Hi, I know this topic has been covered extensively on here, however I would like to hear peoples feedback that have taken the test and there experience of the lessons they did. I have recently found out that I am actually 50Kg's over my license limit with my current van (150Kg with my previous van). I've been towing for 5 years now and haven't been pulled so far but you never know. So have now decided that I'm going to do it this year. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
If you are over and need to take the test the reason most people fail the test is not through the towing elements of the test but through their basic driving skills and picking up faults from simple errors. Get this up to speed first.
Can't assist you on the course details but you need to understand how your car insurance operates in the circumstances you have described. You may of course know, but for anyone who doesn't.....
When you tow in a manner that is not allowed by law you only have third party insurance even where your policy is fully comprehensive. Further, if there was an accident when towing, the insurers can recover from you all of the costs they incur in compensating the other driver. You pay for your own damage repairs.
So, get on the course asap
Phil
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Yes, you definitely need to pass the test before you tow the caravan again. Check your figures first, just to be sure, but don't risk it any further than you already have.
I did the test about this time last year. If you are confident and used to towing then a half day course will be plenty. On the test the instructor had be reversing in an 'S' shape through cones and stopping with the rear of the trailer in a specified stopping zone (about 1.5 meters). After doing that you then are asked to unhitch and then re-hitch the trailer. This is where most people fail aparantly as there are certain things that have to be done i.e. checking the handbrake is applied before hitching by pushing against the trailer, checking the tyres and lights, lifting the rear of the towcar with the jockey wheel to make sure its connected correctly etc. It was then abour a 45 minute drive and back to the test centre.
It is the gross weight of the vehicle and the MTPLM of the caravan that could send you over the 3500kg limit, not the kerbweight plus MTPLM of caravan.
Wise move to upgrade as not having the correct licence could invalidate your insurance.
I cant see how the match you have is over the limits.
Goung by my sisters 2002 TDCI hatchback.
Gross train weight is less than 3500kg
Gross vehicle weight + trailer at vehicles unladen weight all come out legal.
Gross tow weight + gross vehicle weight woul;d be in excess of 3500kg. But you cannot tow that because it exceeds the vehicles gross train weight.
I do have the figures somewhere, I looked into it to make sure she would be legal. Not sure if she can tow with an estate though with its gross weigh in excess of 3500kg.
Hi, I have been speaking with a guy from TRUK training who is a local training providor to me. He seemed doubtful my combination was over the limit. Whilst chatting to him I got my handbook out and re-checked the the car weight. Its a 2005 hatchback and I got my car figure wrong. The MAM of the car is actually 2025Kg not 2200Kg as I thought. In that case I am legal as the caravans MTPLM is less than the kerbweight. This gives me an 125Kg tolerance so am ok but am still going to do it anyway as caravans are just getting heavier these days. Thanks for all the replies :)
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Topic: B+E Test
