New licence towing rules

[Realist]

Hi all,

Quick question.

Since 15th November those that past their test after 1996 now automatically have B&E category added to their licences allowing them to tow over 3.5t.

If that’s the case would this also apply to driving a Motorhome over 3.5t?

Thanks.

 

[Realist]

Just seen this “A notice on the Government's website states: "The rules about what you can tow will not be changing on 15 November 2021.


"The change will be introduced at a later date, and as soon as possible.

"You must continue to follow the current rules until the law changes."

 

[Ivory55]

I can’t see it changing for motorhome over 3.5 as in the law would affect 7.5 ton drivers, cpc, taco rules etc

 

[busbuddy]

No change to 3.5t limit on driving

 

[pappajohn]

Since 15th November those that past their test after 1996 now automatically have B&E category added to their licences allowing them to tow over 3.5t.

With a B licence you are restricted to a 750kg trailer.
With a B+E licence you can tow a trailer up to a COMBINED (car AND trailer) weight of 3500kg..

The only thing the new law means is you no longer need to take a separate trailer test to tow a larger trailer
in effect, the B category has been scrapped and replaced with B+E.
New licence holders probably won't have a B category on their licence, only B+E.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[ElliesBoss]

I assume you have to send your licence off for update? Just thinking if you leave the country and get stopped by the police they will want to see B + E on your licence.

 

[Gromett]

With a B licence you are restricted to a 750kg trailer.
With a B+E licence you can tow a trailer up to a COMBINED (car AND trailer) weight of 3500kg..

Erm. I am not sure this is correct. I think a B allows you to drive a vehicle up to 3.5T and a trailer of 750KG or a bigger trailer if the total train weight is less than 3,500KG

A B+E allows you drive up to 3,500KG vehicle with a trailer not exceeding the weight of the towing vehicle?

 

[Gromett]

I just went to check I was correct in my previous post (I was pretty positive). https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories

 

[Gromett]

Just seen this “A notice on the Government's website states: "The rules about what you can tow will not be changing on 15 November 2021.


"The change will be introduced at a later date, and as soon as possible.

"You must continue to follow the current rules until the law changes."

Seems they have updated it again. Updated today it seems.

Towing with a car

Towing trailers, caravans and horseboxes with a car, including the weight and size limits, and what licence you need to have

www.gov.uk

 

[Gromett]

Hi all,

Quick question.

Since 15th November those that past their test after 1996 now automatically have B&E category added to their licences allowing them to tow over 3.5t.

If that’s the case would this also apply to driving a Motorhome over 3.5t?

Thanks.

I don't think anything has changed there. If you have a pre 97 license then you will have had to have taken the C1 test to drive up to 7.5T. In which case the towing limits remain the same as before.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pappajohn]

I just went to check I was correct in my previous post (I was pretty positive). https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories

View attachment 566676

View attachment 566677

Yes, you're correct.
Mixing up before 1997 and after 1997.

 

[pappajohn]

I don't think anything has changed there. If you have a pre post 97 license then you will have had to have taken the C1 test to drive up to 7.5T. In which case the towing limits remain the same as before.

View attachment 566681

Corrected it for you
Pre 97 C1 and C1E is automatically given under grandfather rights

 

[Gromett]

Corrected it for you
Pre 97 C1 and C1E is automatically given under grandfather rights

The OP was asking if anything had changed. From this I surmise he has a post 97 license and therefore doesn't have grandfather rights. If he did have grandfather rights he wouldn't be asking about the changes to the license?

 

[Realist]

I got grandfather’s, grandmother’s, class 1 HGV and any others just in case.

Just asking if it applied to motorhomes.