Eb licence

Nancypant

Hi all. Just wondering can anyone help me with this query. I got my driving licence in 1994. My licence only has b on it. I need an eb licence to pull a trailor. I was told that due to the age of my licence that I should have automatically got an eb licence. Is this true and does anyone know how to go about changing my licence.
Thanks for any replies.

Esel

Check with your local licensing authority (Motor Tax office). If they got it wrong and you should have been given the trailer extension, they should issue an amended licence.

Nancypant

Hi. Thaks for that Esel. I just checked with them but they said the rules changed in 1989, but I know people with an EB licence who did their test after 1989. Think I need to investigate further.:rolleyes:

BrianD3

1989 sounds about right.

These people that did their B test after 1989 and got EB automatically - did they do their test in the the UK? I think the cutoff date there was 1997.

Nancypant

They did it here but maybe they were already on a provisional by 1989. Will check with them.

So dont want to have to do another test. Dont think my nerves would be up to it.

BrianD3

Are you sure you need an EB licence? Many people incorrectly think that you need an EB for a trailer >750 kg design gross weight. In actual fact, a trailer up to about 1400 kg design gross weight can be towed with a B but you are very limited when it comes to suitable tow cars.

Nancypant

I think I will. I drive a SWB mitsubshi Pajero and I want to tow a horse box with two horses so my understanding will be that I will be over the allowed weight.

BrianD3

Yes, you'll definitely be over the limit for B licences in that case

Nancypant

BrianD3 wrote: »

Yes, you'll definitely be over the limit for B licences in that case

Thats' what I was afriad of. Thanks for your replies anyway BrianD3.

leex

Have any of you done the test for EB licence? What is involved? Is it similar to the regular car test?

Silvera

I too want to have EB on my licence.
I'm going to do the EC (Artic) Test, so I will then have category EB...and EC1. (I already have a full C licence).

It's worth noting that the rules for EB licences change on 19-1-13. From that date anybody who takes out an EB Learner Permit OR takes the EB test will be restricted to a max towing weight of 3500kg. (19-1-13 is the date when the new credit-card style licences are being introduced).

CiniO

Silvera wrote: »

I too want to have EB on my licence.
I'm going to do the EC (Artic) Test, so I will then have category EB...and EC1. (I already have a full C licence).

It's worth noting that the rules for EB licences change on 19-1-13. From that date anybody who takes out an EB Learner Permit OR takes the EB test will be restricted to a max towing weight of 3500kg. (19-1-13 is the date when the new credit-card style licences are being introduced).

But it was said in the other thread, that there are nearly no cars which you can drive on B licence which have towing capacity bigger than 3500kg

TrailerBob

leex wrote: »

Have any of you done the test for EB licence? What is involved? Is it similar to the regular car test?

The test is very straight forward, took me 20 min. Drove around town, did a reverse and back to the centre. Its merely to prove you can competently manoeuvre a reasonably sized trailer.

Silvera

CiniO wrote: »

But it was said in the other thread, that there are nearly no cars which you can drive on B licence which have towing capacity bigger than 3500kg

A 2006/2007 Range Rover Sport HSE has a towing capacity of 3501kg!;):D

But seriously, I'm aware of your point. There are few B category vehicles with a towing capacity over 3500kg.

However the RSA/EU must be implementing this rule for some such reason?

mgbgt1978

Very hard to buy a factory-built trailer with a D.G.V.W. exceeding 3,500kg.
Apart from some of the military-use ones (which use a totally different coupling) almost all Car trailers sold here do not exceed 3,500 kgs.

Wishbone Ash

Nancypant wrote: »

Thats' what I was afriad of. Thanks for your replies anyway BrianD3.

The bigger difficulty is that if you get an EB learner Permit, you will be legally obliged to be accompanied by a holder of a full EB licence. There doesn't seem to be too many of them around now. (I got it by default after passing the EC test).

leex

TrailerBob wrote: »

The test is very straight forward, took me 20 min. Drove around town, did a reverse and back to the centre. Its merely to prove you can competently manoeuvre a reasonably sized trailer.

Is it all practical now or is there theory questions again?

Yawlboy

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The bigger difficulty is that if you get an EB learner Permit, you will be legally obliged to be accompanied by a holder of a full EB licence. There doesn't seem to be too many of them around now. (I got it by default after passing the EC test).

Isn't that a requirement only while you are towing? I ask as I have my EB Provisional and I also still have my full B license.

tony81

Yawlboy wrote: »

Isn't that a requirement only while you are towing?

Obviously.

TrailerBob

leex wrote: »

Is it all practical now or is there theory questions again?

Theory test required if you have never sat one; ie got your licence before 2002, like I did. If you have done a B category theory test then it applies for EB.

The tester will ask trailer specific questions during the driving test

leex

TrailerBob wrote: »

Theory test required if you have never sat one; ie got your licence before 2002, like I did. If you have done a B category theory test then it applies for EB.

The tester will ask trailer specific questions during the driving test

Thanks. I have a B licence since mid 90's and did theory test 18mths ago. Applied for the test recently so waiting patiently now, hoping to get it done before the mid Jan weight changes.

Am I right in saying B covers combined vehicle and trailer weight of 3500kg? and new EB limit in January will be 3500kg for the trailer only?

TrailerBob

It all depends on the vehicles towing capacity. Up to 3500kg gross trailer weight.

gozunda

TrailerBob wrote: »

The test is very straight forward, took me 20 min. Drove around town, did a reverse and back to the centre. Its merely to prove you can competently manoeuvre a reasonably sized trailer.

When I did mine - I was tested over a period of approx 55 mins. Included rural, urban, dual carriageway (max speed for trailer- 80 km) multiple roundabouts, about a dozen different junction types including minor/major roads, traffic lights etc. reverse in test centre, engine checks, road signs, signals. Oh and how one would hitch up trailer (verbal explanation)

Think it depends on the tester you get.
Best of luck.

guil

It's not such an issue with a car or van but its a bit of a joke that you don't have to unhitch the trailer in an EC test. Just have to explain how it's done

Juniorhurler

TrailerBob wrote: »

Theory test required if you have never sat one; ie got your licence before 2002, like I did. If you have done a B category theory test then it applies for EB.

The tester will ask trailer specific questions during the driving test[/QUOTE]

Where can you get a set of trailer specific questions bob?
Did you do any lessons before the test?
were they watching out for the little things from a B licence test or just the trailer specific stuff?

TrailerBob

Sorry for the late reply juniorhurler,

No real list as far as i am aware. My tester asked the towing capacity of the jeep, speed limit, Tyre pressures for the trailer, and one about positioning a load of a 1 ton pallet.. I did two lessons to get a heads up on the route, and on the questions i would be asked. I would recommend doing one or two. They will observe general driving competence, including progress, safe distance, road position etc. Then obviously looking for maneuvering ability with trailer, and observation. The test marking sheet looks very similar to the B test

Hope this helps,
Bob

Yawlboy

Did my test this morning and passed - borrowed a manual 07 LWB Pajero from my cousin and had a twin axel Ifor Williams Box Van BV84.

Did it in Wilton in Cork, did the 10 questions in the office and then out to the jeep. He checked the lights and off we went. The whole route was nearly all 50 kph zone, did the corner reverse at the start and then just drove around for another 15 mins. Took 20 mins or so in total and only thing he pulled me on was not using 4th gear enough. I pointed out that I hadn't driven a manual in years and he said use 4th more its a big jeep. He didn't ask me anything specific about the trailer or towing capacity of the Pajero.

Went and upgraded my license immediately.

deegs

Yawlboy wrote: »

Did my test this morning and passed - borrowed a manual 07 LWB Pajero from my cousin and had a twin axel Ifor Williams Box Van BV84.

Did it in Wilton in Cork, did the 10 questions in the office and then out to the jeep. He checked the lights and off we went. The whole route was nearly all 50 kph zone, did the corner reverse at the start and then just drove around for another 15 mins. Took 20 mins or so in total and only thing he pulled me on was not using 4th gear enough. I pointed out that I hadn't driven a manual in years and he said use 4th more its a big jeep. He didn't ask me anything specific about the trailer or towing capacity of the Pajero.

Went and upgraded my license immediately.

I did mine in wilton and passed today also.

He didnt ask me a single trailer related question???

I got two blues for progress at a roundabout (I was warned in advance that cars fly through it and take it handy...) and also there was a 3 laned crossroads and the lights were broken. A woman drove out from the right and caused me to slow down and stop. I should have drove into her apparantly

Happy out

What did you need to upgrade it? Passport photo's and cash? I was going to do it online but as the time is cutting close maybe I should hand it in tomorrow... is it out by the CIT?

Yawlboy

deegs wrote: »

What did you need to upgrade it? Passport photo's and cash? I was going to do it online but as the time is cutting close maybe I should hand it in tomorrow... is it out by the CIT?

Just hand in your Full License, Provisional License and the Certificate at the counter and they do it there and then. They cut your photo and signature out of your existing license and stick them to a new paper one. Even with the big queue (16 people ahead of me), I was only waiting 35 mins

It is currently free. After next week it will cost €35 and you will be posted out a new credit card style one. The lady at the counter told me that they are stopping issuing the existing paper licenses this Friday.

One thing, I believe that if you don't get it on your license before the new ones come in you will be restricted to towing a 3500kg trailer whereas existing EB licenses are only restricted based on the towing capacity of your vehicle.

deegs

Yawlboy wrote: »

One thing, I believe that if you don't get it on your license before the new ones come in you will be restricted to towing a 3500kg trailer whereas existing EB licenses are only restricted based on the towing capacity of your vehicle.

Yep, thats correct as far as I know!

Might pop over now then!

TrailerBob

Congrats lads, sounds like it was as straight forward as mine.