Car & Trailer B+E Test
Do you have a licence to tow?
Car licences obtained before 1 January 1997
All drivers who passed a car test before 1 January 1997 retain their existing entitlement to tow trailers until their licence expires. This means they are generally permitted to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes MAM (maximum authorised mass). They also have entitlement to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750 kgs MAM. Holders of B+E can drive a category B vehicle with a manufacturers MAM up to 3500kgs, the towing vehicle must be plated by the manufacturer to tow a trailer up to 3500kgs, 7000kgs combined.
LCD Driving Academy offers refresher courses to those who already have the licence entitlement, but want to gain towing experiences or even improve their existing towing or manoeuvring skills.
Car licences obtained on or after 1 January 1997
Driving licence law changed on 1st January 1997. Normally anyone who passed their first UK car (B category) driving test after this date must pass a separate Car and Trailer Test (B+E category) to tow a trailer above 750kg. Failure to comply with this could leave you liable to a fine, penalty points and invalid insurance.
Whether you intend to tow a caravan, horsebox, boat or plant trailer, LCD Driving Academy has fully qualified Driving Vehicle Agency (DVA) instructors with a wealth of experience in car, LGV & PCV vehicles, to help guide you through your training and the test.
LCD Driving Academy covers car and trailer training in Northern Ireland and trains all its clients to an exceptionally high standard. An initial on-road driving and reversing assessment, will determine your training needs. A course will then be structured specifically for the trainee and advice will be given on a possible test date in Belfast, L’Derry, Craigavon or Omagh Test Centres.
For more information check out further detail on the nidirect website. All our courses are flexible to suit your personal commitments and requirements, or the commercial needs of your business.
Car and Trailer (B+E) Practical Test
The Car and Trailer (B+E) Practical Test is based on the lorry driving test and lasts for approximately one hour. Please note that B+E tests are conducted at vocational (bus and lorry) driving test centres.
The towing test (B+E) includes an off-road reverse maneuver, a controlled stop, uncoupling and coupling and driving on the road.
Car and Trailer (B+E) Eyesight Test
Clients are required to read a number plate at 20.5m or 20m if a new style number plate.
Safety questions for a car and trailer
Candidates will be asked five questions, which will be a combination of 'show me' and 'tell me'. A driving fault will be recorded for each incorrect answer to a maximum of four driving faults. If the candidate answers all five questions incorrectly, a serious fault will be recorded.
To book an assessment drive, trailer training course or one of our half or full day courses call LCD Driving Academy (028) 777 62200 or 078 0319 7737. Further details are available by clicking onto www.nidirect.gov.uk
Towing Safety Guide
The guide includes:
Road safety tips if you are driving a long vehicle or towing a trailer
Information on towing regulations
What you can town with your licence
Maximum weight you can tow
Safety checks before starting your journey with a caravan, horsebox or trailer
Testimonials
“Good man Lawrence Deehan for getting Jonny through the test. Jonny passed his car and trailer test for towing, compulsory for the younger generations......Give Lawrence a call if you need to book in for yours. Otherwise you may be breaking the law, it’s not worth the risk.”
“Having experience of towing and reversing trailers while working on the farm, I was surprised when Lawrence from LCD Driving Academy ‘claimed’ that I would learn something from his Car & Trailer training course. LCD Driving Academy’s course certainly did teach me a lot and with Lawrence’s great tutoring, I successfully passed the test first time. I was recommended LCD Driving Academy by various friends and although I had a 30min drive to his course premises, it was certainly worth the effort in my part. I am considering further driving courses and LCD Driving Academy will be my first port of call. I would without hesitation, recommend LCD Driving Academy to friends and family. ”
“I have just taken and passed my B&E test and would like to thank Lawrence for his expert tuition. I have been driving with a trailer for years but never thought the test would be as difficult as it was. After speaking to various other driving schools who said “a few hours tuition would do it “ I would strongly disagree with that and say that when i contacted Lawrence the information he gave me was completely truthful & accurate as the tutition and test proved. I would definitely recommend LCD Driving Academy to family and friends.”
