B+E Licence... What can I tow?
Discussion
Hi everyone, i've been looking at doing my B+E for a while now (I'm only 23, so new licence, no grandfather rights..) so I can tow my race car around without depending on my Dad to do it for me. I've had a chat with a local to me company who can do the tuition and arrange the test for the best price i've seen so far. When speaking to them on the phone, I asked "Once i've passed, what weight am I legally allowed to tow?" to which their response was "Whatever the maximum towing weight for your vehicle is".
Now I know that a good general rule is only to tow 80% of the maximum, but can someone please confirm this?
EG: Land Rover Discovery max. braked towing capacity is 3500kg, if I were to use said vehicle and tow 3500kg would I be legal?
Apologies if this seems like a silly question, but as i'm sure you're all aware... towing is a bit of a minefield.
Now I know that a good general rule is only to tow 80% of the maximum, but can someone please confirm this?
EG: Land Rover Discovery max. braked towing capacity is 3500kg, if I were to use said vehicle and tow 3500kg would I be legal?
Apologies if this seems like a silly question, but as i'm sure you're all aware... towing is a bit of a minefield.
The 80% rule is guidance only, usually for caravans due to their high sides and light weight making them prone to falling over. The company you spoke to are correct, you can tow anything within the maximum capacity of the car
When choosing a training company you want the best chance of passing 1st time, that may mean paying slightly more initially to a really good trainer, rather than taking endless attempts and spending a fortune.
Do you mind me asking who the company is? There are a few ropey ones out there, most are good though. PM if you prefer (I train B+E if you hadn't guessed).
When choosing a training company you want the best chance of passing 1st time, that may mean paying slightly more initially to a really good trainer, rather than taking endless attempts and spending a fortune.
Do you mind me asking who the company is? There are a few ropey ones out there, most are good though. PM if you prefer (I train B+E if you hadn't guessed).
It depends on the vehicle. Most have an advertised weight they can tow (braked and unbraked). Unbraked IIRC is 750kg regardless of what's towing it
Typically, a medium sized, front wheel drive can tow 1000-1500kg with just the driver and 3-600kg less with passenger(s).
Small 4x4 like a Freelander: 1800-2200kg
Large 4x4: 3-3.5 tonne
Not sure about rear-wheel drive cars - never had cause to investigate - but I've seen quite a few BMWs & Mercs towing trailers with another car on, total trailer weight > 2 tonnes
But i have seen plenty of cases where people are towing beyond safe/legal limits. Astra estates used to be favoured for towing horseboxes (800kg+ 2 horses @ 500kg ea). Possibly safe, definately not legal and hilarious to watch trying to get through a muddy gateway.
So 4x4 can usually tow more than their own weight (short wheelbase landie can legally tow 3.5 tonne)
In answer to your question: Yes
Typically, a medium sized, front wheel drive can tow 1000-1500kg with just the driver and 3-600kg less with passenger(s).
Small 4x4 like a Freelander: 1800-2200kg
Large 4x4: 3-3.5 tonne
Not sure about rear-wheel drive cars - never had cause to investigate - but I've seen quite a few BMWs & Mercs towing trailers with another car on, total trailer weight > 2 tonnes
But i have seen plenty of cases where people are towing beyond safe/legal limits. Astra estates used to be favoured for towing horseboxes (800kg+ 2 horses @ 500kg ea). Possibly safe, definately not legal and hilarious to watch trying to get through a muddy gateway.
So 4x4 can usually tow more than their own weight (short wheelbase landie can legally tow 3.5 tonne)
In answer to your question: Yes
angoooose said:
Out of interest, what are the rules for being a B+E learner? Can your dad sit beside you as he has the necessary category on his licence and you have tow vehicle and trailer?
Yes, providing L plates are displayed and the supervising driver has held the licence for over 3 years.WilliamWoollard said:
angoooose said:
Out of interest, what are the rules for being a B+E learner? Can your dad sit beside you as he has the necessary category on his licence and you have tow vehicle and trailer?
Yes, providing L plates are displayed and the supervising driver has held the licence for over 3 years.TAHodgson said:
Hi everyone, i've been looking at doing my B+E for a while now (I'm only 23, so new licence, no grandfather rights..) so I can tow my race car around without depending on my Dad to do it for me. I've had a chat with a local to me company who can do the tuition and arrange the test for the best price i've seen so far. When speaking to them on the phone, I asked "Once i've passed, what weight am I legally allowed to tow?" to which their response was "Whatever the maximum towing weight for your vehicle is".
Now I know that a good general rule is only to tow 80% of the maximum, but can someone please confirm this?
EG: Land Rover Discovery max. braked towing capacity is 3500kg, if I were to use said vehicle and tow 3500kg would I be legal?
Apologies if this seems like a silly question, but as i'm sure you're all aware... towing is a bit of a minefield.
https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categoriesNow I know that a good general rule is only to tow 80% of the maximum, but can someone please confirm this?
EG: Land Rover Discovery max. braked towing capacity is 3500kg, if I were to use said vehicle and tow 3500kg would I be legal?
Apologies if this seems like a silly question, but as i'm sure you're all aware... towing is a bit of a minefield.
The Gov said:
Category BE
You can drive a vehicle with a MAM of 3,500kg with a trailer.
The size of the trailer depends on when you passed your test. If you passed your test:
before 19 January 2013 you can tow any size trailer (it’ll say category ‘B+E’ on your licence)
on or after 19 January 2013 you can tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500kg
You can drive a vehicle with a MAM of 3,500kg with a trailer.
The size of the trailer depends on when you passed your test. If you passed your test:
before 19 January 2013 you can tow any size trailer (it’ll say category ‘B+E’ on your licence)
on or after 19 January 2013 you can tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500kg
The 85% guide is for caravans only due to their design = big bubble of air
You can tow on your current B licence but the plated/listed GVW of the vehicle added to the plated MAM of the trailer must not add up to more than 3500 kg
With a B+E licence you need to know the max towing capability of the vehicle and the max plated MAM of the trailer then use the lower of those two figures as the max actual weight which can be towed
In all cases whether towing with B or B+E the max tow capability and the max plated trailer weight must not be exceeded
The max trailer which can be towed is 3500 kg plated MAM weight - trailers over that need more than over-run brakes such as air brakes and now come into the LGV C1+E category
With B+E you can have a B category vehicle with a GVW of say 2750 and a towing capacity of 3500 towing a trailer with a plated MAM of 3500 with both vehicle and trailer loaded to their maximum
You can tow on your current B licence but the plated/listed GVW of the vehicle added to the plated MAM of the trailer must not add up to more than 3500 kg
With a B+E licence you need to know the max towing capability of the vehicle and the max plated MAM of the trailer then use the lower of those two figures as the max actual weight which can be towed
In all cases whether towing with B or B+E the max tow capability and the max plated trailer weight must not be exceeded
The max trailer which can be towed is 3500 kg plated MAM weight - trailers over that need more than over-run brakes such as air brakes and now come into the LGV C1+E category
With B+E you can have a B category vehicle with a GVW of say 2750 and a towing capacity of 3500 towing a trailer with a plated MAM of 3500 with both vehicle and trailer loaded to their maximum
Edited by R0G on Wednesday 7th December 08:39
And go to https://www.viewdrivingrecord.service.gov.uk/drivi... to see what your licence allows. I've got a provisional on motor bikes, road rollers and tracked vehicles 
I only passed BE driving test in August 2020, now I do not have a Car of my own, I used the Driving School Car & Trailer for lessons,
which were expensive, now I am a Novice driver, but there was a few things extra I did to increase my chances...which are...
1. In your own Car practice anything that your instructor marks you on (forward driving) which for example, Turning wide etc..and practice
the reversing on lessons when you have trailer attached.
2. Get 2 Hour lessons about a day before your Test Date & time...
3. Do 1 hour lesson before your test.
4. Finally....Youtube has plenty of videos of Towing....watch them and learn.....
Now when you start, you will probably find the reversing confusing.....as to start trailer turning left, you turn steering right,
and to turn the trailer right you turn steering to the left.....but here is a tip....put both hands on bottom of steering wheel and turn slightly left for
right turn trailer and vice versa.....but.....one more thing.....once the trailer is about half way turned into corner....then you steer in the direction its going...as in the correct way.
Any queries, Ask.
Brian
which were expensive, now I am a Novice driver, but there was a few things extra I did to increase my chances...which are...
1. In your own Car practice anything that your instructor marks you on (forward driving) which for example, Turning wide etc..and practice
the reversing on lessons when you have trailer attached.
2. Get 2 Hour lessons about a day before your Test Date & time...
3. Do 1 hour lesson before your test.
4. Finally....Youtube has plenty of videos of Towing....watch them and learn.....
Now when you start, you will probably find the reversing confusing.....as to start trailer turning left, you turn steering right,
and to turn the trailer right you turn steering to the left.....but here is a tip....put both hands on bottom of steering wheel and turn slightly left for
right turn trailer and vice versa.....but.....one more thing.....once the trailer is about half way turned into corner....then you steer in the direction its going...as in the correct way.
Any queries, Ask.
Brian
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