Trailers

[DarkLegend]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_4022547

Category B License:

Motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3500kg having not more than 8 passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg.

Combinations of towing vehicles in category B and a trailer, where the MAM of the combination does not exceed 3500kg and the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle

Category B is what all post '97 tests get you, before that you automatically got B+E which is car and trailer.

[MrMPuk]

I don't get what you are trying to say, it says there not over 750kgs!

[DarkLegend]

I don't now how to explain it any better than I have.

You have a trailer 750kgs regardless of any other factors, towed by a Mini / Humvee, empty / fully laden to 3.5t - whatever.

OR

It fits the category - trailer max plated weight LESS than vehicle manufcturers stated kerb weight and WHOLE lot less than 3.5t.

So 4.25t with a 750kg trailer or 3.5t and fit the above rules.

[DarkLegend]

Quote from another site that maybe explains it clearer than I have managed:

For those who passed their test on or after 1/1/1997 its more complicated. For vehicles of up to 3.5 tonnes gross, the trailer may be up to 750kg gross regardless of the tow vehicles weights (subject to the vehicle being rated to tow that of course) OR a trailer of more than 750kg provided the GROSS weight of the trailer does not exceed the UNLADEN weight of the tow vehicle AND the MAM (GTM) does not exceed 3500kg. So, with the SWB above it would be legal to tow a trailer with a gross weight (i.e. trailer and payload) not exceeding 1339kg as the gross weight of the trailer is less than the kerbweight of the SWB and the train weight is 3428kg. This is the standard Category B entitlement. If you want to tow a combination in excess of 3.5 tonnes where the trailer is more than 750kg then you need to take the trailer test to get B+E allowing the combination to exceed 3.5 tonnes gross with no limits laid down as to trailer weight, however the tow vehicle may not exceed 3500kg gross. Of course, this is also subject to the types of vehicles you are entitled to drive, which is basically cars with no more than 8 seats, vans and small trucks not exceeding 3.5 tonnes gross. To drive a minibus (that is any vehicle with more than 8 but less than 17 passenger seats) you need to take a minibus test to get category D1.

[MrMPuk]

Well that is your understanding of it but believe me if you passed your test after Januray 1997 the maximum gross trailer weight you can tow is 750kgs unless you have done a trailer test. I know becuase I used to do this for a living.

[DarkLegend]

Ok, but I am not the only person who interprets the law that way, the traffic police officer who stopped me whilst towing my caravan also saw it that way and what purpose does this:

Combinations of towing vehicles in category B and a trailer, where the MAM of the combination does not exceed 3500kg and the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle

section of the regs serve, surely the first bit would be enough?

[MrMPuk]

The coppers are the worst ones for it!

[DarkLegend]

National Trailer and Towing Association interpretation


With effect from 1 January 1997 the second EC Directive on Driving Licences (91/439/EEC) came into effect, affecting new drivers passing their test after that date and HGV drivers who obtained their licence after 31 December 1991.

The net result is that new drivers will only be allowed to drive and tow the following combinations:

Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (category B) with a 750kg trailer (4.25 tonnes total MAM).

Category B vehicles with larger trailers i.e. > 750kg, provided that the combined MAM does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and the gross MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle. To be able to tow combinations outside this ruling requires the passing of an additional test.

I'm not trying to be a smartarse here, i'm just trying to clarify the situation, there's a lot of confusion over this law, not least because most people who it applies to don't even know about it!

When I took my test they didn't really point out that unlike everyone who took the test anytime up to this point and 6 months before, I would not be entitled to drive 7.5 tonners, trailers, minibuses etc. and I would need to take at least 4 separate tests to gain these entitlements (C1, C1+E, D1, D1+E) (@£90 a pop IIRC)