Pulling a trailer, do I need to take a trailer test?

[Dogbreath]

Thats a bit worrying! Does that mean that I will loose the 'grandfather' entitlement when my license expires? The new photocard ones have 10 years max (iirc) and looking at 4b on my photocard it seems mine expires in June 2010 - hope that doesn't mean i have to take the trailer test?

That's just your photo card. You licence expires when you are 70.

 

[Adam_151]

heres a question for you... if it relies on the MAM, then where does an unplated trailer stand these days? does it cause confusion if you are ever stopped with folk trying to find the plate ... afaik a trailer of less than 600 pounds was not required to be plated, and I assume (though I do not know) that as it complied when it was made, that for a trailer of this vintage the rule is tsill the same?

 

[Scania]

heres a question for you... if it relies on the MAM, then where does an unplated trailer stand these days? does it cause confusion if you are ever stopped with folk trying to find the plate ... afaik a trailer of less than 600 pounds was not required to be plated, and I assume (though I do not know) that as it complied when it was made, that for a trailer of this vintage the rule is tsill the same?

I'd guess it causes plenty of confusion, I'd imagine when such a trailer gets pulled into a roadside check (where they measure both axle weights and gross vehicle weights) then thats where the fun starts.

I'd have imagined that most trailers would have some kind of design capacity plate on them? Tbh, I don't know.

I do know that HGV trailers certainly have plates......

 

[Shoei]

I'd guess it causes plenty of confusion, I'd imagine when such a trailer gets pulled into a roadside check (where they measure both axle weights and gross vehicle weights) then thats where the fun starts.

I'd have imagined that most trailers would have some kind of design capacity plate on them? Tbh, I don't know.

I do know that HGV trailers certainly have plates......

just had a look on my little erde trailer. its got a plate on the front with some weights on it, 700kg max and 75kg for trailer weight. but since its lugged behind a CRV that tows a 1350KG caravan, guess im gonna kill the trailer before the crv wont tow it.

Regards the trailer test, heard its supposed to be a comprehensive test, down to using a trailer thats high fronted so you have to use wing mirrors for reversing. My only drawback when towing is relying on the wife to help me back the caravan into a pitch or when putting it down the side of the house. lots of arguments usually result from her not knowing left from right

 

[Scania]

My only drawback when towing is relying on the wife to help me back the caravan into a pitch or when putting it down the side of the house. lots of arguments usually result from her not knowing left from right

Can you imagine this in my job? it would be hell on earth!

My advice, send the Mrs inside to make a brew whilst you do the Alpha bit.

 

[paddy]

I did the B+E test a few years ago, I'm not sure what the official requirements of the vehicle are but I'd have thought something which required you to only use your wing mirrors would be needed.

Test itself was fairly straight forward. Started with a set reversing test (reversing left around a cone, then right, finishing in a coned garage, all with each stage within certain distances). Then an accelerate/brake test, 0-30-0 within X meters. Finally you're out onto the road for 40 minutes driving around being assessed.

I'd have liked to have done my C+E but time and money weren't on my side

 

[slowrunner]

I was always under the impression that if you passed your test after Jan 97 you had to take an additional trailer test.

But after reading this (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_10013073) on the DVLA website I get the impression that you are allowed to pull a trailer with a Cat B licence as long as the KERB weight of the car is equal to or more than the maximum weight of the loaded trailer and the combined maximum weights isn't over 3.5T.

fixed.

I'm guessing then if I use something like a Discovery weighing about 2T, I could pull a single horse trailer, which would be about 1.25T.

edit/ or a twin horse trailer as long as only 1 horse is in it.

It's the MAM of the trailer that counts, not the weight of what's in it.

heres a question for you... if it relies on the MAM, then where does an unplated trailer stand these days? does it cause confusion if you are ever stopped with folk trying to find the plate ... afaik a trailer of less than 600 pounds was not required to be plated, and I assume (though I do not know) that as it complied when it was made, that for a trailer of this vintage the rule is tsill the same?

Unplated = illegal, hence the availability of weight plates on auction sites. Like any law, you have to comply with any amendments made at a later date.

I did the B+E test a few years ago, I'm not sure what the official requirements of the vehicle are but I'd have thought something which required you to only use your wing mirrors would be needed.

Test itself was fairly straight forward. Started with a set reversing test (reversing left around a cone, then right, finishing in a coned garage, all with each stage within certain distances). Then an accelerate/brake test, 0-30-0 within X meters. Finally you're out onto the road for 40 minutes driving around being assessed.

I'd have liked to have done my C+E but time and money weren't on my side

Just the same as doing the C+E test, they make sure you can reverse it and stop it in a controlled manner, then you go out and do what could be deemed the standard driving test, only they're still looking to make sure you're aware of the extra length and handling difference.