Make Sure You’re Towing Legally

HGV Ireland used their September 17 blog to pose an interesting question: are you legally towing a trailer? The question is one asked by many a contractor, farmer, and individual citizen here in the UK. The confusion apparently comes from a lack of knowledge regarding licensing regulations.

In short, the regulations are as follows:

• Licences issued from 19 January 2013 – Drivers with a category B licence can tow small trailers with weights up to 750 kg; heavier trailers can be towed as long as the combined weight of both trailer and car does not exceed 3,500 kg.

• Licences held from 1 January 1997 – Drivers who have held licences since 1997 have two options in addition to what was previously listed. First, they can tow a trailer of up to 750 kg with a vehicle of up to 3,500 kg as long as the combined weight is not exceed 4,250 kg. The second option allows them to tow a trailer heavier than 750 kg as long as it is not heavier than the car and the combined weight does not exceed 3,500 kg.

• Licences held prior to 1997 – Drivers who were issued licences prior to 1997 can tow trailers of any size, up to a combined limit of 8.5 tons. They are also allowed to tow a trailer of up to 750 kg behind a minibus.

Please note that exceeding the above limits requires at least a B+ E entitlement. In some cases, a C1+E may be necessary. It is the responsibility of each driver to assess his or her own situation for compliance.

Receiving the Proper Training

You may be confused as to why some people tow trailers in violation of the law. Sometimes it is ignorance; other times it’s due to a mistaken belief that the trailer licence cost is too high. In the case of ignorance, that’s no longer excuse now that you’ve been shown the regulations. The HGV Training Centre can help you with the trailer licence cost.

We offer comprehensive training to both individuals and company drivers at very affordable rates. We will teach you how to couple and uncouple a trailer, manoeuvre a trailer in tight spaces, drive safely on the open road and conduct the appropriate safety inspections. By the time you complete our training program, you’ll be more than ready to take your practical skills test.

You will also be happy to know that learning to tow a trailer is not as difficult as it may seem. Assuming you have a category B licence, you already know the general highway safety rules you are expected to know. Your trailer training just enhances that knowledge by teaching you how to safely drive with the trailer.

Lastly, our training programs are designed to be focused and brief. We teach you exactly what you need to know in order to pass your test – nothing more, nothing less. As we said before, when you complete your training with us, you will be more than ready to take your test.