Towing after losing license for medical reasons (1 Viewer)

Mar 2, 2015
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Hi, after running the gauntlet of trying to decipher the wording on the DVLA website and trying to contact them (advice - don't do it!) I thought I'd ask my question here to see if anyone has any experience of our problem -

Hubby had a seizure on 10th December and, provided he doesn't have another, will hopefully get his driving license back after six months. We know he'll lose his C1 even though he passed his test before 1997 and will be restricted to 3500kg and we've resigned ourselves to having to change our lovely 4250kg Swift Bolero for a smaller van. We're also towers though - scooter on a side-loading trailer - and what I've been unable to find out is whether or not we'll still be able to tow on his renewed license. Or to be more accurate, whether we'll be able to tow *in addition to* the 3500kg (even if at a reduced limit of 750kg, making max of 4250kg in total) or if the total weight of both the van and trailer should be 3500kg.

I've read some threads here which seem to say that you retain your towing capacity after the age of 70 if you don't have a medical even if you lose your C1 driving category - but does the same thing apply to getting your license back if you've had it revoked for medical reasons?

Has anyone been in this position and can tell us what happened to them please?
 

Minxy

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@Judge Mental might be able to help as he is restricted to 3500kg due to diabetes.
 

PeteH

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I suspect you will not know until he gets the licence, checks the Category entitlement, and the looks at the endorsements.

In theory a B licence ONLY covers a Vehicle to 3.5tonne. IF it (the licence) comes with a BE. Then Towing a Trailer in addition, so long as it (the trailer) does not exceed the mass of the Motor-home is legal, unless the Manufactures limit is lower. So Theoretically your Train can be 7.0tonne or a lesser figure dictated by the M-H manufacturer (in my case 5t).

I have in the recent past had reasonably quick reply from DVLA By E-Mail?

Pete

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Last edited:

pappajohn

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In theory a B licence ONLY covers a Vehicle to 3.5tonne.
Plus a trailer up to 750kg .......OR.....no more than 50% of the vehicles unladen weight whichever is least.
B+E covers heavier trailers up to the vehicle maximum train weight.
C1covers up to 7500kg with a 750kg trailer.
C1+E covers up to 7500kg with heavier trailer to a maxim train weight not exceeding 8250kg
 
Mar 16, 2010
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I have a restricted licence on medical grounds and lost my c1 category
Looking at my licence I still have my BE to tow
image.png

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Judge Mental

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@Judge Mental might be able to help as he is restricted to 3500kg due to diabetes.

Sorry Mel but no help as I don't know re towing. Sure someone on here will know. I sympathize with the OP re DVLA as they are ignorant pigs. They suspended my license in October as I called them and said I'm coming off insulin. They never told me:(

Just had eyesight test silo should have it back eventually. Good news is it will not be restricted but still 3500, that does not bother me. If you want C1 you have apply just like a younger person.

All that said I feel reasonably confident towing will be allowed for the OP. Depending on capacity on new van. German vans lighter so will be more practical

Eddie

Edit: since I posted it looks like you may be OK
 
OP
OP
South_Wales_Lady
Mar 2, 2015
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Thanks everyone for the speedy responses!! So it looks as if we'll be able to run a <=3500 van *plus* a trailer, which is what we want.

This is the bit I've found confusing on the DVLA website:

===============
Category B+E
You can drive a vehicle with a MAM of 3,500kg with a trailer.
===============

I wasn't sure if this meant the MAM referred to just the vehicle or the vehicle and trailer together.

Pete - I emailed the DVLA and they replied very quickly to say that they couldn't help and to direct me to another part of the DVLA website where the email link didn't work. Mailed back to the first lot to say this and all they did was send me that email link again. Doh!!

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Judge Mental

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Sorry Mel but no help as I don't know re towing. Sure someone on here will know. I sympathize with the OP re DVLA as they are ignorant pigs. They suspended my license in October as I called them and said I'm coming off insulin. They never told me:(

Just had eyesight test silo should have it back eventually. Good news is it will not be restricted but still 3500, that does not bother me. If you want C1 you have apply just like a younger person.

All that said I feel reasonably confident towing will be allowed for the OP. Depending on capacity on new van. German vans lighter so will be more practical

Eddie

Edit: since I posted it looks like you may be OK

In fact just checked my restricted 3 yearly license and still have my BE entitlement!. does that mean I can pull a Smart of a trailer:D

So looks like the OP will be OK.....
 
Feb 22, 2008
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I lost my C1+E but kept B+E which allows 3500kg gvw & a gtw up to 11000kgs and subject to the limit of the towing vehicle.

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Khizzie

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All good news ,but don't hold your breath about getting your license back very quickly...my son had a very small seizure ,lost his license, sorry to say they faffed about for three years even after the consultant said there little or no chance of another seizure..a d when he did get it back it was restricted and only a three year license to boot ..hope your application to get it back goes easier than my sons did..
 

Judge Mental

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Anyone hazard a guess as to what a smart on trailer weighs plse. I asked on another thread but can't find it....

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pappajohn

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Just checked and It was, but recent changes are if test passed before 2013 with B+E you can tow any size trailer :Eeek:
Not recent changes Larry.
Pre 1997 licence was the same.
The only restriction is the towing vehicles train weight....And that restriction cant be altered no matter what licence you hold or when test taken.
 
Feb 22, 2008
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Not recent changes Larry.
Pre 1997 licence was the same.
The only restriction is the towing vehicles train weight....And that restriction cant be altered no matter what licence you hold or when test taken.

So gtw pre 1997 11,000 kgs then John (y)

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JohnH

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When I when I reached 70 I did not want the hassle of a medical so lost the C1 entitlement.
I can still drive a car/motorhome up to 3500kg and pull a trailer of equal weight. Obviously not a sensible thing to do.
So I drive a 7-seater Hyundai Santa Fe pulling a 1300kg caravan. They both come out at a total of 4200kg.
So I don't think you need to worry.
 

Minxy

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Anyone hazard a guess as to what a smart on trailer weighs plse. I asked on another thread but can't find it....
Kerb weight for a Smart ForTwo is aprox 750kg, and depending on trailer probably around 300kg, so 1050kg.
 
2

2657

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Not recent changes Larry.
Pre 1997 licence was the same.
The only restriction is the towing vehicles train weight....And that restriction cant be altered no matter what licence you hold or when test taken.

Wrong I am afraid, it takes seconds to check the facts with a google search.

Pre 19th Jan 2013 B&E can tow any trailer

Post 19th Jan 2013 limited to trailer mam of 3500kg

No mention now of 1997

Can't do the link or cut & paste on this tablet but just google licence categories.
 

pappajohn

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Frayed knot.

Train weight is what the tow vehicle manufacturer dictates....nothing to do with a pre determined 'across the board' figure.

DVSA do not stipulate maximum trailer weight for B+E.
VWAlan explained it well.

7500kg Mitsubushi with a train of 11000kg
Downrate the truck to 3500kg but it retains the 11000kg train regardless of the lower gross weight.
Deduct the new gross ..3500kg.. from the train ..11000kg....leaves 7500kg
You can legally tow a 7500kg trailer behind a 3500kg truck.

As somebody once said.....the law is an ass.
 
Feb 22, 2008
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Wrong I am afraid, it takes seconds to check the facts with a google search.

Pre 19th Jan 2013 B&E can tow any trailer

Post 19th Jan 2013 limited to trailer mam of 3500kg

No mention now of 1997

Can't do the link or cut & paste on this tablet but just google licence categories.

Thats what I got on googley

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pappajohn

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Pre 19th Jan 2013 B&E can tow any trailer

That is not possible.
The train weight of ANY vehicle CANNOT be exceeded under any circumstances.
So, a Ducato with a trailer allowance of 2000kg (5500kg train) can only tow max of 2000kg.....not a kilo more, which negates DVSAs 'any trailer' statement.

DVSA have a knack of badly wording the rules.
 
2

2657

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That is not possible.
The train weight of ANY vehicle CANNOT be exceeded under any circumstances.
So, a Ducato with a trailer allowance of 2000kg (5500kg train) can only tow max of 2000kg.....not a kilo more, which negates DVSAs 'any trailer' statement.

DVSA have a knack of badly wording the rules.

I would agree with the bad wording but there is a difference between a licence to drive and the legality of a combination under the construction and use regulations.

I would think that any statement on licence categories has the implication that the vehicle and trailer comply with the C&U ( ie weight) regulations.
 

Autowbars

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Any driver with a full licence, auto, or manual can tow up to 750 kg max trailer weight.

Even if you passed your test today.

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