, I also received this email:

Good morning, I have just received new information regarding a change in the law that may be of interest, letter attached.
Regards Brian Bateson.

Thanks so much ROG :)
 
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