Driving License B+E - test centres?

DJL · 28 October 2005, 13:22

I'm looking for a test centre in the Soton area that does the B+E test - can anyone recommend one?

Also, the DSA website says your supposed to turn up with a car and a 1000kg MAM trailer. Do any of the test centres have trailers that you can use? Otherwise i'm going to have to lay my hands on a trailer for the test.

LURCHER · 28 October 2005, 17:24

We recently sent one of our guys on a course at BIG WHEELERS in Reading.
He was an experienced driver who has been haukling grain trailers and farm equipment for ages . His assesment drive indicated he needed 3 days tuition to pass the test not how to drive ! The test is 1 hour long and quite ridiculous in its content . be prepared to have to do the most ludicrous things whilst hitching and unhitching the trailer . You are supposed to say ' I will now find a flat level area to stop and unhitch the trailer ' You will fail if you dont check all the lights are working before moving off all catches etc are secure the correct number plates is put on b4 you drive off but not before you hitch up ! The examiners must have failed the traffic warden test and are complete and utter t***s . Good luck you will need it .

Nos4r2 · 28 October 2005, 19:10

You'll need to not only lay yur hands on a trailer that has a visible manufacturers plate saying it's MAM is over 1000kg (harder than finding a 1 ton trailer) you'll have to make sure your car is legally allowed to tow it.

Rogue Wave · 28 October 2005, 19:34

Yoo cann borro one of our trailers if U want, Ben C has a friend who does the instruction

DJL · 28 October 2005, 23:36

Thanks guys

I've been having a read about the test and it seems fairly in depth, although i'm sure I do most of it already. I guess, as with most tests, its mostly about playing the game and saying the right words.

No problem with the car as long as the trailers not over 1200kg.

Stuart, thanks for the offer of the trailer.

I may take you up on that.

Can anyone clarify this trailer lark for me - just to make sure I need to do this test?

As I understand Cat B allows you to tow a car/trailer combo upto a MAM of 3500Kg, as long as the MAM of the trailer doesn't exceed the unladen weight of the car.

So, if I have a trailer with a MAM of 1500Kg, but boat and trailer only weigh 1000kg. When towing with a car: MAM 1600Kg, Unladen weight 1200Kg, Max Towing 1200Kg. I assume, even though the total MAM is 3100kg and the trailer weighs 1000kg, I need B+E because the MAM of the trailer exceeds the unladen weight of the car?

This seems stupidly complicated.

Nos4r2 · 29 October 2005, 20:14

Yes-but the biggy is that with a cat B you're not allowed to tow a trailer with twin axles unless it's below a certain weight (not sure how much-think it's 750kg but dont quote me on it). That's enough to bugger quite a few ribbers.

Tim M · 29 October 2005, 20:16

Doesn't matter how many axles it has. Its all done on weight. The actual figures are in the FAQ section on here. From memory the MAM has to be less than the unladen weight of the vehicle.

Nos4r2 · 29 October 2005, 20:20

Sorry-thinking about the C1+E licence not b+e. You're right.