Landscape and Horticulture Association - Landscape Juice Network
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Trailer License
i have my HGV Class 2 License, as far as i can see on the direct gov website this also means i am licensed for towing my trailer.
My categoriesare B,BE,C,C1,C1E,D1,D1E,f,k,l,n,p
does anyone know if this is correct? i would imagine if i can drive a rigid lorry then this is correct?
My categoriesare B,BE,C,C1,C1E,D1,D1E,f,k,l,n,p
does anyone know if this is correct? i would imagine if i can drive a rigid lorry then this is correct?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Graeme @ BGS on -
Yes.
As a general rule of thumb if you pasted your driving test before 1st January 1997 then this generally allows you to drive a car towing a trailer up to a combined 8.25 tonnes max. gross weight. You will keep this entitlement until your license expires. Your licence type also allows you to drive a minibus with a trailer of over 750kgs max. gross weight.
If you passed your driving test after 1st January 1997 you need a category B+E licence to tow.
As you also have category C (large goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes max. gross weight) which entitles you to tow a trailer not exceeding 750 kgs max. gross weight, however there are no regulations for the upper weight limit of the combination weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer.
Category C1 is for medium sized vehicles from 3.5 tonnes to 7.5 tonnes max gross) As you also hold a category C1 licence (vans, minibuses, lorries, goods vehicles) and want to tow a trailer the absolute limit allowed combination is 8.25 tonnes max. gross weight. Unlike category B entitlement, there are no exceptions to this limit.
There are various licence extensions available for anyone who wishes to tow trailers exceeding 750kgs max gross weight. To extend licence entitlement you will have to complete the relevant theory and practical tests. The following licences can be obtained as extensions: Category B+E, Category C+E, Category C1+E, Category D+E, Category D1+E
In order to gain category B + E entitlement on your licence, you’ll need to pass a practical trailer towing test in addition to your normal driving test. You are eligible to take the towing (category E) test at the age of 17 and you must first hold your car (category B) driving licence.
The test fee is a whopping £115.00. Check with DSA (Driving Standards Agency) to find a test centre that caters for the ‘E’ test!
The towing test is based upon the HGV driving test, takes around an hour and includes an off-road section where you’ll be required to demonstrate your reversing skills and a controlled stop. The on-road section will incorporate urban areas and may include a motorway section. Your eyesight will be checked and the examiner will also ask you to connect and disconnect the trailer for assessment.
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Permalink Reply by Pro Gard on -
Yes, I think so.
Being a post 97 driver although I have taken my C1 (rigid Lory)I still cant legally tow my trailer behind my pickup with a heavy load or indeed a trailer over 750kg behind a rigid.
The law on this is total utter crap. Luckily the goods I carry in my trailer are usually light eg mower so my trailer weight is mostly less than the vehicle weight (heavy navara)...... therefore Im usually legal. I would plead ignorance if stopped and over weight.
Some time early next year I will take my B plus E so I'm 100% legal but finding the time is an issue plus the fact I object so strongly to having to do it.
The grandfathers rights thing is what really pisses me off, my father who has never driven anything bigger than a car can drive a 7.5 ton and trailer on his license or tow a trailer up to 3.5 ton yet I can't even having passed a proper loory test that alows me to drive 18 tons rigid plus.
The government SHOULD have made the 97 rule apply to all licenses with a 3 year grace period for those with older licenses to upgrade. instead the penalize an entire generation putting them at a disadvantage over older workers.
This sort of crap and other issues are the reason I will never ever vote labor in my lifetime and am so anti Europe.
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Permalink Reply by Graeme @ BGS on
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Couldn't agree more Paul. It's a total shambles
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Permalink Reply by NMGS on -
This sort of thing really irritates me. I passed my test within a few days after the law was changed and this scuppers my towing.
The training + test can usually be arranged for around £600. Quite expensive!!
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Permalink Reply by Kieran Ray on -
Paul its the trailers plated weight they mean, even if you are towing and empty trailer thats plated to have a gvw of more than 750kg you need b+e! It annoys the hell out of me to, I have priced it up and with the cost of the lessons it is nerly£1000 around here!
Im in the same boat as you regarding the law that older people can tow if they want!
Also as the haulege industry is lacking in new drivers they have put the age to take your 7.5 tonne licence down from 21 to 18, it only annoys me because it was after I turnt 21!
Pro Gard said:Yes, I think so.
Being a post 97 driver although I have taken my C1 (rigid Lory)I still cant legally tow my trailer behind my pickup with a heavy load or indeed a trailer over 750kg behind a rigid.
The law on this is total utter crap. Luckily the goods I carry in my trailer are usually light eg mower so my trailer weight is mostly less than the vehicle weight (heavy navara)...... therefore Im usually legal. I would plead ignorance if stopped and over weight.
Some time early next year I will take my B plus E so I'm 100% legal but finding the time is an issue plus the fact I object so strongly to having to do it.
The grandfathers rights thing is what really pisses me off, my father who has never driven anything bigger than a car can drive a 7.5 ton and trailer on his license or tow a trailer up to 3.5 ton yet I can't even having passed a proper loory test that alows me to drive 18 tons rigid plus.
The government SHOULD have made the 97 rule apply to all licenses with a 3 year grace period for those with older licenses to upgrade. instead the penalize an entire generation putting them at a disadvantage over older workers.
This sort of crap and other issues are the reason I will never ever vote labor in my lifetime and am so anti Europe.
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Permalink Reply by Pro Gard on
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Kieran,
I think Im legal, ive been pulled by a police/ VOSA check before and they were happy as I was under the total weight of the towing vehicle, the guy even quoted this and they did look at my licence.
As I say im doing my trailer test in the new year so will soon be completly covered, My trailer only gets used a couple of times a month so im happy to take a risk although if Im right most of the time im within weight and legal.
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Permalink Reply by Kieran Ray on
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Oh right! maybe I shall get that trailer I wanted! I was lead to beleve its was the plate weight.
Pro Gard said:Kieran,
I think Im legal, ive been pulled by a police/ VOSA check before and they were happy as I was under the total weight of the towing vehicle, the guy even quoted this and they did look at my licence.
As I say im doing my trailer test in the new year so will soon be completly covered, My trailer only gets used a couple of times a month so im happy to take a risk although if Im right most of the time im within weight and legal.
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Permalink Reply by Tim Haywood on -
Ifor Williams have a document on their website which simplifies it (a bit):
http://www.iwt.co.uk/brochures/ltt.pdf
The weights your vehicle can tow should be listed in it's registration document - both braked and unbraked trailers.
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Permalink Reply by Pro Gard on
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Cheers for that Tim, Proves that I am legal with a light load or unnladen as I thought.
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Permalink Reply by Gary Hedges on -
As I hi jacked Dans thread I've resurrected this one.
I must admit I am still confused .
The VOSA official told me that the gross weight of trailer and van must not exceed 3500kg but web sites seem to suggest you can drive to a max of 8.25t !
I have my class one so I'm ok BUT some sites say if you are over 3500kg gross wt you need to fit a Tachograph !
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Permalink Reply by Pro Gard on
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BE is what you need or take your rigid Lorry C or 7.5 then take the trailer test eg 7.5 and trailer or c1 plus E (arctic).
Ive recently taken my BE as couldn't be bothered to do CE (I have C) I just booked in with DVLA and did it, learn the reverse manuvere and correct hitch up and its easy.
The whole thing Pees me off no end particularly the grandfathers rights nonsense.
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