Category B + E Licence (towing)

Happy Hour Driver Training can provide Cat B+E Trailer Training in Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. Here is Happy Hour's Step by Step Guide to obtaining your Cat B+E Licence so you ca tow a caravan or trailer.

Trailer Training

B+E Training Prices

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS:

The ability to tow a caravan or trailer will depend on the driving licence you hold.  The category entitlement on your driving licence will determine the type of trailer you can tow.  

No medical examination or additional theory test is required.

Car licences obtained before 1 January 1997 you keep your existing entitlement to tow trailers until your licence expires.  This means you are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,25 tonnes maximum authorised mass (MAM).  You also have the entitlement to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kgs MAM.

Car licences obtained on or after 1 January 1997

B = 17*
B = 17*
B+E = 17

If you passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 you are limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass towing a trailer up to 750kgs, or a vehicle and trailer combination up to 3.5 tonnes MAM providing the MAM of the trailer doesn’t exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle.  You will need to pass an additional driving test in B+E if you wish to tow a caravan or trailer combination which exceeds these weight limits.

CARS WITH & WITHOUT TRAILERS:

  • Motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3500kg having not more than 8 passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg.
  • Combinations of towing vehicles in category B and a trailer, where the MAM of the combination does not exceed 3500kg and the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle.
  • As cars, but with automatic transmission.
  • Combinations of vehicles consisting of a vehicle in category B and a trailer, where the combination does not come within category B.

*Age 16 if you are currently getting Disability Living Allowance at the higher rate (mobility component)

DRIVING EYESIGHT REQUIREMENTS:

Eyesight Requirements for Practical Driving Test:

  • Before the practical test your driving examiner will ask you to read the number plate of a stationary vehicle.
  • Requirement for the eyesight test using old style number plates is 20.5 metres or 20 metres if the new style number plate is used.
  • If you cannot speak English or have difficulty reading you may copy down what you see.

 

CAR AND TRAILER PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST:

The car and trailer test (B+E) 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 vehicle safety questions, an off-road reverse manoeuvre, a controlled stop, uncoupling and coupling of the trailer and driving on the on the road.

 

VEHICLE SAFETY QUESTIONS

These are basic safety checks that you should carry out to ensure the vehicle is safe for use. Although some checks may involve opening the bonnet to identify where fluid levels would be checked, you won't be asked to touch a hot engine or physically check fluid levels.

As vehicle technology advances, more and more vehicles are being equipped with electronic diagnostic systems, which inform the driver of the state of the engine fluid levels and tyre pressures. It will be acceptable for you to refer to the vehicle information system (if fitted) when answering questions on fluid levels or tyre pressures.
You 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 you answer all five questions incorrectly, a serious fault will be recorded.  Happy Hour Training Services will supply you with the safety questions.

 

HAPPY HOUR TRAINING COURSES

Happy Hour Instructor Trainers are all fully qualified Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and are LGV Fleet Registered through the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).  The training courses can be delivered over 2 days, 3 days, 4 days or 5 days with a practical test at the end.  The training programme will be structured to suit your individual needs and also structured to suit your individual needs and also structured to fit into your busy everyday life.   The training can be carried out on a one ne ratio or two ne ratio.  This will be down to the trainees discretion.


PUBLICATIONS:
We have a full range of Driving Standards Agency (DSA) approved books, videos, pc dvd roms available to purchase.

Trailer B+E Training

Happy Hour is the fastest growing driver training organisation in Scotland and are working closely with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and VOSA (the Vehicle and Operators service agency). We offer driving lessons in Glasgow, driving lessons in Edinburgh and driving lessons throughout Central Scotland, with male and female driving instructors in both manual and automatic vehicles. Happy Hour driver training services can be contacted on Freephone 08000525456.

Free taster lesson

Free hazard perceptions and theory test training

“I have been driving for 22 years, which I have always enjoyed. I was made redundant and had not worked for 14 months. I was losing hope of ever being back at work when a friend suggested that I train as a bus driver. I made enquiries about gaining the licence. I contacted Happy Hour and was invited to the local office just to have a general chat. I found this to be very helpful and it gave me a good understanding of what was required and how the training would take place. I then went on to pass the test with 2 minor faults. I have now successfully got a job with the Scottish Ambulance Service. I would like to thank all the Happy Hour staff for making this such an enjoyable experience.”
James Templeton