Trailer towing:- B and B+E licence rules explained

ROG.

ROG.

ROG.

Associate
Joined
13 Jun 2012
Posts
10
Not sure if this will actually be of any use to this site but it has been on many other sites
I'll be called a serial spammer soon ;):D

I hope you will find this useful - many other sites have.
GOOGLE (copy & paste) the title below to confirm this.

Trailer towing:- B and B+E licence rules explained

Trailer MAM means the maximum weight the trailer can be when fully loaded (weight of empty trailer plus weight of load)

Trailers over 3500 kgs plated MAM weight come under different rules which is why all the trailers towed by B class vehicles, those of 3.5 tonnes and under, are not plated at more than 3500 kgs or 3.5 tonnes MAM

Trailers without plates use the total of the TYRE LOAD RATINGS to determine the MAM.
A rating of 66 on 4 tyres would give a MAM of 1200 kgs.

Vehicles in the B licence category will have the following information on a plate in the vehicle, in the handbook or on the V5 form.
Information can also be found on many internet vehicle specification sites.
Unladen or Kerb weight - although there is a slight difference in the two it is not that much
GVW - the max weight the vehicle can weigh when fully loaded
GTW - the max weight the vehicle and trailer can ACTUALLY weigh when added together. This does not refer to the total of the vehicle GWV and trailer MAM weights.
Towing capacity - this is the ACTUAL weight that can be towed by the vehicle - it does not mean the trailer MAM weight.
None of the above weights must be exceeded

Some vehicles have a GVW, a towing capacity and a GTW. In such a case the GTW takes priority over the GVW and towing capacity when added together

FOR B+E LICENCES

Where a towing capacity is listed then this would be a legal example:-
CAR has GVW of 2000 and a towing capacity of 1800
TRAILER has a MAM of 3500 and an unladen weight of 1000
The trailer can be loaded with a maximum weight of 800

Where there is not a towing capacity listed then the GTW is used
GTW minus the GVW does not give the towing capacity unless the vehicle is fully laden
EXAMPLE: -
VAN has GVW of 3500 and GTW of 6000
TRAILER has MAM of 3500
The van and trailer can weigh 3000 each and be legal

FOR B LICENCES
The Gov sites are not that good at explaining this so perhaps my simpler way of explaining will help.....

To tow over 750 kgs with a B licence you need to comply with these rules:-
The plated MAM of the trailer must not be more than the UNLADEN/KERB weight of the towing vehicle
The GVW of the towing vehicle plus the plated MAM of the trailer must not add up to more than 3500 kgs
The ACTUAL weight of the empty trailer and its load must not be more than the listed towing capacity

Example of legally towing over 750 kgs with a B licence - made up figures but not that far from what can be found....

Towing vehicle -
Unladen/empty/kerb = 1500
GVW = 2000
Towing capacity = 1800

Trailer -
Unladen/empty = 800
MAM = 1500 (Perhaps originally a 2000 MAM but downplated by manufacturer so it conforms to B licence towing)

Load trailer with 700 max

Reasons it is legal for towing on a B licence -
The 1500 MAM of the trailer is not more than the 1500 unladen/empty weight of the towing vehicle
The 2000 GVW of the towing vehicle plus the 1500 MAM of the trailer is not more than 3500
The towing capacity/actual weight being towed does not exceed 1800

Here is another way of looking at the B licence towing rules with examples:-

RULE 1 - The gross plated weight of the trailer (MAM) cannot exceed the vehicle kerbweight.

RULE 2 - Also, the sum of the vehicle gross plated weight (GVW) and the trailer gross plated weight (MAM) cannot exceed 3500kg.

Examples:-

Vehicle 1200kg kerbweight, 1700kg gross plated weight (GVW) = maximum trailer gross plated weight (MAM) 1200kg SEE RULE 1

Vehicle 1500kg kerbweight, 2000kg gross plated weight (GVW) = maximum trailer gross plated weight (MAM) 1500kg SEE RULES 1 & 2

Vehicle 1800kg kerbweight, 2300kg gross plated weight (GVW) = maximum trailer gross plated weight (MAM) 1200kg SEE RULE 2

The weight which can be loaded on the trailer is the trailer gross plated weight (MAM) minus the trailer unladen weight
Trailer gross plated weight (MAM) 1500 with unladen weight 900 = a maximum load of 600

The listed maximum towing capacity for a vehicle must not be exceeded - that is actual weight not plated MAM weight
Although there is not a specific law which states this there are other laws which can be used if the combination (vehicle & trailer) is deemed unsafe.

Caravan weights work on a slightly different system as they take into account the recommended (not legal) 85% towing advice

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

Many will find that passing the once in a lifetime B+E test is their best option so here is some info on that test:-

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 (old measurements) - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
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

DISCLAIMER - I have no connection to any companies which may be featured in those videos

I hope this helps those who are unsure of the rules


Please post with this info if you want me to answer a specific query - weights in kgs please
(might be made easier if the info below is copied and pasted with the weights etc put after the '=' bits)

LICENCE
B or B+E =

VEHICLE
Unladen/kerb =
GVW =
GTW =
Towing capacity =

TRAILER
Unladen =
MAM =
 
Out of curiosity.. lets say you are towing and the Highway Patrol or whoever pull you over and make you go to a weigh station 25 miles in the opposite direction, do you get any compensation for the fuel cost and time taken?
 
ROG since you seem to know quite a lot about this,

Currently I got a full UK driving license (got it this year), if I was to tow a car of 1'550kg on a 16' by 6' flatbed that weighs 665kg (2215kg in total ) would I need to apply for another license?
 
phil675 said:
Out of curiosity.. lets say you are towing and the Highway Patrol or whoever pull you over and make you go to a weigh station 25 miles in the opposite direction, do you get any compensation for the fuel cost and time taken?
Click to expand...

They can only divert you a maximum of 7 miles to a weighbridge.
 
Lopéz said:
Because this is Motors, a forum for discussing cars and everything to do with them? People are generally misingormed about trailers and regularly get towing regulations wrong.
Click to expand...

yep cos copying and pasting from a website as your 4th post is helpful :rolleyes:
 
Rainagul said:
ROG since you seem to know quite a lot about this,

Currently I got a full UK driving license (got it this year), if I was to tow a car of 1'550kg on a 16' by 6' flatbed that weighs 665kg (2215kg in total ) would I need to apply for another license?
Click to expand...
yes

The simple B licence towing rules are -

The GVW(MAM) of the vehicle added to the trailer plated MAM must not add up to more than 3500 kgs
The trailer plated MAM must not be more than the kerbweight of the vehicle - that rules looks like being scrapped after JAN 2013

You already have an actual weight of 2215 and that means the MAM weight will legally have to be that or higher for that weight
Lets assume the trailer had a MAM of 2500 kgs - that only leaves a GVW for the towing vehicle of 1000 !!!
 
Lopéz said:
Because this is Motors, a forum for discussing cars and everything to do with them? People are generally misingormed about trailers and regularly get towing regulations wrong.
Click to expand...
That is the reason I am so busy with this on many sites

The DVLA site does not explain in a way that many can understand - it could be done better - perhaps plain English?

Real life examples would also help

The myths which are on the internet could also be addressed on the DVLA site but are not

Many like to present a situation and then have that answered along with the reason as to why they can or cannot do it - cannot get that from the DVLA - well, you could but will probably get various answers unless the question is put very clearly and precisely

This can be seen quite clearly in the last post I answered above where the poster only mentioned actual weights and not the weights which are required to determine whether it would be legal or not
I could have questioned the poster if the actual weights had been lower as there might have been the possibility for them to tow legally but with such high actual weights I know it was not going to be legal
 
Nice thread, I'm inclined to post a follow up explaining the class C HGV/LGV rules , Perhaps not....... :o
 
ROG. said:
I've done that already on a few sites but I dont really think there is a need for that on here .... is there??? LOL
Click to expand...

There's a few truckers on here (myself included) but I doubt there is need - unless demand proves otherwise.....
 
ROG. said:
I've done that already on a few sites but I dont really think there is a need for that on here .... is there??? LOL
Click to expand...

Why do you feel obligated to do this, what is your intention and why do you believe you have the insight? Genuine question.
 
Housey said:
Why do you feel obligated to do this, what is your intention and why do you believe you have the insight? Genuine question.
Click to expand...
I've been out of work for quite some time and got bored

I had the time to get a very good grip on various things - the B & B+E towing rules - the driver cpc and the tacho regs

Then I triple checked that knowledge with experts in the various fields and passed that knowledge onto others

that means I can answer most questions and senarios in those fields

I take great care not to guess an answer - I learnt that early on !!

If I dont know I will either say so or if I have a good idea what it is then I will say I THINK or similar but make it obvious that I do not actually know

I cannot blame anyone who does not believe another on the internet but I can at least give them the answer and what they do with that answer is up to them

Many have checked on my answers with those in authority and so far nobody has questioned the validity of them

That is the advantage of putting the answers publically and not by PM - I can be picked up on anything amiss which is good
 
Housey said:
Why do you feel obligated to do this, what is your intention and why do you believe you have the insight? Genuine question.
Click to expand...

I commend Rog for what he's posted here as many people are hopelessly lost when it comes to the legal jargon bestowed upon us from DVLA & VOSA.

As an LGV Operator, Driver and Employer, anything that makes the very confusing DVLA & VOSA regulations easier to understand, the better.
 
Hi, this is a confusing subject that comes up time and time again and can lead to people getting pulled over if they get it wrong. When I was checking this subject out I got pretty confused looking first at the government website which seems to leave some of the finer points to the imagination, then on a number of forums which also left gaps in answer to my questions. Overclockers was one of the websites I came across when looking for this information, and Rog's examples were really useful. However applying this to your specific situation is especially difficult if you haven't bought your car or trailer yet, and need to know what you can tow with your license in the UK. The following website should help most people including myself (www.trailertowinguk.rollingplaces.co.uk), I'd appreciate anyone letting me know if they find it useful or incorrect in any way.
 
Ok, a real world example for you.
I passed my test in 1991 so there is no need for me to take a test to pull a trailer.
Lets assume this trailer is a horse box and it is behind a landrover.
Assuming that no weight rules are broken, my girlfriend who passes her test at a much later date does not have the correct licence to do so.
Does this mean as long as I am a passenger in that vehicle and the vehicle is displaying the relevant L plates, she can drive / pull the trailer legally without taking any further tests
 
Last edited:
The whole trailer thing confuses me!

Scenario: Using a 2700KG vehicle to tow a ~300KG twin-axle braked trailer. The trailer has a 480KG car on it, making the total towing weight 780KG.
From what I understand I, having passed my Theory, Hazard Perception, and Practical tests in 2008 am not allowed to do so... but my father having passed his Practical test in 1975 is allowed to do so.

The test I would need to do to make the above legal... is it hard? I suck at reversing trailers :(.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom