Car and Trailer Training B+E

2 DAY CAR AND TRAILER TRAINING COURSE - DVA APPROVED DRIVING INSTRUCTORS 

NO THEORY TEST IS REQUIRED

Failure to comply with regulations could leave you liable to a fine, penalty points and invalidate your insurance

Towing trailers or caravans with vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes 
 
On this page reference is made to the Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of vehicles and trailers. This should be taken to mean the permitted maximum weight, also known as the gross vehicle weight. 

 

Department For Infrastructure Official Advice: DVANI CARAVAN/TRAILER TOWING GUIDE



Category B: Vehicles up to 3,500kgs MAM and with up to eight passenger seats

A category B vehicle may be coupled with a trailer over 750kgs MAM, provided the combination does not exceed 3,500kgs MAM. Or it could be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM, provided the combination does not exceed 4,250kgs MAM.

Vehicle manufacturers normally recommend a maximum weight of trailer proper to their vehicle, details can usually be found in the vehicle's handbook or obtained from car dealerships.

An exemption from the above combination weight limits allows a category B licence holder to tow a broken down vehicle from a position where it would cause danger or obstruction to other road users.

Category B+E: Vehicles up to 3,500kgs MAM, vehicle-trailers combinations not specified within category B entitlement

Category B+E allows vehicles up to 3,500kgs MAM to be combined with trailers more than 750kgs MAM, but not exceeding 3,500kgs MAM and the total weight must not be more than 7,000kgs MAM.

Construction and use regulations may also apply.

In order to gain this entitlement category B licence holders, who took their category B test on or after 1 January 1997, have to pass a further practical test for category B+E. Category B licence holders who took their test before this date already hold B+E entitlement. There is no category B+E theory test.

Drivers before 19 January 2013 – Category B+E

If you passed a category B+E test before 19 January 2013 (within the UK) you will retain your existing entitlement where the trailer you tow may be heavier than 3,500kg MAM providing construction and use regulations are not infringed. 
                 

The Car and Trailer Test (B+E) lasts for approximately 1 to 1½ hours and is conducted at one of the following DVA Northern Ireland Test Stations:

Belfast

Craigavon 

L’Derry - Newbuildings 

Omagh

Coleraine

 

The Towing Test (B+E) includes:

 

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