Bit Confusing and not very Clear on DVLA site , So I passed after 1997 , 2003 to be precise, so before I could drive a vehicle up to 3500kg and a trailer up to 750kg so total 4250kg. New rules are I assume the 750kg trailer has been upped to 3500kg and the 3500kg Vehicle stays the same as before so total 7000kg? Instead of 4250kg?
It seems like the UK (my country of birth) has gone a bit crazy on several fronts. Here in Queensland Australia on an open car license you can drive a vehicle with a gross vehicle mass of 4.5 tons plus any trailer it is permitted to tow up to the gross combined vehicle mass of that vehicle. We don't seem to have an excessive amount of car + caravan accidents. We also only require roadworthy certificates when selling a vehicle. Saying that in my job we received driver training every year & I found it very useful.
At 3:43 you say that your fear is huge and horrible accidents on the motorway. Since 1997 is there any statistics showing accidents involving large trailers with pre 1997 drivers and post 1997 drivers?
Still not clear mate.. so I passed between 1997 and 2013. So I could drive up to 3.5 ton including a 750kg as long as the trailer and load is less than 750kg, combined train weight less than 3.5 ton. So now is the rule that I can drive up to 4.25 ton? How much of that weight is the load or trailer?
1:46 between 1997 and 2013 you can tow a MAM of 4,250kg 2:40 passed from 1997 you can tow a MAM of 3,500kg So that means I can't tow as much as before?????
@sideshow44 I agree I believe the speaker made a mistake, omitting that the Dvla suggests the new law to come is a driver passing their test after 1997 will now be allowed to drive vehicle of 3500kg mam PLUS a trailer of 3500kg MAM (7000kg total) Taken from Dvla website today: “What will change later in 2021 If you passed your car driving test from 1 January 1997, you’ll be allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM when the law changes. DVLA will update your driving licence record to show that you’re allowed to tow trailers. You’ll get category BE added to your driving licence when you get a new photocard driving licence. You do not need to contact DVLA for this to happen. It will be done automatically.”
I’m very much glad about the change in rules because like most car related things it’s very unfair to my age group (19) and for my gardening business I need to tow a lawn tractor and other tools etc and it wasn’t going to work with he VERY heavy saloon car I bough and spent a fortune insuring got plenty of power which despite the fact that I’m more careful than my gran (that takes some beating) it still cost me £1800 to insure
@@Slingsshootingandcamping Good point, most people don't get further training as it's not compulsory. As it happens, Matt went on to take his HGV test so he did get further training.
Indeed! Even a 4½ entitlement would have been sensible for motorhome drivers. 3½t towing 3½t is only dangerous if the driver doesn't know what they're doing.
I still don't understand it. I can get in either my transit or car and tow a trailer and load that weighs 3500kg?(if my vehicle says it's safe) or am I getting it wrong. Getting confused with what MAM means
Licences issued from 19 January 2013 If you passed your car driving test from 19 January 2013, you can currently drive either of the following: a car or van up to 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total) a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg You’ve had to pass a car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier.
@@MotorhomeHolidayCo I believe the question is for the future, not as their license is now. The Dvla states the change will allow a driver to tow specifically “a trailer” with a MAM of 3500kg That is irrespective of the vehicle that to tie in with your statement about fast routes to lorry driving, the vehicle would also have a MAM of 3500kg s is permitted under cat B of the license irrespective of trailers. I’m pretty sure you won’t find an Ariel atom towing an ifor Williams twin axle?
I would say that you could have potentially added in the car requirement for towing, it’s all well and good that we will be able to do 3 1/2 and 3 1/2 but that is misleading if a 2 ton car can only tow 1.8 ton so to speak, worth people who don’t tow currently knowing every car has a towing limit and a tow ball limit!?
Very good point. There are also many other restrictions such as trailer length. But then the video would be an hour long! 😊 We wanted to flag the change, explain why and the basics of what. This has then started people thinking, asking questions and doing further research. We trust the approach has been a helpful start.
I passed in 89. Full motorcycle and car. Yup drive a 7.5. Tone. It never occurred to get trained to tow a caravan. It did occur to me to know the law. Caravan mirrors, trailer break-away hitch, and load any weight in the caravan in the centre over the axel, enough to put the regulated weight on the tow hitch. I never had a problem. It seems common sense to consider all these things if you care for your life and van. I suppose it was brought in for a generation who have a lack of grip of the reality of fast moving lumps of metal. Probably don't even check tyre pressure.
I’m 18 and passed my test just over a year ago and I am looking at towing with my car , it has a maximum train weight or MAM of 2.7 tonnes so does this mean I am fine as the legal limit currently is 3,500 MAM
No. You can currently only tow up to 750kg or a max gross mam of 3500kg. The change means you can tow 800kg given the mam of your car, but check the gov website for full details
@@MotorhomeHolidayCo my car is rated to tow 1.3 tonnes , I thought the current law was I could tow 750kg or above 750kg as long as the overall mass of the car and trailer combined did not exceed 3,500kg
@@josephellison7828 Yes that is correct as we understand it, you can currently tow over 750kg as long as the combined MAM of your car and trailer does not exceed 3,500kg. Sorry I think we misunderstood your first question! Always remember to check the gov website for your specific circumstance: www.gov.uk/guidance/new-rules-for-towing-a-trailer-or-caravan-with-a-car-from-autumn-2021
@@josephellison7828 its a load of bs mate. pass before 97 and there's basically no limit. our tests are way harder to back then yet were being restricted
Tom bedda, I’m not entirely certain this video or the reply is accurate. I think he’s confused himself. The Dvla states drivers passing after January 1st 1997 will after the change tow specifically “a trailer” with a MAM of 3500kg, no mention on the vehicle that’s towing it. Presumably the vehicle will remain with a MAM of 3500kg (as is set in CAT b of the license) in addition to the new trailer entitlement. Reading other replies from the video poster, he even discusses the fact that 3 1/2+ 3 1/2 is a large jump!
European Bureaucracy, in the US you can drive a Class A tandem axle 45000. Lbs with your regular license and a fifth Wheel, in my case 14000 using a dually F350, do I see accidents related to this rule, let's say in 15 years never saw not even one and drive to Florida in the winter months and take a look of the amount of RV's in general on the roads. Again this Bull crap law here is only making money to Driving Schools as far I see it.
It's easy to say that raising the limit could cause more accidents. Similarly u could argue banning all caravans from the road would cut down on accidents. 😊
It is indeed easy to say and no doubt banning all caravans would cut down on caravan related accidents! We wanted to start the conversation and raise awareness. Thanks for being part of that
I get the weight thing, but I've seen the utter carnage that occurs when anyone just hitches a trailer or caravan to their car. It's hilarious to watch on private land, but not great on the road
Bit Confusing and not very Clear on DVLA site , So I passed after 1997 , 2003 to be precise, so before I could drive a vehicle up to 3500kg and a trailer up to 750kg so total 4250kg.
New rules are I assume the 750kg trailer has been upped to 3500kg and the 3500kg Vehicle stays the same as before so total 7000kg? Instead of 4250kg?
It seems like the UK (my country of birth) has gone a bit crazy on several fronts. Here in Queensland Australia on an open car license you can drive a vehicle with a gross vehicle mass of 4.5 tons plus any trailer it is permitted to tow up to the gross combined vehicle mass of that vehicle. We don't seem to have an excessive amount of car + caravan accidents. We also only require roadworthy certificates when selling a vehicle. Saying that in my job we received driver training every year & I found it very useful.
Great insight thank you! Annual driver training is a brilliant idea
Does that mam of 3500kg include the kerb weight of the car + caravan weight + any luggage?
At 3:43 you say that your fear is huge and horrible accidents on the motorway. Since 1997 is there any statistics showing accidents involving large trailers with pre 1997 drivers and post 1997 drivers?
That's a great question! It would be very interesting to see those statistics if they exist. Anyone know?
Hi, can i tow a trailer when BE is not on my license ? I passed in 2015 ?
Thank you
Still not clear mate.. so I passed between 1997 and 2013. So I could drive up to 3.5 ton including a 750kg as long as the trailer and load is less than 750kg, combined train weight less than 3.5 ton.
So now is the rule that I can drive up to 4.25 ton? How much of that weight is the load or trailer?
Hi I passed my test in 1998 how much train weight as in car and caravan can I tow ?
1:46 between 1997 and 2013 you can tow a MAM of 4,250kg
2:40 passed from 1997 you can tow a MAM of 3,500kg
So that means I can't tow as much as before?????
When did you pass your test?
@sideshow44 I agree I believe the speaker made a mistake, omitting that the Dvla suggests the new law to come is a driver passing their test after 1997 will now be allowed to drive vehicle of 3500kg mam PLUS a trailer of 3500kg MAM (7000kg total)
Taken from Dvla website today:
“What will change later in 2021
If you passed your car driving test from 1 January 1997, you’ll be allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM when the law changes.
DVLA will update your driving licence record to show that you’re allowed to tow trailers. You’ll get category BE added to your driving licence when you get a new photocard driving licence.
You do not need to contact DVLA for this to happen. It will be done automatically.”
If my car is 2500kg, and I've passed after 1997, what is the maximum weight for my trailer.
I’m very much glad about the change in rules because like most car related things it’s very unfair to my age group (19) and for my gardening business I need to tow a lawn tractor and other tools etc and it wasn’t going to work with he VERY heavy saloon car I bough and spent a fortune insuring got plenty of power which despite the fact that I’m more careful than my gran (that takes some beating) it still cost me £1800 to insure
Same I'm being 2k
@BruceWayne-sz3th I can yes which is ideal as I've recently bought a classic car and I trailered it home myself saving ££££££
Quick question although you passed before 97 after 97 did you take a b+e
As Matt passed before 97 he didn't need to, his license had a b+e automatically added. No one had their b+e taken off after the law changed in 97.
@@MotorhomeHolidayCo yes I understand that but he’s on about being taught safely so did he decide to get taught safely even though not needed
@@Slingsshootingandcamping Good point, most people don't get further training as it's not compulsory. As it happens, Matt went on to take his HGV test so he did get further training.
Why they didn't reinstate the 7½t entitlement is beyond me. What's more dangerous 3½t towing 3½t or a 7½t lorry.
Indeed! Even a 4½ entitlement would have been sensible for motorhome drivers. 3½t towing 3½t is only dangerous if the driver doesn't know what they're doing.
Great clear presentation thanks.
Can I tow a food catering trailer ? I passed my driving licence category B in 2018
Yes if it's below 3.5ton
I still don't understand it. I can get in either my transit or car and tow a trailer and load that weighs 3500kg?(if my vehicle says it's safe) or am I getting it wrong. Getting confused with what MAM means
Licences issued from 19 January 2013
If you passed your car driving test from 19 January 2013, you can currently drive either of the following:
a car or van up to 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total)
a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg
You’ve had to pass a car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier.
@@MotorhomeHolidayCo I believe the question is for the future, not as their license is now.
The Dvla states the change will allow a driver to tow specifically “a trailer” with a MAM of 3500kg
That is irrespective of the vehicle that to tie in with your statement about fast routes to lorry driving, the vehicle would also have a MAM of 3500kg s is permitted under cat B of the license irrespective of trailers.
I’m pretty sure you won’t find an Ariel atom towing an ifor Williams twin axle?
I would say that you could have potentially added in the car requirement for towing, it’s all well and good that we will be able to do 3 1/2 and 3 1/2 but that is misleading if a 2 ton car can only tow 1.8 ton so to speak, worth people who don’t tow currently knowing every car has a towing limit and a tow ball limit!?
Very good point. There are also many other restrictions such as trailer length. But then the video would be an hour long! 😊
We wanted to flag the change, explain why and the basics of what. This has then started people thinking, asking questions and doing further research. We trust the approach has been a helpful start.
Couldn’t you say the same about the original license that had b+e also so there isn’t a difference really
I passed in 89. Full motorcycle and car. Yup drive a 7.5. Tone.
It never occurred to get trained to tow a caravan. It did occur to me to know the law. Caravan mirrors, trailer break-away hitch, and load any weight in the caravan in the centre over the axel, enough to put the regulated weight on the tow hitch.
I never had a problem. It seems common sense to consider all these things if you care for your life and van.
I suppose it was brought in for a generation who have a lack of grip of the reality of fast moving lumps of metal. Probably don't even check tyre pressure.
I’m 18 and passed my test just over a year ago and I am looking at towing with my car , it has a maximum train weight or MAM of 2.7 tonnes so does this mean I am fine as the legal limit currently is 3,500 MAM
No. You can currently only tow up to 750kg or a max gross mam of 3500kg. The change means you can tow 800kg given the mam of your car, but check the gov website for full details
@@MotorhomeHolidayCo my car is rated to tow 1.3 tonnes , I thought the current law was I could tow 750kg or above 750kg as long as the overall mass of the car and trailer combined did not exceed 3,500kg
@@josephellison7828 Yes that is correct as we understand it, you can currently tow over 750kg as long as the combined MAM of your car and trailer does not exceed 3,500kg. Sorry I think we misunderstood your first question! Always remember to check the gov website for your specific circumstance: www.gov.uk/guidance/new-rules-for-towing-a-trailer-or-caravan-with-a-car-from-autumn-2021
@@MotorhomeHolidayCo Thanks for clarifying this I was a bit sceptical about towing with my license
@@josephellison7828 its a load of bs mate. pass before 97 and there's basically no limit. our tests are way harder to back then yet were being restricted
Great video and advice.
Sorry to ask but just to be sure I can tow up to 3500kg with a vehicle that weighs up to 3500kg
No need to apologise as it’s confusing isn’t it! We will assume you passed your test after 1st Jan 1997. Under the nee rules the answer is no.
Tom bedda, I’m not entirely certain this video or the reply is accurate. I think he’s confused himself.
The Dvla states drivers passing after January 1st 1997 will after the change tow specifically “a trailer” with a MAM of 3500kg, no mention on the vehicle that’s towing it.
Presumably the vehicle will remain with a MAM of 3500kg (as is set in CAT b of the license) in addition to the new trailer entitlement.
Reading other replies from the video poster, he even discusses the fact that 3 1/2+ 3 1/2 is a large jump!
Yes
Great video, well done keep up
Great advice
European Bureaucracy, in the US you can drive a Class A tandem axle 45000. Lbs with your regular license and a fifth Wheel, in my case 14000 using a dually F350, do I see accidents related to this rule, let's say in 15 years never saw not even one and drive to Florida in the winter months and take a look of the amount of RV's in general on the roads. Again this Bull crap law here is only making money to Driving Schools as far I see it.
It's easy to say that raising the limit could cause more accidents. Similarly u could argue banning all caravans from the road would cut down on accidents. 😊
It is indeed easy to say and no doubt banning all caravans would cut down on caravan related accidents! We wanted to start the conversation and raise awareness. Thanks for being part of that
I get the weight thing, but I've seen the utter carnage that occurs when anyone just hitches a trailer or caravan to their car. It's hilarious to watch on private land, but not great on the road
Great advice, thanks for sharing.
They might have changed the rules but they haven't taken the law away. The police will still arrest you and seize your vehicle😤
Why??
The rules have not changed. As we write this the change is a proposal to government and it has been delayed
Good for insurance company's not so good if your business is driver training and you've spent a fortune on a trailer 😠
All be obsolete soon! Every twat will be towing a trailer!
Couldn’t care less about trainers.