Car + caravan tests

mikey72

pstuart wrote: »

May I ask what you are going to tow and what with.

It is a common misconception that you need to take a towing test for a caravan.

The maximum gross weight you can drive on the new test is 3500kg (with a braked trailer) ie. my Mondeo estate and a very large caravan = 3000kg, so well within the limit of a 'new' licence.

Unless you are into very large 4by4s and travellers vans then you have no need for a test.

But the clause

"The weight of the trailer, when fully loaded, can’t weigh more than the unladen weight of the vehicle"

Can rule out a lot of the larger vans, if the Mondeos unladen weight is around 1400kg, so that's only smaller/medium caravans.
If your total weight is 3000kgs, you may fall foul of it.

pstuart

mikey72 wrote: »

But the clause

"The weight of the trailer, when fully loaded, can’t weigh more than the unladen weight of the vehicle"

Can rule out a lot of the larger vans, if the Mondeos unladen weight is around 1400kg, so that's only smaller/medium caravans.
If your total weight is 3000kgs, you may fall foul of it.

Many thanks for the 'advice', I have a Mondeo 163ps Powershift Estate and I passed my test before 1997.

What towcar of the year 2011, Mondeo class up to 1725kg.

But yes the previous Mondeo will legally pull up to 1400kgs on a new licence and will embrace most old caravans.

mikey72

Wasn't really "advice".

It was just the full terms of the licence category for anyone who wants to tow.
Be a shame if the op bought a 1500kg caravan based on a combined weight of 2900kg, then got pulled over for it.

heather2409

Not sure if they still do, but the Camping & Caravan Club used to run 1 day towing courses for caravans. went onone myself a few years ago and it was well worth it!

forgotmyname

Thats only a training course though isn't it? Not the actualt test to gain the extra category on your
licence.

gpc273

The test will be as follows OP.

The test will take place at a vocational test site NOT your local car test centre.
The examiner will check BOTH parts of your licence and then ask you to read a number plate.
Then its 5 show me/tell me questions, unlike the car/bike tests if you get them all wrong its a fail. But they are easily found via Google and they ain't rocket science.
After that you will be given a briefing on the reverse exercise, which involves driving forwards 5 vehicle and trailers lengths and stopping between 2 cones that are 1.5 times the widthof your vehicle. From that point its a blind side reverse past a cone and pole and then into a marked bay stopping with the rear of the trailer in the yellow box.
It sounds over complicated when written out like this but again Google it for a LGV reversing exercise diagram and it is simple. But get some practise, you WILL be nerv ous on the day.
After the reverse its out onto the road for a minimuim of 50 minutes driving during which you'll be asked to carry out an angled start from behind a parked car. You'll also stop normally on the side of the road at least twice, a downhill and uphill start, the drive will also have a short section of independant driving either following signs or verbal directions.
Then back to the test centre for the issueing of your pas certificate, simples.

Hazel2705

Thankyou, that is very helpful. Think I might get some lessons first for the road driving section. I didn't think I would be having to do another driving test again in my life!!! I fear I have picked up many bad habits over the years :rotfl:

I was talking to my work colleagues today and it occurred to me that I wouldn't legally be able to tow a broken down vehicle home based on the weights.

mikey72

Hazel2705 wrote: »

Thankyou, that is very helpful. Think I might get some lessons first for the road driving section. I didn't think I would be having to do another driving test again in my life!!! I fear I have picked up many bad habits over the years :rotfl:

I was talking to my work colleagues today and it occurred to me that I wouldn't legally be able to tow a broken down vehicle home based on the weights.

Depends on how you define

"An exemption from the driver licensing trailer limit allows a category B licence holder to tow a broken down vehicle from a position where it would otherwise cause danger or obstruction to other road users."

Strictly speaking you can only tow it to the next carpark or garage.

Hammyman

Hazel2705 wrote: »

Thankyou, that is very helpful. Think I might get some lessons first for the road driving section. I didn't think I would be having to do another driving test again in my life!!! I fear I have picked up many bad habits over the years :rotfl:

Make sure your instructor teaches you how to do a downhill start correctly for the B+E test. It is completely different to a normal start for the car test.