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Do you need to take the B+E Trailer Towing Test - The Smart Way
Do I need to take a B+E Test?
Obviously the price of the B+E test is quite significant, so it makes perfect
sense not to take it unless you are actually going to need it and whether you
need it or not depends on a number of factors.
Let's start with the most straightforward question - Did you take your driving test before January 1st 1997?
Good news! You do not have to sit a B+E test, you are entitled to tow any trailer so long as the
Maximum Authorised Mass of the towing car and the Maximum
Authorized Mass of the Trailer added
together do not exceed 8,250 kg. However it may be that you feel you will benefit from some advice
about towing a trailer, especially if you have never towed before.
If that's the case we will be very happy to help you. If
the combined MAM of the towing vehicle and MAM of the trailer DO
exceed 8,250 kg you will need to take a category C1+E which is a
commercial vehicle category.
OK, it looks as if you might have to take a B+ E test.
However before we jump in with both feet, let's examine the trailer you plan to tow.
We need to know its Maximum Authorized Mass, otherwise known as
its MAM (see the Jargon Buster section below).
Is the MAM of the trailer 750 kg or less?
Good news!! You are planning to tow what is known as a "Light Trailer" and you do NOT need to sit a B+E
test, so long as the MAM of the towing vehicle does not exceed 3,500kg.
If you are driving a vehicle designed to carry MORE than
3,500kg it is considered a small lorry or Light Goods
Vehicle (LGV) and is covered by licence category C1.
Bear in mind if you ever tow anything with a MAM above 750kg you should revisit
this page to check your entitlement.
OK, the trailer you are planning to tow is considered a "Heavy Trailer" and its
beginning to look like you might need to do the B+E Test.
So now things get a little bit more involved. You now need to find out the
kerb weight (see the Jargon Buster section below) of the towing vehicle.
Is the Maximum Authorized Mass of the Trailer greater than or equal to the
Kerb weight of the towing car?
You WILL need to sit a B+E Test to tow this trailer.
Please feel free to call us at any time and we will do what
we can to give you an assessment of your driving and prepare you for the B+E
test as soon as possible.
The final question then......
Is the combination of the MAM of the trailer and the Maximum
Authorised Mass of the towing car more added together more than 3,500 kg?
You WILL need to sit a B+E Test to tow this trailer.
Please feel free to call us at any time and we will do what
we can to give you an assessment of your driving and prepare you for the B+E
test as soon as possible.
You do not need to take a B+E test to tow this trailer.
However, remember that this is THIS particular trailer towed by THIS
particular towing car. If you change either it is extremely
possible that you will need to reconsider. For that reason we at
The Smart Way recommend that if you are
planning to tow ANY trailer with a MAM of over 750 kg you give very serious consideration to taking a B+E test
and be sure you stay within the law.
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Please be aware that these are EU rules and apply in all EU countries
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B + E Jargon Buster
Maximum Authorised Mass of
the Trailer
This is the maximum weight the
trailer is DESIGNED to be able to carry, irrelevant as to what it is
ACTUALLY carrying. This information will be found on a plate on the
trailer frame
Kerb Weight of the car
This is the maximum weight the
trailer is DESIGNED to be able to carry, irrelevant as to what it is
ACTUALLY carrying. This information will be found on a plate on the
trailer frame
Vehicle Gross Train Weight
This applies to the towing car. It is the maximum load that the car is designed to pull,
including the load of any trailer attached. This relates to the ACTUAL load and not the design
weights. It means: the weight of the car + the weight of the load in
the car + the weight of the trailer + the weight of the load in the trailer.
Don't forget this includes any passengers.
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This page was last updated on
30 October 2012
Contact information for The Smart Way Driving School
Contact us on Mobile 07711 336452
Email
Enquiries@The-Smart-Way.CO.UK
Post - 5 Rosehill Place, Eliburn, Livingston.
Trailer towing lessons Livingston,
Trailer towing lessons West Lothian,
Learn to tow a trailer,
Linthithgow, West Calder, East Calder, Mid Calder, Blackburn, Whitburn, Polbeth, Seafield,
Stoneyburn, Kirknewton, Kirkliston, Longridge, Blackridge,
Fauldhouse, Harthill, Dechmont, Bridgend, Broxburn,
Aberdour, Anstruther, Auchtermuchty, Ballingry, Ballmullo,
Bowhill, Buckhaven, Burnt Island, Cupar, Kincardine, Methyl, Rosyth, Cardenden,
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