I have just discovered that i need to take an addiditonal test to tow :(
I have checked the caravan and camping club and the cost for a two day course and test is just shy of £600. is this the norm, or does anyone know of any othe options.
I should mention i live in Scotland, so would need something near by.
I did mine last year. Cost me 310pound in total. £125 for initial assesment and test fee then £185 on my test day for training and use of vehicle for my test.
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Hi Battie do you have any details of were you done your training/Test, did they supply car and van??
I have decided to put my son up for it to give me a break on long distance runs (when he is with me)
looks like a good price to me.
Thanks
You don't need to take the test to tow unless you have a gross train weight in excess of 3500 kg. this could be as high as 4250 kg depending on how you read the legislation. You also need the B+E entitlement to tow over 100% of the tow vehicles weight though you still cannot exceed the manufacturers maximum weight and towing over 100% is seriously advised against.
The reality is that unless you have a very heavy outfit you probably can tow without taking the test. Rather than take the test it might be more cost effective to consider changing your outfit.
I don't think it's ever a bad idea to have some weight capacity spare on your licence, so that's the way I would go.
I think you can just take the test without training', not sure it's a great idea, but depends on the driver.
I did mine with tilston school of motoring in llay wrexham. Number is 01978851179. You use their vehicle. They are caravanners themselves and were very good.
They did say with the uncertainty about the rules there was talk of a legislation change.
My cars DRY weight is 2100kg van is 1500 so add fuel and fluids and your overweight. Max 1000 pound fine and points on your license. Is it worth the risk???
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Quote: Originally posted by DaveCoaches on 02/2/2013
You don't need to take the test to tow unless you have a gross train weight in excess of 3500 kg. this could be as high as 4250 kg depending on how you read the legislation. You also need the B+E entitlement to tow over 100% of the tow vehicles weight though you still cannot exceed the manufacturers maximum weight and towing over 100% is seriously advised against.
The reality is that unless you have a very heavy outfit you probably can tow without taking the test. Rather than take the test it might be more cost effective to consider changing your outfit.
The instructors informed me that 3500kg is max. Over that and you are driving with no license which invalidates your insurance also.
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Quote: Originally posted by Battie on 02/2/2013
The instructors informed me that 3500kg is max. Over that and you are driving with no license which invalidates your insurance also.
The rules on what you can tow are different depending on when you passed your driving test.
Licences issued from 19 January 2013:
From 19 January 2013, drivers passing a category B (car and small vehicle) test can tow:
- Small trailers weighing no more than 750kg.
- Trailers weighing more than 750kg, where the combined weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer isn’t more than 3,500kg.
If you want to tow a trailer weighing more than 750kg, when the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer is more than 3,500kg, you’ll have to pass a further test and get B+E entitlement on your licence.
You’ll then be able to tow trailers up to 3,500kg.
Licences held from 1 January 1997.
- If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can drive either:
- A vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500 kilograms (kg) Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (with a combined weight of up to 4,250kg in total)
- A trailer over 750kg MAM as long as it is no more than the unladen or ‘kerb’ weight of the towing vehicle (with a combined weight of up to 3,500kg in total)"
Example -
Year driving test passed - 2005.
Category B on License.
Towing vehicle: Vauxhall Vectra CDTI - Weight 1500kg
Caravan: Single Axel - Weight: Unladen 800Kg, Max Laden Weight 1000Kg.
Quote: Originally posted by Battie on 02/2/2013The instructors informed me that 3500kg is max. Over that and you are driving with no license which invalidates your insurance also.
It does not invalidate your licence or insurance.
I never said it invalidated your license I said you are driving with no license. Same as if you jump in a hgv without doing a test. You may be able to drive it but you don't have a license therefore you will be prosecuted. If you had an accident without the correct.license your insurance will use that to get out of a payout.
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Topic: B+E TEST
