B+E Trailer Caravan and Horsebox Courses | Tuition | Lessons

Follow signs for Grimsby, at the 3rd roundabout take the 3rd exit for Victoria St. North, stay on this road eventually changing it's name to Peaks Parkway (A16) until you come to a roundabout, take 2nd exit, another roundabout take 1st exit then 2nd exit at next roundabout. Follow A16 until you pass a pub on the left (Jug & Bottle), take the next turning on the right Cheapside, follow for about 1 mile and the entrance to the airfield is on your right. You will see our sign and also one for Hedges Distribution. Turn right through the gate with our sign on it. Simply follow the unmade road until you reach the runway.

From Louth

Stay on the A16 until you see the sign for Tetney to your right. Cheapside is the very next turning on your left. (If you go past the Jug & Bottle pub on your right you have gone too far). Follow for about 1 mile and the entrance to the airfield is on your right. You will see our sign and also one for Hedges Distribution. Turn right through the gate with our sign on it. Simply follow the unmade road until you reach the runway.

You've passed your practical driving test so why do you need to take another test just so you can tow a trailer?

The licensing laws changed on 1st January 1997, if you passed your driving test before this date then you already have the B+E category on your driving licence, you therefore do not need to take the B+E driving test because you can drive with a combination weight of up to 8250 KG.

If you hold the B+E entitlement and would like to complete trailer course (perhaps you have a caravan, trailer or horsebox that you wish to tow but are new to towing or lack a little confidence when towing) then we have a course that will be tailored to suit your requirements. More on the caravan and horsebox courses including prices can be found here (no test at the end)

Prices for the B+E courses to prepare you for the driving test can be found at the bottom of this page or by clicking here

If you passed after 1st Jan 1997 you will need to read on.

You will more than likely need to take this test if you wish to tow a trailer with a MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass, which is it's fully loaded weight including the unladen weight of the trailer) of over 750 KG ( you can tow a MAM of under 750 KG which is something like a small Halfords go to the tip type trailer). Drive Safe's car trailer tuition B + E towing combination.

Now this is the complicated part because the above statement is not quite true. Your licence allows you to drive a vehicle up to a gross MAM weight of 3500 KG (3.5 tonne) you may also attach a 750 KG trailer to the vehicle making a total train weight or combination weight of 4250 KG (4.25 tonne), this is the maximum, you must definitely not go over this weight, this will include all luggage, full tank of fuel and occupants travelling, this is the only example that you may go to 4250 KG all other towing is capped at a 3500 KG combination.

Now let's get really confused. Say your vehicle is allowed to tow 1500 KG (this is the unladen kerbweight or the manufactures recommended maximum towing weight) and your trailer has a MAM weight of 1500 KG you are within your allowance of 3500 KG because the trailer does not weigh more than the vehicle towing it. However the recommended safe towing capacity is 85% of the unladen towing vehicle, so 1500 KG now translates to 1250KG, our advise is to never tow at 100% unless you are very experienced. You also have to stay under the maximum nose weight (weight on the tow bar when the trailer is attached) of your vehicle, this also can be found in your vehicle handbook under technical data.

But let's say your vehicle can tow only 1200 KG and you do not load the same weight trailer fully and it now weighs 1000 KG you will need to take the B+E test because the MAM weight of the trailer is still the same and is now over the max towing capacity of the vehicle. This example is my own to help you understand in 'plain English' however the information can be found on the DSA's website which can be read here. Once you have the B+E category on your licence this problem will simply disappear. This example is very realistic to people who wish to tow a caravan. Again you must not go over 3500 KG in total combination including all luggage, full tank of fuel and occupants travelling. To simplify this further click here to see our calculator.

When you pass the B+E entitlement there is no trailer weight limit under driving licence regulations but beware you must not exceed your vehicle's towing capacity. You may tow a trailer with a MAM greater than the towing capacity of your vehicle as long as the actual weight when the trailer is loaded is not.

Some websites will tell you that if you want to tow more than 750 KG you need to pass B+E, we have given you the above information so that you may decide for yourself if you need the B+E entitlement. As you can see this is not necessarily the case but if you intend to do a lot of towing either for pleasure or work related then it is advisable to gain this category for your peace of mind and ease of use.

Our instructor who teaches B+E is a DSA registered driving instructor and also holds a C+E (HGV class 1 articulated lorry, now known as LGV) and a D+E (bus and coach) licence and has spent many many hours towing around the UK as well as being an avid caravanner.

Ok so you've decided to take the B+E test, so what's involved and how much does it cost?

The car and trailer test is based on the lorry (LGV) driving test and lasts for approximately one hour. B+E tests are conducted at vocational (bus and lorry) driving test centres not 'L' test centres.
The towing test includes vehicle safety questions, an off-road reverse manoeuvre, uncoupling and coupling of the trailer and driving on the road which will include a 10 minute section of independent driving. You will be asked to perform an angle start, uphill start and possibly a downhill start. The test may also include dual carriageway driving. You will be trained in all aspects to cover these topics.

Click here to see a diagram the reversing manoeuvre. Click here to open the Show Me Tell Me questions in PDF format

All tuition is on a one to one basis with no other person sharing your time........basically 100% tuition devoted to you. Our towing combination is a Volkswagon Polo 1.4 TDi with a twin axle box trailer (a twin axle trailer is much more stable to tow and has a lot less movement than a single axle trailer which in turn does not swing as quickly when reversing meaning less steering movement to keep it going in straight line giving you much more control).

If you have good towing experience then a 2 hour assessment is advised so that we can see where we need to brush up your skills to be test ready.

Experienced Towing Courses

2 hour assessment £56

8 hour course for a driver with considerable knowledge and experience of towing £224

10 hour course for a driver with slightly less knowledge and experience of towing £280

12 hour course for a driver that has some knowledge and experience of towing £336

15 hour course for a driver that has some knowledge and experience of towing but needs that little bit more instruction for the test £420

Beginner Towing Courses

20 hour course covering every aspect of preparing you for the test £560

25 hour course for those that have not held a B cat licence for very long and wish to cover the above £700

Test Fees and Test Day Hire of Car + Trailer

DSA test fee is not included in any of the above prices and has to be paid when booking your BE test. Weekday £115

Test day vehicle hire (3 hours which includes a pre test 1 hour & 20 minute lesson) £84

Drive Safe are recommended by Couplands Caravans Ltd (Louth) to their customers for caravan towing tuition, as well as being an official exhibitor at their open days.
Map of our off road location

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