Car Licence Category allowances, towing etc

[plowsie]

Okay peeps, me and the missus are going to be getting a car soon. Could open the door to trailer the bike for trackdays as thats pretty much all I will be doing for fun from now on, maybe the odd rideout, but, the bike isn't going to have an MOT for a while, hence having to possibly trailer it for a day.

I'm pretty sure my licence won't allow it as it is, categories are A,B,B1,f,k,p. I've had my car licence for 6 months if this makes a difference (I think it may with what I'm about to ask).

1. What's my position with trailering? Is the test hard to do, if I have to do one?

2. Can I drive vans that I can rent without taking another test? (Bearing in mind I am only 20(nearly 21) and have only been driving for 6 months).

Thanks people.

[the_lone_wolf]

provided it's within the weight limits you should be able to tow a bike trailer, i checked mine before i started doing so and i was fine, just make sure the car is capable, torque = good, diesel is nice cause you won't have to rag it everywhere

edit: checked here:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_10013073

so long as the vehicle + trailer is under 3.5 tonnes you're good to go with catagory B entitlement

[Dappa D]

a van no problem, like a transit..its the same as a car.....

not sure about the rest though....

[appollo1]

Van hiring will be down to the individual hire company but your age will probably go against you.

B1 - what the hell is B1? Just had a look at my old pink paper license and I can't see what B1 is!!

[gruntygiggles]

Be safe and call the DVLA. If you do have to do any training, towing is a piece of pi$$.

[Alex_Chambers]

To drive a car with trailer you need a cat B + E license. It's not difficult as long as you haven't picked up a load of bad habits already.

As for renting a van, I think because of your age and experience you'll struggle finding anyone who will do it. If you have a mate who has a van might be worth asking to borrow it and just paying for a days insurance when you need it.

[the_lone_wolf]

B1 - what the hell is B1? Just had a look at my old pink paper license and I can't see what B1 is!!

3 or 4 wheeled vehicles weighing less than 550kg

comes with your bike test pass

[Swin]

B1 - what the hell is B1? Just had a look at my old pink paper license and I can't see what B1 is!!

B1 is trikes and quads etc

[edit] damn that TLW, too quick on the draw :)

[ricky]

yes you can tow a trailer but there are guides to follow,

one is the combined weight trailer fully loaded and car fully loaded must NOT be over 3.5ton

as for hiring a van yes you can on your licence buts its the time you have had it and poss your age that dont help.

i have the same cats as you on my licence (not sure on b1) and i hired a luton out for the day without any probs and even got a pull form the old bill in it and didnt get questioned.

[the_lone_wolf]

To drive a car with trailer you need a cat B + E license.

only if the MAM is >3.5 tonnes or >8 passenger seats, which a car + bike combo certainly won't be

[plowsie]

provided it's within the weight limits you should be able to tow a bike trailer, i checked mine before i started doing so and i was fine, just make sure the car is capable, torque = good, diesel is nice cause you won't have to rag it everywhere

edit: checked here:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_10013073

so long as the vehicle + trailer is under 3.5 tonnes you're good to go with catagory B entitlement
Is it me or does that article make itself hard to read...:lol:

[the_lone_wolf]

Is it me or does that article make itself hard to read...:lol:
of course it is

to sum it up:

If the weight of the towing vehicle and trailer doesn't exceed 3.5 tonnes

and

the towing vehicle has 8 or fewer passenger seats

and

you meet all the weight limitations legally required for your car

you can tow a trailer on a Cat B entitlement

Anything heavier, or with more seats, will require B+E

[plowsie]

Gotcha :) Thanks wolfie :) Love you x

[gruntygiggles]

Is it me or does that article make itself hard to read...:lol:

Well, if you go to a track day and get pulled over, just say you had to recover the bike(s) from a position of danger to others!

[the_lone_wolf]

Gotcha :) Thanks wolfie :) Love you x

you too sweety:smt058

[Frank]

I could be wrong and probably am....but.....
I thought that nowadays you dont get an automatic right to tow a trailer on your licence.You have to do another test.
Doesnt bother us oldies

[gruntygiggles]

I could be wrong and probably am....but.....
I thought that nowadays you dont get an automatic right to tow a trailer on your licence.You have to do another test.
Doesnt bother us oldies

That's what I thought too, hence the advice to just call the DVLA. Loads of peeps on here have great and correct advice, but when it comes to law, better to be safe than sorry and hear it from the horses mouth.....as it were, so to speak!

[jimmy__riddle]

I could be wrong and probably am....but.....
I thought that nowadays you dont get an automatic right to tow a trailer on your licence.You have to do another test.
Doesnt bother us oldies

TLW is right.

the 'oldies' dont have the same weight restriction as young uns! we can still tow trailers but under the weight limits as above.

we can do a test to get the weight increased.

[the_lone_wolf]

That's what I thought too, hence the advice to just call the DVLA. Loads of peeps on here have great and correct advice, but when it comes to law, better to be safe than sorry and hear it from the horses mouth.....as it were, so to speak!

you both heard wrong

save yourself 15 minutes in a queue on an 0870 number and read their own leaflet on towing:

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/leaflets/inf30.pdf - see section 5

[gruntygiggles]

you both heard wrong

save yourself 15 minutes in a queue on an 0870 number and read their own leaflet on towing:

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/leaflets/inf30.pdf - see section 5

Cool, ta! That's cleared that up then!