Is tehre such a thing? It seems to me the more I look the more complex the issues surrounding towing and its legislations are.
Question is I eventualkly started driving proper in the year 2000, I had been holding a prov license since a long time before, Im 30.5 now and got it on my 16/17th b'day but been able to drive since age of 13. I'm perfectly confident in my abilities to tow but since Im going to be towing a lot of cars about soon I thought it best to brush up on the law as theres a distinct difference between a trailer load of vegetation for the tip and a track car on a trailer on the motorway.
Problem is theres mention of needing trailer license after a certain dat but only on trailers above a certain threhold in a vehicle of certain threshold and various weight limits and speed limits etc. Ive searched all the usual places DVLA etc but to no avail can I find out a definate answer as to what I can and cant tow in what vehicle!
I even rang DVLA and asked and the girl who answered was slightly inept.
So, anyone know what the exact law is in leymens terms?
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you will find all the info here www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/What...7
basicaly if the trailer is over 750 kgs you need to sit a trailer test
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You might get a bit of info in...
www.towsure.co.uk
&
www.towsafe.co.uk
VB
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Its worth remembering that if you use a van/pick up with a trailer on the back that if the train weight exceeds 3.5 tonnes and its for commercial purposes then you need to have and use a tachograph. Even with a tacho then you are still subject to a 5.5 tonnes train weight limit. Booklet D100 which comes with licence application forms purports to have all the info you need. Looking at that info it appears that if you are towing behind a car and the trailer is below 750kg then it can be towed on a Cat B licence but if the trailer is over 750kg then you need Cat B+E but then you would need to watch the towing limit of whatever you use to pull the trailer
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I'm perfectlyconfident in my abilities to tow but since Im going to be towing a lot of cars about soon I thought it best to brush up on the law as theres a distinct difference between a trailer load of vegetation for the tip and a track car on a trailer on the motorway.
Off at a tangent, here's a few things I'd recommend you consider doing, when towing.
1) Buy a set of bathroom scales for the boot - that way adjusting the weight on the towhiotch is a doddle!
2) Keep lots of spare bulbs and fuses handy, and ensure that all trailer lights are working before and DURING the journey - every time you stop, give them a quick once-over
3) Take the car and trailer out one quiet day, and play about with (a) accelerating, (b) braking AND ESPECIALLY (c) distance perception - how far past the car you are passing do you have to be before cutting back in - takes a while to grasp. Motorways ain't too bad, but on non dual carriageways, the overtaking distance is muchly increased due to (a) and (c)
4) Practise parking the beast a lot!
5) Buy a decent quality set of chains and padlocks (or even a wheelclamp!) to secure the trailer. Any vermin with a tow-hitch will make merry if you leave the thing unattended for more than 2 minutes!
Likewise, if you have a trailer spare wheel, lock that up as well!
6) RE-LEARN to use your mirrors. Often vehicles lurk behind a trailer - for some reason tiny fiats or blokes on scooters are favourite! - and don't get seen. Also, be careful of pedestrians - their perception differs from other road users sometimes, and they'll walk between your car and the trailer!
Hope this helps.
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My main towing will be a small hatchback (205) on an A frame which I will be pulling with a rover 620sdi.
Rover handbook states max weight to tow is 1200kg, the 205 weighs in under 900kg (stripped for track use) and the way I read the law that means Im within my limits, problem will come when Im going to a ytrack thats not local I will have to use a proper transporter trailer for the motorways and this is where I may come unstuck. I'll have to dig out some info on trailers weight etc.
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