The Berkshire Driving School  
Minibus & Taxi tuition 
  105 Sutherland Chase, Ascot. SL5 8TE
  Call: 07917-666366
  john@berkshire-driving-school.co.uk 
  john@team-joker.com 

Trailers  Berkshire Driving School - Trailer Towing



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Trailer Tests to be abolished from Monday 20th September 2021

This has been a quick change to the testing system in order to increase availability for providing much-needed truck driver testing so everything is in a state of flux at this time.
Until the law changes later in Autumn 2021 you must continue to follow existing licence rules about what you can tow based on when you passed your car driving licence.

See our Blog for up to date information and a link to the GOV.UK official source.

As a result we will be suspending trailer training until further notice.

We do acknowledge that our training would still be useful so we will keep our collected wisdom available for viewing.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


THE FACTS

For the purpose of this discussion we are ignoring trailers maximum authorised mass of under 750kg

New drivers are restricted to driving vehicles up to a maximum authorised mass of 3.5 tonnes. A car pulling a trailer is considered to be one vehicle so must not exceed 3.5 tonnes. However a small (up to 750kg) trailer is permitted for any vehicle mass up to 3.5 tonnes.
Passing the trailer test confers +E trailer towing entitlement and doubles the maximum authorised mass for a car plus trailer to 7.0 tonnes.

MAM OF THE TRAILER

The maximum authorised mass of the trailer can be found by adding up the individual axle weights stamped on the trailer plate. This information is applicable for licence regulations. Once the driver gains +E entitlement then the actual mass of the trailer is the governing factor.

BRAKED WEIGHT OF THE CAR

The maximum authorised train weight of the vehicle should not exceed. This is stated in the V5C and on the vehicle plate.

THE DRIVERS LICENSE

What the driver is legally entitled to tow is stated on the driving license. Having determined that the car can legally pull the trailer then the driver must determine if he is licensed to drive the vehicle. New drivers can normally pull trailers with a maximum of 3.5 tonnes providing other legal requirements are satisfied.

You may want to be aware of these procedures

Click here for more information. The order of the test can vary but typically you start with the reversing manoeuvre.

THE REVERSING MANOEUVRE

GOV.UK's Reversing exercise diagram

Hopefully The Nottingham Driving School will not object to you watching their clear video on the B+E manoeuvre...

TRAILER DRIVING TIPS

The uncoupling/coupling exercise is usually carried out at the end of the driving part of the test. Note the following points for uncoupling...

And for coupling...

This driving school has produced an excellent video on recoupling and uncoupling for the B+E test...

The instructor has been extra careful to emphasise all the steps but in practice the examiners appreciate that the trailer had been driven to the test centre and was legal for that purpose. Do stop the engine, though when leaving the vehicle - better for the environment. Neither do you need to reverse all the way back to the side of the trailer. Just a little overlap is fine. Also no need to open the trailer - our sand bags are quite secure. Finally, you can use the reversing sensors to locate the cars' position. Go slowly when the beep starts, stop when you get a continuous note. You will be within range of the safety cable attachment.

.... And then the verdict. The Examiner will invite you to sit in the comfort of the car for this. He will count his marking sheet to check that you have fewer than 16 minor errors, you should have no serious or minor errors. Too many minors in the same row will be a fail as more training will be required.

top of page

Cost of training

See our description page in the Blog for latest fees : Our Charges

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE TRAINING

Please read, understand and practice the relevant parts of this page before your first session. It will save time.

FOR INFORMATION

BUSINESS or COMMERCIAL USE

Wording from 'Goods Vehicles' to 'vehicles used for carrying goods' was introduced a few years ago with VOSA so a Range Rover and Trailer carrying other peoples goods and having a train weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes could be lumped together with trucks exceeding 3.5 tonnes and the same tacho regulations and drivers hours restrictions apply. Thus if you have a business trailering other people's cars around the country you could be in competition with hauliers. You will therefore be bound by the regulations imposed on hauliers.
If so then read these...

OUR QUALIFICATIONS

Your instructor will have certificates of have gained the following levels or grades or have passed the following examinations and more besides -

top of page


Trailer FAQ

Click on this line for FAQ help

Clicking on this line expands our answer, click again to hide it.
Leave expanded if you wish to print the page.


1. What is the MAM?

The MAM is the maximum authorised mass (weight) also known as the gross vehicle weight. It is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of the maximum permitted payload.


2. What is a Tonne?

A tonne is a metric ton or 1000kg.


3. What are 'grandfather rights'?

Grandfather's rights are the continued rights to drive vehicles although the law has changed. New drivers with the same license will not be permitted to drive certain vehicles which had hitherto been allowed if that person had passed the test at an earlier date.


4. Give an example of 'grandfather rights'

Drivers who passed the test before 1 January 1997 are permitted to drive vehicle and trailer combinations up to 8.25 tonnes. They are also permitted to drive medium goods vehicles which have a MAM of 7.5 tonnes. Drivers who passed their test after this date are restricted to vehicle and trailer combinations of 3.5 tonnes MAM. They are also restricted to small trailers with a MAM of 750 kg, 3/4 metric ton.


5. What is the maximum weight a car or 4X4 may pull?

The DVLA should be your source when trying to find out what you can drive since the DVLA will update their web site as and when the regulations are altered.

Reference is made to the maximum authorised mass (MAM) of vehicles and trailers. This should be taken to mean the permissible maximum weight, also known as the gross vehicle weight.

So, three requirements need to be satisfied -

  1. The manufacturers impose a towing limit on the vehicle. This must not be exceeded.
  2. The DVSA impose a train weight depending upon the entitlements on your license i.e. 3.5 tonnes with the B category, 7.0 tonnes for B+E
  3. Other legal restrictions e.g.
    • lower speed limits for units pulling heavy loads
    • unbraked trailers must weigh less than half the weight of the towing vehicle
    • Without +E entitlement the MAM of the trailer must not exceed the MAM of the car
    • Abnormal loads may need special markings and other requirements
    • As for towing caravans, existing general guidance recommends that the laden weight of the caravan does not exceed 85% of the unladen weight of the car. In the majority of cases, caravans and small trailers towed by cars should be within the new category B threshold.

For example: Say that the unladen weight of a typical 4X4 may be 2 tonnes.
The manufacturer may authorise a MAM of 2.75 tonnes. ie it may be permitted to carry a payload of 750kg max.
Without trailer entitlement this leaves just 750kg for the trailer (ie a small camping trailer, usually unbraked.)
Clearly the 4x4 is capable of drawing a far larger trailer than this but the driver must have a trailer licence entitlement to do so

The vehicle weight is the maximum mass of the car plus trailer. Be aware of this so that you may comply with weight limit signs.
You should find that your trailer is marked with the unladen weight and payload. (Our present trailer has a payload of 1,000kg and an unladen weight of 276kg bringing the maximum authorized mass to 1276kg. This is just over the minimum driving test vehicle requirements.) Our BMW 120d has a maximum permitted towing mass of 1,200kg (as printed in the manufacturer's handbook) so is a good match for this trailer. When fully laden the trailer will weigh less than 80% of the car and therefore complies with the Code of Practice recommended by the Caravan Club.

If the trailer has no brakes it may have a maximum authorized mass of 750kg and may be driven by car drivers. 'L' plates and a supervising driver are not required. However the trailer must weigh less than half the weight of the towing vehicle's kerb weight.

Trailers with overrun brakes may have a maximum authorized mass of 3.5 tonnes if permitted by the manufacturer (as denoted by the plate). They usually have a maximum authorized mass exceeding 750kg and restrictions apply if the driver does not have grandfather rights to draw such a trailer - namely the front and rear of the vehicle must display 'L' plates and the driver must be supervised by a qualified driver. The trailer when loaded must not exceed the car manufacturer's design limit (see handbook). Note that although the vehicle may easily pull the trailer, legal considerations should be observed. Failure to do so would invalidate the insurance. For example a car plus trailer license will not allow the driver to draw a combination greater than 4.25 tonnes (3.5 tonne vehicle drawing a 750kg trailer). Above this mass a medium or large driving license is required to be held by the driver.


6. Does 'fully comprehensive insurance' cover all damage done by a driver?

No, for example, if a driver overloads a bridge, this is not likely to be covered by the vehicle insurance.


7. What are the current restrictions to car provisional license holders?

The vehicle must display 'L' plates and must not pull a trailer. Driving on the motorway is permitted but they must be accompanied by a suitably qualified driving instructor.


8. What are the restrictions applying specifically to trailer drivers?

These include not using the third lane of motorways and lower speed limits on many roads:

Weight restrictions may also apply.
Note that some vehicles (eg Ford Ka, Tesla Model 'S' or many small cars) are not ratified for towing trailers.


9. How does the car + trailer test differ from the car test?

10. How do I uncouple the trailer?

11. How do I recouple the trailer?

12. What is meant by 'vehicle security' when recoupling?

13. What is an 'anti-sway' device?

These are sometimes used on higher trailers to stop them swaying or snaking in the wind. They dampen the movement between trailer and towing vehicle.


14. How is snaking avoided?

Increasing the nose weight, fitting an anti-sway device, increasing the trailers tyre pressures and travelling slower will reduce this effect. Should this occur, braking will exacerbate this. Drive sympathetically and lift off the accelerator should this should occur. Consider accelerating if a transitory gust is the cause of the problem.


15. What compatibility issues are important?


16. Is the weight on the tow bar important?

The weight should be such so that it can be coupled up to the car without too much effort. Excessive weight on the tow bar will set the car head lights too high and make the steering dangerously light.

Too little weight will make the combination snake the coupling may bang when going over bumps and the rear of the car will be excessively bouncy.

A nose weight of between 50 to 100kg should be considered. The load on the trailer may be re-distributed to achieve this.


17. What is a jack knife and how do I correct it?

Jack knifes come in two forms. Firstly, when reversing, the angle of the trailer can become so acute that the driver will not be able to recover when on full lock. Driving forward and straightening will sort this out.

A second type is a dangerous condition caused by the driver slowing down too sharply when cornering. The trailer goes straight on and pushes the back of the car round. If the driver had braked on the straight and accelerated gently when cornering, this could have been avoided. If the driver is lucky and catches the situation in time then accelerating might restore stability.


18. What is 'brake fade' and how do I avoid it?

Hot friction material may lose its efficiency when hot or metal parts distort slightly. Old hydraulic fluid may produce bubbles if subjected to heat, air is squashy.

Cars have disk brakes which do not suffer brake fade since they offer superior cooling and brake disks expand towards the pads. Trailers have drum brakes which can overheat causing the drums to expand away from the brake shoes.

When approaching long descents trailer drivers should keep their brakes cool by ...


19. When driving off, what is the most important safety concern?

Visibility is restricted so be vigilant with your observation by checking ALL mirrors and looking round effectively, covering all sides of the vehicle. Watch out for pedestrians stepping over the tow hitch!


20. What restrictions apply to trailer drivers?

21. are the vehicle safety questions published?



22. How do I check the details on my license now that the paper counterpart is no longer a legal document?

This link will get you the required information - www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence


top of page


Site Feedback

If you would like further information or to comment on this topic please email us.
 


07917-666366
Please note all information on this site is as correct as best endeavours can make it (Errors and Omissions excepted).
Copyright John Silvester ©2024. Please report website problems to webmaster Neil Manuel
Website revised on Saturday 24th March 2012. Last edited on Wednesday 3rd January 2024.