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

[ROG.]

My first post and I hope you will find it useful - many other sites have


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


I have extensive knowledge on this issue and already have a trailer towing clinic HERE as well as many other sites.
I use the above to demonstrate that I have not joined this site to spam etc but simply to help others understand the rules which the Govt sites do not seem to explain very well.

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 I have managed to find a simple way of determining whether a driver can tow something on a B only licence -

To tow over 750 kgs with a B licence you need to say NO to the following:-
Is the plated MAM of the trailer more than the UNLADEN/KERB/EMPTY weight of the towing vehicle?
Does the GVW of the towing vehicle plus the plated MAM of the trailer add up to more than 3500 kgs?
Is the ACTUAL weight of the empty trailer and its load 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

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.
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

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

I hope this helps those who are unsure of the rules

[ROG.]

The B only licence category DOES allow you to tow trailers BUT there are weight restrictions.
 
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

Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0 TSI 3dr 2.0
Kerb Weight = 1400 Kg
Gross Weight = 1870 Kg
Towing Limit = 1400 Kg

Trailer
Unladen weight = 650 kg
MAM weight = 1400 kg - perhaps downplated from an original 2000 kg
Load max weight of 750 kg

LEGAL for towing on a B licence because the trailer MAM of 1400 is not more than the vehicle unladen weight of 1400 and the trailer MAM of 1400 plus the Golf GVW of 1870 adds up to 3270 which is not more than the 3500 limit

[ROG.]

All B licence holders have a B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence

That means they can tow a B+E combination either loaded or empty and on a motorway providing they adhere to these rules:-
Supervising driver must be age 21+ and held B+E for 3+ years
L plates on front of vehicle and rear of trailer
Correct insurance for B+E learner - check with current insurer

=================================================================
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 independant drive and is done virtually the same as the basic car test

[ROG.]

If anyone wishes me to do a personal check for them then please supply this info with the weights in kgs

LICENCE
B or B+E

VEHICLE
Kerb =
GVW =
Towing capacity =

TRAILER
Unladen =
MAM =

[Screech16v]

I did 110 with a trailer on ,is that ok as it did say 120 max on the plate.

[ROG.]

I did 110 with a trailer on ,is that ok as it did say 120 max on the plate.

You will have to help me a little

What is a 110?

What was 120 on the plate? - I assume you might mean 1200 kgs max towing weight?

[bob23]

I did 110 with a trailer on ,is that ok as it did say 120 max on the plate.

You will have to help me a little

What is a 110?

What was 120 on the plate? - I assume you might mean 1200 kgs max towing weight?

I think he means 110 mph.

Also doesn't the trailer have to be less than 75% of the weight of the tow vehicle to tow on a b licence?

[Diamond Hell]

Here's the normal question on here - is it legal for me to tow a car on a car trailer behind my car?

We'll use my set up as an example

VEHICLE 2004 Passat 4motion TDI
Kerb = it weighs in around 1800kg
GVW =  No idea
Towing capacity = 2000kg

(Parkers shows different figures to the handbook)

TRAILER
Unladen = 300kg
MAM = 1450kg
Load: my Golf2 which is under 1100kg

Now I'm pretty confident I'm legal as I've held my license since the early 90s and it includes the 7.5t allowance and the towing licensing as well. Would I be legal driving the above if I passed my test after the break point, where the trailer test became necessary?

The question I'm curious about is something I've seen people talking about: the axle weights on vehicles, say if I load my Passat up with four fat blokes and their luggage, what effect will that have on the towing capacity and laws associated with towing as it's easy to add several hundreds of kilos to the towing vehicle, specifically over the rear axle, with a bunch of tools in the boot.

I've seen this flagged as being a reason for buying a higher towing capacity car than you'd expect to need and as you're an expert in this area I'd be interested to hear your views.

Cheers.

[JC]

surely me and danny would be fat, whose the other 2 

[The Mighty Elvi]

I'm waiting for the obligatory Bellend post.