How many hours do I need? This can vary from one individual to the next. It is entirely dependent upon your knowledge and understanding of towing a trailer. If you have no previous knowledge/experience, you are likely to require a minimum of 12 hours of training (12 hours for a novice tends to be a good guideline to follow). An individual with some knowledge and experience will generally require a minimum of 6 hours. Please remember you are tested to a standard that is far higher than today’s learner driver.
What does the B+E Trailer Test involve?
The B+E Trailer test will last somewhere between 70-90 minutes. It will start with a basic eyesight requirement test, followed by Five ‘’Show me, Tell me’’ questions on the basic mechanics and maintenance of your vehicle and trailer. The length of the test is dependent upon the individual driving. A minimum of 50 minutes will be spent driving on the road, dealing with all road types. You will be required to do a precise and accurate reversing manoeuvre, and you will also be required to demonstrate how to un-couple and re-couple your trailer in a safe manor, observing all key safety aspects.
What does the test cost?
The DSA weekday B+E Trailer test fee is £115. This is the fee we pay to the DSA to secure your test booking.
Do I need to take a trailer towing test?
Question…..
Did you pass your driving test after 1st January 1997?
Do you need to tow a trailer that can carry more than 750kg’s and is braked?
If you answer yes to both of the above questions then YES you do need to take your B+E Test to tow legally.
What am I risking if I am towing illegally, and I get caught?
At a minimum a slap on the wrist – This is if you are lucky!
3 points, and a Fine
9 Points, 6 points for driving without a valid driving license. And 3 Points for driving with no Insurance (If you have no license, your insurance is invalid).
As a worst case scenario,
You are found to be driving illegally, you have no valid Car insurance, You may be issued with 9 points, which could in turn lead to you losing your driving license, and therefore your Job, is it worth a risk?
What do I risk if my employees Tow and they do not have the correct entitlement on their license?
The driver may be taken to court by VOSA/Police. They may be given points as above. In a recent case we are familiar with, the driver was fined £300.
The employer however, is deemed responsible for the actions of his/her employees, whether he/she has knowledge in the subject area or not. In a recent case, the employer was fined £1000, in addition to this they were criminally charged. Are you willing to risk a criminal record? Would other business’ still do business with you if you had a criminal record?
Why is learning to tow so expensive?
If you break it down, it is no more expensive than taking a course for your working needs.
Putting it simply, there is a Car that has to be serviced, maintained, taxed, and insured with specialist insurance, there is also a trailer that has to be serviced, maintained and insured (Specialist). The trailer has to meet specific requirements for the test. And the Vehicle towing has to be able to carry the maximum allowed mass (MAM) of the trailer to be towed.
Due to the nature of towing a trailer, and towing constantly, the vehicles are put under much more stress and strain than normal vehicles that tow on occasions. This leads to increased wear and tear on the vehicles and greatly increases fuel consumption.
There is also a qualified driving instructor that needs to be paid for the job they do, once the above is taken into consideration.
Do I really need to allow and pay for 3 Hours for my B+E Test on the day?
Yes, you do. Simply put, you need to practice/warm up prior to your test. We allow an hour to practise/travel to the test centre. The test itself can run from anything between 70 and 90 minutes, there will then be a de-brief, and you then need to travel back to the base you left from. All in all 3 hours is required.
