Trailers and towing

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coen

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I now have a 4x4 equipped with tow bar however before going for the trailer test I want to know if I am correct in thinking that I can tow 3.5tonnes with my normal driving licence?

If so is it generally only those people wishing to transport two horses that bother taking the test?

Obviously this would depend on trailer weight, horse + car.

What are the lightest, safe trailers?
 
When did you pass your test?

If its after 1997 I think it is you have to take the test :D

I had been towing after speaking with the DVLA when I spoke to someone about it they had informed me wrongly.

Be very careful as it invalidates your insurance etc if you are driving without it.

The max weight you can tow on a normal licence after 1997 is 750kg I think.
 
Without the licence you can tow up to 3.5t car and trailer combined, but towing a horse trailer with a suitable vehicle means you will be over that limit.
The weights are not the "actual" weight of the trailer or car but the maximum weight it can tow. So a Ifor trailer has a max weight of about 2300kg and a landrover Disco 4 has a max weight of 3240kg, so you would be well over!

Basically if you passed your driving test after 1/1/97 then you MUST take the test. End of.
 
My initial thought was that I could not tow anything without doing the test however I have been told various conflicting things since.

You see this is what I find confusing, the actual weight and maximum weight difference.
I was advised by a police man that with my licence which I passed after 1997 I would be able to tow a combined weight of up to 3.5tonnes.
E.g Horse 500kg, trailer 800kg, car 2200kg
 
Ooh just found this but not sure it clarifies anything.


Motor vehicle with a MAM of
up to 3,500kg, no more than
eight passenger seats with or
without a trailer – weighing no
more than 750kg.

As category B but with a
trailer weighing more than
750kg. The total weight of
the vehicle and trailer together
can’t weigh more than 3500kg.
The weight of the trailer, when
fully loaded, can’t weigh more
than the unladen weight of the
vehicle
 
coen said:
I was advised by a police man that with my licence which I passed after 1997 I would be able to tow a combined weight of up to 3.5tonnes.
E.g Horse 500kg, trailer 800kg, car 2200kg
Click to expand...

Firstly, you aren't taking into account weight of fuel, passengers, extra bits and pieces etc. I'm about 85kg, my partner is about 60kg, my daughter is 30kg, add another 150kg for tack, hay, grooming kit, buckets, water etc... There's another 325kg...

So, with trailer at 800kg and car 2200kg, other stuff at 325kg, that totals 3325kg, so if your horse only weighs 175kg, you'll be fine ;)

Secondly, you could do the above, as long as you down-plated the trailer, so that the combined MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass) of both car and trailer did not exceed 3.5t.

It doesn't matter what is actually IN the trailer, it's based on what the maximum CAN be in the trailer combined with the unladen weight of the trailer i.e. the MAM or max. laden weight.

Getting advice from the Police isn't the best policy, most of them don't understand it themselves...... found that out when I spoke to the police office next door!

To be honest, you're better off just doing the test, but make sure you either have lessons or are fully aware of the test 'rules'. Done my test a couple of weeks ago and passed (2nd attempt). Make sure, if you have a photocard license, that it's still in-date, if not take your passport also for photo id.
 
Agree with assuan - the law is based on the MAM (max authorised weights), not the actual physical weight.

The MAM of your trailer (the weight it CAN carry) is usually a lot more than the physical weight.

Heres a description of the laws and the calculation you need to work out if you're legal - www.tipsandbits.com/horseboxes1.html

Unfortunately, almost always you'll need to take the test!
 
Thanks that offers some clarification. I may be better off insuring my dad ect on my car for a day. That way at least I know I am covered for everything.
Hopefully it won't be too long until I can take the test (finances permitting).

It is amazing how grey this area is, I actually called two hire places and neither had a clear answer.
 
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