Driving licence for trailers

Sunnyisland

My son has a full B licence (car) he wants to pull a trailer, its a large trailer, how does he go about getting a licence for that,does he have to do a another driving test,Thanks

**Timbuk2**

He needs to do the EB test, to get EB added to his licence.

From citizensinformation.ie

Category B
Vehicles with seats for up to 8 passengers and a maximum weight of 3,500kg (can tow a trailer where the maximum weight of the trailer when fully loaded is 750kg or less - total maximum weight of 4,250kg)

If it doesn't meet this criteria, he may need an EB licence.

Here's a past thread (2009) which might be of interest, if the information is not outdated!

Sunnyisland

Thanks for that post timbuk2 and the link,.... sorted.

CiniO

realies wrote: »

My son has a full B licence (car) he wants to pull a trailer, its a large trailer, how does he go about getting a licence for that,does he have to do a another driving test,Thanks

How heavy is the trailer, and what car is he going to use for towing?

Cmar-Ireland

Depending on the trailer/load and tow car, he may not need an EB licence.

From the RSA website...

With an ordinary category B licence, a person can

• tow a trailer of up to 0.75 tonnes DGVW, with a vehicle with a DGVW of up to 3.5 tonnes and seating for up to eight passengers (apart from the driver). The combination weight cannot exceed 4.25 tonnes.
• tow a trailer exceeding 0.75 tonnes DGVW, provided that the DGVW of the trailer does not exceed the un-laden weight of the towing vehicle, and the maximum combination weight does not exceed a total of 3.5 tonnes.

reilig

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

Depending on the trailer/load and tow car, he may not need an EB licence.

[/LIST]

If he intends pulling a trailer where the combined weight of the trailer and the load is over 750kg then he will need an EB licence.

If he is pulling an empty trailer that is plated for over 750kg then he will need an EB licence (Even if the load that he is carrying is only 100kg).

Most trailers with more than 1 axel will be plated for greater than 750kg.

guil

reilig wrote: »

If he intends pulling a trailer where the combined weight of the trailer and the load is over 750kg then he will need an EB licence.

If he is pulling an empty trailer that is plated for over 750kg then he will need an EB licence (Even if the load that he is carrying is only 100kg).

Most trailers with more than 1 axel will be plated for greater than 750kg.

there's conflicting information regarding what ya can tow on a B licence

according to the RSA

wrote:

With an ordinary category B licence, a person can

• tow a trailer of up to 0.75 tonnes DGVW, with a vehicle with a DGVW of up to 3.5 tonnes and seating for up to eight passengers (apart from the driver). The combination weight cannot exceed 4.25 tonnes.
• tow a trailer exceeding 0.75 tonnes DGVW, provided that the DGVW of the trailer does not exceed the un-laden weight of the towing vehicle, and the maximum combination weight does not exceed a total of 3.5 tonnes.

BUT transport.ie says this

wrote:

If you hold a category B licence and wish to tow a trailer you may do so 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 3500 kg or
(2) 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.

mullingar

Its fairly simple with 2 rules summarised from the Road Traffic Act.

-The total train weight must not exceed 3500kg.
-The unladen car MUST be heavier than the trailer/load.


Naturally assuming that the car is plated to tow that weight!


Edit:

Found the Rules of the road link: http://www.rulesoftheroad.ie/pdf-downloads/english/rules-of-the-road%20eng.pdf

Where is clearly states on page 17:

The "OR" word is VERY important

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

CiniO

guil wrote: »

there's conflicting information regarding what ya can tow on a B licence

according to the RSA


BUT transport.ie says this

What's conflicting here?
I can see the information is exactly the same, but just written in different words.

CiniO

reilig wrote: »

If he intends pulling a trailer where the combined weight of the trailer and the load is over 750kg then he will need an EB licence.

If he is pulling an empty trailer that is plated for over 750kg then he will need an EB licence (Even if the load that he is carrying is only 100kg).

Most trailers with more than 1 axel will be plated for greater than 750kg.

That's false information.
Correct rules were already quoted on above posts.

guil

CiniO wrote: »

What's conflicting here?
I can see the information is exactly the same, but just written in different words.

look again, the first one says ya can tow over 750kg as long as the trailer isnt heavier than the car and its under 3500kg overall
the second one says ya cant pull a trailer over 750kg on a B licence

Solnskaya

I have noticed lately that the gardai are quite hefty in the pulling over of jeeps/vans pulling trailers, somthing I never saw before. I tow alot, and it's a bit of a worry, as I have bog all chance/time for getting to do a test/apply for a test/pass a test for pulling trailers, despite 20 years accident free trailer lugging, and I often pull 1500kg on a heavy 14*6 trailer. I feel like an outlaw, and it aint nice. (I use a heavy 4*4 for towing)

CiniO

guil wrote: »

look again, the first one says ya can tow over 750kg as long as the trailer isnt heavier than the car and its under 3500kg overall
the second one says ya cant pull a trailer over 750kg on a B licence

I did look again.
Still all looks right.
Hence that on info you quoted from transport.ie the two points are separated by "or", which means that any of them can apply.

Phillymeaney

Does anyone know if you hold a C, C1 and D1 licence do you need to do a test to hold an EB licence.

-Corkie-

Phillymeaney wrote: »

Does anyone know if you hold a C, C1 and D1 licence do you need to do a test to hold an EB licence.

Yes you do unfortunatley.

Phillymeaney

-Corkie- wrote: »

Phillymeaney wrote: »

Does anyone know if you hold a C, C1 and D1 licence do you need to do a test to hold an EB licence.

Yes you do unfortunatley.

It's a pity thanks for that I want to tow a caravan which is 1750kg. I will just have to do the test.

Theanswers

A quite easily applied for Learner Permit will suffice for most guards.

It means you have something.

Bumpstop

Solnskaya wrote: »

I have noticed lately that the gardai are quite hefty in the pulling over of jeeps/vans pulling trailers, somthing I never saw before. I tow alot, and it's a bit of a worry, as I have bog all chance/time for getting to do a test/apply for a test/pass a test for pulling trailers, despite 20 years accident free trailer lugging, and I often pull 1500kg on a heavy 14*6 trailer. I feel like an outlaw, and it aint nice. (I use a heavy 4*4 for towing)

I know exactly what you mean I feel like criminal out with my trailer now, and we are easy fodder, much easier than actual criminals.

CiniO

-Corkie- wrote: »

Yes you do unfortunatley.

Why "unfortunately"?

Driving trucks or buses is completely different to driving trailers.
People who do want to drive with trailers, should be examined before to check if they are able to do it.

F.E. I hold a D licence and drive buses pretty regularly, but when I was trying once or twice to reverse a transit with big trailer, I had serious trouble, as I have completely no experience driving with trailers.

That's why I think bus or truck licence shouldn't entitle you to tow a trailers even with a car.

Fishtits

Theanswers wrote: »

A quite easily applied for Learner Permit will suffice for most guards.

It means you have something.

Not around here unfortunately. Our lot would put the taliban to shame, then they complain about lack of local assistance with other stuff... :rolleyes:

Del2005

Theanswers wrote: »

A quite easily applied for Learner Permit will suffice for most guards.

It means you have something.

It's not really the Gardaí you need to worry about, they only really enforce 2 laws.

Once you apply for the permit you need someone who's had an EB licence for over 2 years in the car with you when towing. Which is a fine of up to €1000 if not accompanied or displaying L plates.

Driving outside the terms of your licence is a serious insurance issue. With the potential of having to pay back any money paid out to 3rd parties and loosing all your own cover.

Paddy001

Phillymeaney wrote: »

Does anyone know if you hold a C, C1 and D1 licence do you need to do a test to hold an EB licence.

It is a separate test, but if I was you I would just put the money and time into doing the E+C license and you would get this along with E+C1, E+B and I think E+B1. Could be better value if you needed an artic license

rinarally

My brother in law has completed the EB test and there are a few problems..

Firstly the trailer has to be large enough to block visibility from the rear window, so an ordinary trailer cannot be used, must be a box type or horse box trailer.

Secondly, a reverse lights must be fitted to the trailer or trailer board, but no car trailer in Ireland has them as standard, as our 7 pin wiring plug and harness doesn't cater for a reverse light (you need to use the one for the fog light, but this may not work on modern cars with can bus or wiring relays...)

Nothing is ever straight forward..

donegal2011

is this test easy or what do you do in the test?

Del2005

rinarally wrote: »

My brother in law has completed the EB test and there are a few problems..

Firstly the trailer has to be large enough to block visibility from the rear window, so an ordinary trailer cannot be used, must be a box type or horse box trailer.

It all depends on the age of the tow vehicle. Not sure of the exact age but once it's older you can use a flat bed trailer. I managed to find the details once on the RSA site but never again:(

Secondly, a reverse lights must be fitted to the trailer or trailer board, but no car trailer in Ireland has them as standard, as our 7 pin wiring plug and harness doesn't cater for a reverse light (you need to use the one for the fog light, but this may not work on modern cars with can bus or wiring relays...)

Nothing is ever straight forward..

Are you sure of this? I know that several years ago EC didn't need reversing lights, just stick on the hazards and reverse.

I've not paid much attention to car trailers in other countries but I don't recall seeing white lenses on them.

4odh4n

if towing vehicle is older than 2004 then flat trailer can be used, there are also other requirements about the type of vehicle that can be used, it has to be 4wd or rear wheel drive, if fwd has to be at least 14 foot long i think.

i done the test a few months ago and there were no requirement for reversing lights, hazards used when reveresing around corner and tester did check indicators, brake and tail lights before setting off on the test