Driving test with trailer

Cmar-Ireland

What does the driving test with a trailer comprise of for a "B" license ? I have my B license 14years now, so if I want to tow a big trailer I need to add E+ to it. What's involved?

Thanks

tacklemore

I'm wondering that myself. When you say a big trailer, can you tow single axle trailers behind a car on just a normal car licence?

Cmar-Ireland

My understanding is that small trailers (under 500kgs) can be towed on a B license, but I'm open to correction on that...

WildWater

I see on www.drivingtest.ie that you can apply for a test in the EB category for €38. However, I have never heard of anyone actually taking that test. Curious also

BrianD3

I'd imagine the E+B test is somewhat similar to an an artic test. You'll probably have to show that you can reverse your trailer safely in a straight line and also reverse it safely into a side entrance. Also for the test you have to use a pretty big trailer (14 feet long minimum IIRC) and use a suitable vehicle to tow it.

I have never heard of anyone either doing an EB test or doing EB driving lessons. This makes me think that there are a lot of drivers out there towing heavy trailers without the correct licence.

Of course, EB is awarded automatically if you pass your EC test.

BTW you can tow a trailer larger than 500 kg d.g.v.w with a B licence. From transport.ie

Q. May I tow a trailer on my full B licence?

A. Yes, provided
(1) the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle and the combination does not exceed 3500kg or
(2) the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer does not exceed 750kg
If you wish to tow a heavier trailer you will have to apply for a category EB licence.

DonJose

(Above poster beat me to it...)

If you hold a category B licence and wish to tow a trailer you may do so provided the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle and the combination does not exceed 3500 kg or the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer does not exceed 750 kg. If you wish to tow a heavier trailer you must hold a category EB licence.

fits

Cmar-Ireland wrote:

What does the driving test with a trailer comprise of for a "B" license ? I have my B license 14years now, so if I want to tow a big trailer I need to add E+ to it. What's involved?

Thanks

If you did your test before 1997, you shouldnt need to do this test (check your license to see if you have the E+ option).

You need to take this test if the trailer has a payload capacity of >750kg (i.e. most trailers) and/or the combined towing vehicle + trailer capacity>3500kg.

Going to do this test myself when the time comes..

Cmar-Ireland

I had my test in '92, I heard that it's possible that you just have to ask for +E to be included on your license and it's done without another test. Just the issuing fee (€38)

J_R

Hi,

To do the EB test you need,

Vehicle for Test if Registered on or after 01/01/2004
Combinations, made up of a Category B test vehicle which should be either (a) a minimum length of at least 4.25 metres, or (b) a 4-wheel drive vehicle, and a trailer with a gross vehicle weight of at least 1,400 kg., capable of a speed of at least 100 Km/h, which does not fall within Category B. The cargo compartment of the trailer shall consist of a closed box body which is at least as wide and as high as the motor vehicle, and have a length of at least 2.4 metres. (The closed box body may also be slightly less wide than the motor vehicle, provided that the view to the rear is only possible by use of the external rear-view mirrors of the motor vehicle.)

The test itself is identical to the car "B" test except they skip the Turnabout (3 point turn)

Cmar-Ireland, can not remember what the cut-off year is, but think you are safe. You do not need to do a test, but would check with motor tax as to what the procedure is to get it on your licence.

Silvera

Jeez, I did my test in 1992 also ?!!!

Would be great if it's true that I can get 'EB' included without doing another test!!!???

However, I don't think that's true!

I reckon it will only apply to people who did their test before 1989 i.e. the last year of the old type (non-photo) driving licece.
My first (provs) licence was the old type. The new one came in use in 1990.

(With the old licence you got B, C1, EB and EC1 when you passed the car test:(

I passed my 'C' (Rigid Truck) test in 2003 and I still didn't get category 'B' (which I thought that I might seeing as I am now licenced to drive ANY size/weight of rigid truck!)


RE Towing on a 'B'........

The second part "the gross vehicle weight of the trailer does not exceed 750kg" relates to say, if you are driving a large van with a gvw of 3500kg, then you are strictly limited to a trailer gvw of 750kg.
That is, a combined gvw (van + trailer) of 4250kg.

Otherwise, AFAIK, you could drive a large car with large trailer (provided they fall into the (a) weight limits) .....e.g. a VW Passat with a small car transporter would fall within the weight limits.


As regards the test......

Naas School Of Motoring have a Mitsubishi Pajero and large trailer specifically for people to learn in/do the 'EB' test.
(This is the only motoring school I have seen with this combination available.)

Wishbone Ash

Just another little nugget of info lads while on the subject of trailers:

There are no testing facilities in Ireland for carrying out ED tests (large bus and trailer). If you have a full large bus licence (D) and also an articulated truck licence (EC), they are obliged to give you ED if you request it. That's how I got mine.

fits

Silvera wrote:

RE Towing on a 'B'........

The second part "the gross vehicle weight of the trailer does not exceed 750kg" relates to say, if you are driving a large van with a gvw of 3500kg, then you are strictly limited to a trailer gvw of 750kg.
That is, a combined gvw (van + trailer) of 4250kg.

Otherwise, AFAIK, you could drive a large car with large trailer (provided they fall into the (a) weight limits) .....e.g. a VW Passat with a small car transporter would fall within the weight limits.


As regards the test......

Naas School Of Motoring have a Mitsubishi Pajero and large trailer specifically for people to learn in/do the 'EB' test.
(This is the only motoring school I have seen with this combination available.)

Silvera I'm absolutely sure you are wrong. It is any trailer with a dgvw of >750kg. Of course it is not enforced, but that is the law, and it would cover most trailers.

I'm also pretty sure about the 1997 date, but not 100%. It was 1997 in the UK, and I doubt we would have been ahead of them... They have pretty much the same licensing laws (only they are enforced)

BrianD3

I did my test pre 1997 and I only have "B". It would be great if I could get C1 and EB without doing a test but I doubt it.

Having said that I know that in the UK there was a rule change around 1997. If you did your test before then I believe you can drive a 7.5 tonne truck (i.e. a C1 category vehicle) and maybe an EB category combo as well.

I believe that Silvera's interprettion of the current rules is correct. You can tow a trailer on a B if trailer d.g.v.w is <750 kg kg OR the total d.g.v.w of the combo is 3500 kg. This would mean that a 3500 kg d.g.v.w Transit can tow a small trailer.

But don't forget the other part of the rules

design gross vehicle weight of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle

Lets say you have a car which weighs 1200 kg and has d.g.v.w 1800. the braked towing capacity of the car is 1500 kg. You have a trailer that weighs 700 kg empty and has d.g.v.w of 1700 kg.

You stick 500 kg of stuff in the trailer. Now your trailer is still within the towing capaity of the vehcle. The d.g.v.w. of the trailer + car does not exceed 3500 kg. But the d.g.vw of the trailer exceeds the kerb weight of the car. Therefore you cannot tow this trailer with a B licence with this car. If you use a heavier car you'd exceed the 3500 kg limit

Amolawxx

Hi I have a 1.9 vw golf and I want to apply for my trailer test to pull a horse box how do I go about it and is my car able to carry 1 or two horses in it. I have a 2 year full driving licence

bazz26

I know it's Halloween but even threads this old surely should be left to rest?

biko

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057071533