Course Information

Trailer + Towing Tuition

Changes to the licensing and testing system on 1st January 1997 saw the introduction of one completely new test, the B+E car and trailer test.

Although this test has been around for some 8 years now, a huge number of people, including some instructors are completely unaware of it. This has led to numerous incidences of people driving unlicensed, and uninsured through ignorance of the law.

The regulations regarding the towing of trailers, written by the European committee were not designed in a way that is straightforward or easy to understand. The resulting rules are extremely confusing and are a minefield for the unwary.

Here is a summary of the rules; this SHOULD NOT be taken as a full explanation:

• A B+E driving licence is required to tow a large trailer behind a motor vehicle.
• A car is defined as a vehicle with no more than 8 seats, and a minimum permitted weight of 3500kg. A trailer is anything that is towed by a vehicle e.g. Horse boxes, Box van, large caravan, Car transporters etc. Trailers with a gross weight of more that 750kg need to be fitted with brakes, usually "over-run" brakes worked from the tow ball.
• A driver without a B+E licence can tow a trailer, providing the gross weight of the trailer is less than the un-laden weight of the towing vehicle. The whole combination must weigh less than 3500kg in total.
• A post '97 licence holder can however tow a trailer with a gross weight of around 1.5 tons, providing the towing vehicle and trailer are very carefully matched. If this matching is not done correctly, it will fail to comply with the exemption, resulting in the driver being unlicensed and uninsured. In a court of law this could carry a maximum of 9 penalty points and a £1000 fine and in some cases even a ban.

One Day Course (Refresher)

Designed for drivers who have previous trailer towing experience or who have recently failed the B+E car with trailer test - £190 + VAT plus £115 test fee.

Two Day Course

Designed for drivers who have experience of trailer towing an require the correct training in order to pass the B+E car with trailer test - £350 + VAT plus £115 test fee.

Three Day Course

Designed for drivers who have little of no experience of towing a trailer. This course will provide more time to learn and practice each area of training - £490 + VAT plus £115 test fee.

Do I need to take the B+E car and trailer test?

Introduction to the car and trailer B+E test.

B+E is the Driving Standards Agency practical driving test for car and trailer. No medical examination or additional theory test is required. The test is regarded by the DSA as the first step to driving Large Goods Vehicles and is examined accordingly. The duration of the test is about an hour and a half.

This driving test takes the candidate through a number of different exercises including a reversing exercise, coupling, uncoupling and a controlled stop.

In addition to the trailer manoeuvring exercising the candidate must show the examiner competency on the highway including junctions, roundabouts, lane control, mirror routines, hill starts, down hill starts, angles starts etc. At some point during the test your will be asked a number of preset questions called 'show me, tell me' which must be answered either verbally or practically demonstrated.

Successfully passing this test allows a driver to tow a trailer up to a gross weight (trailer plus load) of 3500kg. (3.5 tons) This means a vehicle and trailer with a gross train weight of 7,500kg. (7.5 tons)

We cover all aspects of the B+E test, these include:-

1. Driving on the public highway, including dual carriageways and motorways where available
2. Trailer reversing
3. Uncoupling and recoupling
4. The braking exercise
5. Coverage of the on road and of road syllabus for the test
6. The everyday use of trailers and trailer awareness
7. Full use of Nissan Adventurer
8. A Ivor Williams box trailer
9. We provide you with insurance throughout training and during the test