B+E Trailer Training in Birmingham
DID YOU KNOW .........
Unless you earned your Category B licence prior to 1st January 1997, you need an additional entitlement in order to tow a trailer with your car. We have laid out all the details regarding the various licence categories applicable to recreational trailer towing elsewhere on the site. If you need information about licence categories, please consult one of our other guides. In this guide, we will focus primarily on what you need to know about the UK towing test.
The towing test is conducted at certified testing centres throughout the UK. As you know, the government has made significant strides toward increasing the number of available testing centres by allowing private sector contractors to operate testing facilities for non-commercial vehicles. Nonetheless, there may be a wait time involved with booking your trailer test. Keep that in mind so that you have enough time to get your licence before you have a need to start towing.
What the Towing Test Involves?
There is only one test required to obtain a towing licence. It is known as the car and trailer practical skills driving test. Fortunately, there is no additional requirement of a theory test among drivers who will be towing recreationally. Passing the theory test to obtain a Category B car licence is deemed sufficient for recreational towing.
The practical skills driving test is essentially a scaled down version of the test professional lorry drivers must pass to get their licences. The entire test takes about an hour to complete; it includes a demonstration of both driving skills and general driving and safety knowledge. The following are included in the towing test:
- Safe driving on the road
- Reverse manoeuvres (off road)
- Controlled stops
- Coupling and uncoupling a trailer
- A series of vehicle and safety questions.
The vast majority of safety questions are directly related to the tow vehicle. Drivers will be expected to answer some verbally, answer others through a physical demonstration, and still others by combining both oral explanation and physical demonstration. For example, a driver may be instructed to lift the bonnet of the tow vehicle and explain how to check fluid levels. Another possible question might relate to demonstrating how a driver knows his/her indicators are working correctly.
The vehicle safety question portion of the test involves five total questions based on a ‘show me, tell me’ model. Answering a question incorrectly will result in a fault – up to a maximum of four faults. Answering all five questions incorrectly results in a serious fault being recorded.
All B+E courses include the use of our vehicle and trailer for B+E training and test purposes.
The B+E trailer towing test is based on the LGV driving test and lasts for approximately 75 minutes.
It is important to note that whilst you must be capable of carrying out the manoeuvres and exercises with the trailer, the driving part of the test is carried out up to the LGV driving test standard, therefore assessment and training will cover on-road driving to help ensure your general driving is beyond/above the required standard.
When deciding on a B+E towing course option it is important to be honest with yourself regarding your abilities, especially with reversing. If you have no experience of reversing a trailer then the 3 day B+E Towing Course allows more time to perfect your manoeuvring skills, therefore increasing your chances of passing on your first attempt. Consider the extra cost involved if you require a re-test.
Cost's For Training And DVLA Test Fee's
Our cost's for our training ar as follows.....
- £30 per hour this is USING YOUR OWN SUITABLE TOWING CAR
- £40 per hour this is USING OUR CAR AND TRAILER
The first lesson would always be a 2 Hour assesment lesson to determine how many hours you will require going forward.
Weekend sessions avalible to suite...
The DVLA test fees are seperate and are to be paid when your ready to test the fees total currently -- £115
Call us to discuss any further requirements or to book your B+E training with us