Driving test to tow a caravan?

Betsy Og wrote: »

Wouldnt worry about it, just make sure your insurance covers it and that the weight of the caravan does not exceed about 70% of the weight of the var.

Wouldn't worry about it:eek: Your insurance will say something along the lines of have or held a licence to drive the vehicle. If the trailer is over 750kg DGVW then you'll need an EB licence. Your insurance may pay out any 3rd party claims but they are perfectly entitled to recoup the costs back from you.

Theoretically there is a test but I've never heard of one. Last time I renewed my licence I filled out the box saying I wanted the tow licence (I think in the good ol days that used to happen when you were getting your 2nd full licence - having been drivign 10 years) but the lady refused me citing a test for same.

There is an EB test and any of the test centres that do Artic's can do the test. If you check on the web it gives the details of the vehicle and trailer to be used for the test.

Guards never look at it. I'll look through some papers I printed off a year ago (was in same position as you), I think there was some other "concession" on the licensing side which put my mind at rest.

The Gardaí never look at it till something goes wrong. I remember hearing about a "concession" also for towing caravans, but I think that may have been UK licence holders only. Our licences don't mention anything about caravans.

B
Vehicles with seats for up to 8 passengers and a maximum weight of 3,500kg (includes pulling a trailer where the maximum weight of the trailer when fully loaded is 750kg or less)

17 year


EB
Combinations of vehicles with drawing vehicle in category B and where the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer is greater than 750kg.

17 years

http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Safe-Driving/About-your-license/Driving-license-categories/

Betsy Og wrote: »

Well I specifically confirmed with my insurance company at the time and was told I was covered. I'm fairly sure I have it in writing as well so I'll try to dig that out.

Once you have something in writing from your insurance company which clearly states you are insured towing a trailer/caravan over 750kg DGVW on a B licence then you're OK. But I'd make sure to carry it at all times when towing.

Might enquire re this test - do they take your car licence off you if you driver with your elbow out the window

Re the guards, I'd love to hear the stats on convinctions for that offence, or the stats for people taking that test. Once you are certain you're insured I genuinely dont think you have anything to fear.

They also never did anyone for driving alone on provisional licences/larners permits till recently.

The issue is that if you get stopped on the road they may well let you away. But if s**t happens you can be damn sure that everything will be checked and if you are driving out side the terms of you licence you could get the book thrown at you.

mydogjack wrote: »

:)Folks thanks for the advice. Been scouring the net for info, so bloody hard to find a definate law on it. Basically I reckon the 'under 3,500kg' rule applies and I should be ok. If anybody begs to differ, please inform me. Now I'm hyped and ready for my first caravan holiday since I was a youngster.

Del2005 wrote: »

B
Vehicles with seats for up to 8 passengers and a maximum weight of 3,500kg (includes pulling a trailer where the maximum weight of the trailer when fully loaded is 750kg or less)

EB
Combinations of vehicles with drawing vehicle in category B and where the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer is greater than 750kg.

http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Safe-Driving/About-your-license/Driving-license-categories/

It seems that they've changed the wording on their websites since I last checked. There is no mention now of the combined weight not exceeding 3500kg, which is the "concession" you where working off. It's plain as day now and it's similar on Citizens Information and the ROTR

I'd be much more worried about towing a caravan, or any heavy trailer, without an EB.

Hi,

This topic has been the cause of some confusion and worry for me as a caravanner. I have just read this on http://www.rulesoftheroad.ie/your-licence-and-vehicle/driving-licences-and-vehicle-categories/provisional-driving-licence.html#trailers

Cars and trailers

If you hold a Full category B licence, you may tow a trailer only if:

the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer is 750kg or less, or
the unladen (empty) weight of your towing vehicle is at least the same as the trailer's design gross vehicle weight, and the combined design gross vehicle weight of the vehicle and trailer is no more than 3,500kg.
When using a car to tow a heavier trailer, you must hold a category EB licence.

My understanding of this is that if the car is heavier (unladen) than the trailer, then you are covered to tow with your B licence.

reelkidmusic wrote: »

Hi,

This topic has been the cause of some confusion and worry for me as a caravanner. I have just read this on http://www.rulesoftheroad.ie/your-licence-and-vehicle/driving-licences-and-vehicle-categories/provisional-driving-licence.html#trailers

Cars and trailers

If you hold a Full category B licence, you may tow a trailer only if:

the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer is 750kg or less, or
the unladen (empty) weight of your towing vehicle is at least the same as the trailer's design gross vehicle weight, and the combined design gross vehicle weight of the vehicle and trailer is no more than 3,500kg.
When using a car to tow a heavier trailer, you must hold a category EB licence.

My understanding of this is that if the car is heavier (unladen) than the trailer, then you are covered to tow with your B licence.

mydogjack wrote: »

Hi reelkidmusic, I'm with you on the rules of the road. I even rang the local garda station(they didnt seem too bothered and were a little unsure too). I reckon the rules of the road are pretty clear in the 3,500kg total weight.

mydogjack wrote: »

Cars and trailers

If you hold a Full category B licence, you may tow a trailer only if:

• the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer is 750kg or less, or
• the unladen (empty) weight of your towing vehicle is at least the same as the trailer's design gross vehicle weight, and the combined design gross vehicle weight of the vehicle and trailer is no more than 3,500kg.

When using a car to tow a heavier trailer, you must hold a category EB licence.

The above is taken from the rotr website and is still stating 'combined weight'. I reckon the traffic cops are the the people to say for definate.

You do know that the rules of the road are only an interpretation of the law and not the actual law.

It seems strange to me that on 2 parts of the ROTR site they are giving different information but the RSA site, which is the official driving licence site, clearly states that max now is 750kg on a B and it has to EB for anything heavier.

No offence to our Gardaí, they don't know all the laws, but the only people who can actually tell you the correct answer are the RSA as they actually issue the licences. And as Mydogjack said "(they didnt seem too bothered and were a little unsure too)" they don't care till something bad happens and then the people who know the answers will be asking you some very tough questions, never mind the possibility that your insurance could be voided*.



* Your insurnace still pays out 3rd party claims, but you are liable for any payouts made and that's not insurance to me.

mydogjack wrote: »

Ok, so the r.s.a is the way to go on this one. Good to know that. Are the gardai strict on this rule? The caravan I have weighs 700kg so hopefully I should still be ok.

The Gardaí don't know or care till something happens, then they'll start looking into your licence etc, it's the insurance companies I'd be more worried about. It's very easy for them to dismiss a claim if you are driving outside the terms of your licence.


There should be a plate somewhere on the caravan giving you the DGVW, but if it weights 700kg now I'd be amazed if it's less the 750kg DGVW.

Hi just wondered it a opel zafira 1.6 would be strong enough to tow acaravan, have not bought caravan yet just looking into it. Caravan I hope willbe a small enough one max length 16ft..all do hoping to get a 14 foot one. This all new to me so any help much appreciated. tks

I note with amusement my blasé attitude on this 4 years ago! It has grown on the agenda and I did the test last year and got it.

I've heard of farmers being stopped at marts. Overall view is that safer to have the EB in the event of a crash in case insurance co gets windy. There was some development recently re older licences and getting the EB automatically, check the forum on ICCC.ie (open to non members, some good info there).

Please, please, please read this in relation to a category B licence, and pay special attention to the OR word

The vehicle may tow a trailer (a) where the MAM of the trailer is not greater than 750 kg or (b) where the MAM of the trailer exceeds 750kg the combined MAM of the towing vehicle and the trailer is not greater than 3,500 kg.

So........... an average caravan with a MAM of say 1,400kg is perfect legal behind an average family car with a MAM of say 1700kg as the combined weight is only 3,100kg

The whole issue has been confused by the farmers who do require an EB licence because of the need to tow a two or three axle cow box with two hefty cattle in it behind something like a Landcruiser or Pajero, such a combination would certainly tip the scales well beyond 3,500kg.

MAM is also known as DGVW

BTW the above rule also means that a 3,500kg MAM or DGVW motorhome (or other vehicle) can legally tow a trailer which does not exceed 750kg MAM, this would give a combined weight of 4,250kg, very useful to avoid overloading a 3,500kg motorhome if heading to a foreign land where overloading could land a person in trouble with the local police.

See HERE for the source document.