Trailer Rules?

[lukewhiting]

Now ive got a car i want to tow my thundercat for myself...question is, can i do it on my liecence or do i need to do the test?? The rules & laws always confuse me
The hull weighs 85kg, outboard around 80kg, and the trailer is about 90kg so the whole load is approx 255kg.
I drive a 1.4 saxo (not the best tow vechile i know ) and the unbraked towing weight is meant to be 700kg.

So question is...can i just fit a tow bar and with some practice tow my boat or will i have to do the test??

Any help would be great!

[treerat]

When did you take your test? What does it say on your license about towing?

The law changed, my license would let me, anyone with a newer one won't.

[lukewhiting]

I passed 2nd april 2012 but being 18 only just been able to afford insurance!

[beamishken]

you need to take a test to tow a trailer sorry!

[treerat]

Taken from - https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/d...at-you-can-tow

Part 1:
Driving licence rules and what you can tow
The rules on what you can tow are different depending on when you passed your driving test.

The rules are changing for new licences issued from 19 January 2013 onwards.

Licences held from 1 January 1997

If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can drive either:

a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500 kilograms (kg) Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (with a combined weight of up to 4,250kg in total)
a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as it is no more than the unladen or ‘kerb’ weight of the towing vehicle (with a combined weight of up to 3,500kg in total)
For anything heavier you need to take a category B+E driving test.

Licences held before 1 January 1997

If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes MAM.

This is the weight of a vehicle or trailer including the maximum load that can be carried safely when it’s being used on the road.

You also have entitlement to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.

Licences issued from 19 January 2013

From 19 January 2013, drivers passing a category B (car and small vehicle) test can tow:

small trailers weighing no more than 750kg
trailers weighing more than 750kg, where the combined weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer isn’t more than 3,500kg
If you want to tow a trailer weighing more than 750kg, when the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer is more than 3,500kg, you’ll have to pass a further test and get B+E entitlement on your licence.

You’ll then be able to tow trailers up to 3,500kg.

Towing heavier combinations

If you want to tow heavier combinations, you’ll have to first apply for provisional entitlement to the new C1+E entitlement. You’ll then have to pass the category C theory test and C1+E practical test.

Once you’ve done this you can drive vehicles and trailers with a combined weight of up to 12 tonnes MAM.

[lukewhiting]

"If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can drive either:

a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500 kilograms (kg) Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (with a combined weight of up to 4,250kg in total)
a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as it is no more than the unladen or ‘kerb’ weight of the towing vehicle (with a combined weight of up to 3,500kg in total)
For anything heavier you need to take a category B+E driving test"

^^^^So reading that.....does that mean i can tow my thundercat?

[Boats&Outboards]

Yes!

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk ~ 07930 421007

[Tim M]

Originally Posted by beamishken

you need to take a test to tow a trailer sorry!

Incorrect.

[lukewhiting]

So i should be saving for a towbar not a test?? Thatll save some hassle & money!!

[Boats&Outboards]

You can tow upto a limit, which I think is 3,500 total combined weight to include car, boat trailer etc. obviously the car must also be rated to carry the weight (in this case clearly it will), plus trailer have brakes etc if applicable.

To confuse you further, if the trailer your using has a higher load capacity, this is what the car needs to be rated to carry, not what's currently on it.... I think

Either way its worth taking the test sooner or later, if you plan an upgrade in the future - plus it'll give you the basic skills to get you started

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk ~ 07930 421007

[xs 400]

[QUOTE=lukewhiting;510886]
I drive a 1.4 saxo (not the best tow vechile i know ) and the unbraked towing weight is meant to be 700kg.

I'd check that! 700kg unbraked sounds very high for a saxo.

[beamishken]

sorry forgot about the weight!

[lukewhiting]

[QUOTE=xs 400;510909]

Originally Posted by lukewhiting

I drive a 1.4 saxo (not the best tow vechile i know ) and the unbraked towing weight is meant to be 700kg.

I'd check that! 700kg unbraked sounds very high for a saxo.

I found that on google but ive just emailed citreon to check. Even if it is wrong i doubt itll be lower than 255kg anyway

[Tim M]

It should also be in the cars handbook.

[mister p]

Luke,
I would suggest that to clear up all grey areas, you go to a police station, ask to chat to a traffic officer and highlight your dilemma.
They're there to help and if local will also advise as to local pitfalls and will be aware of you in the future. keep them on your side and they'll stay on yours.
Seriously though Luke, you could do a lot worse than hearing it from the guys that would stop you if you were doing something wrong.
And if they can't help, they will point you in the right direction.
You're already asking, so that's a big step forward rather than just not giving a **** and doing it anyway.

[Boats&Outboards]

Originally Posted by mister p

Luke,
I would suggest that to clear up all grey areas, you go to a police station, ask to chat to a traffic officer and highlight your dilemma.
They're there to help and if local will also advise as to local pitfalls and will be aware of you in the future. keep them on your side and they'll stay on yours.
Seriously though Luke, you could do a lot worse than hearing it from the guys that would stop you if you were doing something wrong.
And if they can't help, they will point you in the right direction.
You're already asking, so that's a big step forward rather than just not giving a **** and doing it anyway.

Hahahaha they have even less of a clue than us lot do

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk ~ 07930 421007

[mister p]

Indeed, but Luke's 18 and I reckon he should start with making sure for himself that he's got the hang of the law.......it may be that Luke tells the Superintendent that he's heard otherwise and a debate starts up. At least Luke will have explored the options.
It's got to be a start.........maybe I'll have a go too, just to be sure that the cops know the law on towing!!!!!!

[mister p]

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

Hahahaha they have even less of a clue than us lot do

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ BoatsandOutboards4Sale | Hand-picked boats & motors, fully tested, delivered nationwide. ~ 07930 421007

I know, and it's them that'll be making your life a misery for all the wrong reasons unless we know more.

[lukewhiting]

Originally Posted by mister p

Indeed, but Luke's 18 and I reckon he should start with making sure for himself that he's got the hang of the law.......it may be that Luke tells the Superintendent that he's heard otherwise and a debate starts up. At least Luke will have explored the options.
It's got to be a start.........maybe I'll have a go too, just to be sure that the cops know the law on towing!!!!!!

Ive asked 3 officers so far...not one of them knew for sure but didnt think it would be a problem. Didnt really want to just go on "should be fine i think" though!

[Boats&Outboards]

Your best asking the dvla or department of transport. Even vosa. Either that or even a driving instructor who teaches towing ?

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk ~ 07930 421007