Licence advice required

AliG1966
AliG1966 Forum Participant Posts: 4
edited August 2022 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

Hi All, new member just bought our first caravan and looking for advice regarding my wife's entitlement to tow the van. I passed my test before 1997 so I am good for up to 8250kgs

We have a LR Discovery 4 and Elddis Xplore 586 with a combined kerb weight of c. 3750kgs

We are aware that the previous limits on towing were a maximum combined weight of 3500kgs but there seems to be conflicting info online regarding the changes since the B+E test was withdrawn last year.

Depending what we read it's either still a combined weight of 3500kgs and/or it's a trailer up to 3500kgs (which would of course mean that the towing vehicle would have to weigh zero)

Logic tells me that the new combined weight limit should be 7000kgs (maximum of 3500 for the towing vehicle plus 3500 for the trailer) but I can't find anything concrete. I have tried calling the DVLA but with waiting times of over an hour and a job to do I can't afford the time.

Can anyone explain in simple terms the maximum combined weight my wife is permitted, and if it's still 3500kgs does that mean she'd have to do a C1 test to tow our van with the current towcar?

Alan.

 

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2022 #2

    Unfortunately, the club does not seem to have updated its info about licences in the Advice & Training section so I'm no wiser than you.

    I assumed it would be the same as for those of us who passed our tests prior to 1997 but assumption is not a lot of help.

    Why not give the club a ring and ask? Probably the Technical Section.

  • GTrimmer
    GTrimmer Club Member Posts: 169 ✭
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    edited August 2022 #3

    All you need to know is on the Government web site here  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-rules-for-towing-a-trailer-or-caravan-with-a-car-from-autumn-2021

  • LLM
    LLM Forum Participant Posts: 1,555 ✭✭
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    edited August 2022 #4

    It is very clearly laid out in this Gov / DVLA document:

    New rules for towing a trailer with a car from 16 December 2021

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2022 #5

     That's clarified it.

    "If you passed your car driving test from 1 January 1997, you’re now allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM"

    Obviously that's subject to the legal limits of the towing vehicle.

  • LLM
    LLM Forum Participant Posts: 1,555 ✭✭
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    edited August 2022 #6

    Deleted User by me.  It's not worth discussing.  

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 2022 #7

    Note that although a test is no longer required in order to get BE entitlement on a Category B licence in the UK, if you ever want to go abroad, the licence does have to be updated to show BE entitlement.

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