Trailer on driving license, when did it change?

Yawlboy

I've been told that if you've passed your B driving test before 1994 that you are automatically entitled to the E (trailer) part on your license. Apparently you just have to go and ask for it. Does anyone know if that's correct?

darragh o meara

Wouldn't be the first time something like that happened. My mother had rigid, artic and full compliment of buses on her licence and never drove anything bigger than a swb transit!!!

Paddy001

You used be able to get it before some date in 2001 or 2002 when you had the B, dunno if you can go back and get it now if you passed before then, I've a feeling you can though!

stoneill

If you need the trailer part of the licence you need a medical cert from your doctor.

slimjimmc

stoneill wrote: »

If you need the trailer part of the licence you need a medical cert from your doctor.

Except for a car+trailer (EB) licence which is what the OP was asking about.

RSA:

All holders of full driving licences for categories C1 (large van/small truck), C (rigid truck), D1 (minibus), D (bus), EC1 (large van/small truck with trailer), EC (articulated truck), ED1 (minibus with trailer) or ED (bus with trailer) must produce a medical report (completed by a doctor) to add any of these categories to their licence.

CiniO

Yawlboy wrote: »

I've been told that if you've passed your B driving test before 1994 that you are automatically entitled to the E (trailer) part on your license. Apparently you just have to go and ask for it. Does anyone know if that's correct?

Even if there was something like that before 1994 that you got EB together with B it surely doesn't apply anymore.
So if you don't have EB written on your licence, then to get it you must do the theory and driving test.

Del2005

Paddy001 wrote: »

You used be able to get it before some date in 2001 or 2002 when you had the B, dunno if you can go back and get it now if you passed before then, I've a feeling you can though!

I passed in 98 and only got B.

IIRC if you lost an entitlement from your license you only have a few years to get it back or else you need to start from scratch, can't remember the time limit.

BrianD3

From looking at irish statutebook the cutoff date may be 13th November 1989 rather than 1994
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1989/en/si/0285.html#zzsi285y1989a2

(2) For the purposes of sub-article (1) of this article a driving licence in respect of a category set out in column 1 of the following Table shall be regarded as a driving licence in respect of the category or any of the categories set out in column 2 of the said Table opposite the mention in column 1 of that category

Column 1.............Column 2
Category.............Categories
B........................B and W

niloc1951

From the RSA website.

What trailers does my category B licence cover?

You can tow a trailer with a MAM no greater than 750kg,

and/or

Where the MAM of the trailer is less than the unladen weight of the vehicle, then the MAM of the trailer can be greater than 750kg provided that the combined MAM of the vehicle and trailer is not greater than 3500kg.
As a general rule your category B licence would not allow you to tow a horsebox or a livestock trailer for bringing animals to the local mart.

http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Driving-licence/Cars-and-Trailers/

Yawlboy

Went to the Motor Tax Office this morning and they confirmed that it was 1989 - so I have to apply for a provisional(€15), after I do an eye test(€40) and my theory test (€45)

dearg lady

Yawlboy wrote: »

Went to the Motor Tax Office this morning and they confirmed that it was 1989 - so I have to apply for a provisional(€15), after I do an eye test(€40) and my theory test (€45)

where is an eye test costing you €40?!

Please Kill Me

niloc1951 wrote: »

From the RSA website.

What trailers does my category B licence cover?

You can tow a trailer with a MAM no greater than 750kg,

and/or

Where the MAM of the trailer is less than the unladen weight of the vehicle, then the MAM of the trailer can be greater than 750kg provided that the combined MAM of the vehicle and trailer is not greater than 3500kg.
As a general rule your category B licence would not allow you to tow a horsebox or a livestock trailer for bringing animals to the local mart.

http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Driving-licence/Cars-and-Trailers/

But does it matter if the trailer is single axle or twin axle? EG. I have a twin axle 8ft x 4ft builders trailer (I use it for transporting the motorbike to/from trackdays etc.) and I was only told yesterday that because it's a twin axle, I'm not legally allowed to pull it unless I have a 4x4 (which I don't) Any truth in this?

CJhaughey

Please Kill Me wrote: »

) Any truth in this?

No, it goes by weight.

CiniO

Please Kill Me wrote: »

But does it matter if the trailer is single axle or twin axle? EG. I have a twin axle 8ft x 4ft builders trailer (I use it for transporting the motorbike to/from trackdays etc.) and I was only told yesterday that because it's a twin axle, I'm not legally allowed to pull it unless I have a 4x4 (which I don't) Any truth in this?

Both number of trailer axles and type of pulling vehicle (4wd, fwd, rwd) are completely irrelevant when it comes to legality of trailers and required licences.
Weights is all that matters.

Yawlboy

dearg lady wrote: »

where is an eye test costing you €40?!

local opticians - is that expensive?

the culture of deference

I wish trailer drivers were more aware of their speed limits.

I got overtaken doing 120kph on the M11 by a guy in an old Nissan towing a car trailer.

Please Kill Me

the culture of deference wrote: »

I wish trailer drivers were more aware of their speed limits.

I got overtaken doing 120kph on the M11 by a guy in an old Nissan towing a car trailer.

Agreed. I never pass 100kph, laden or unladen!!

CiniO

Please Kill Me wrote: »

Agreed. I never pass 100kph, laden or unladen!!

Still wrong though.
You are meant not to exceed 80km/h when towing a trailer.

Actually car+trailer is the vehicles with slowest speed limit on motorways out of every vehiicle.
On motorways all normal cars + van's can travel 120km/h.
Buses can travel at 100km/h
Trucks including articulated truck or trucks towing trailers can do 90km/h.
Cars and vans towing trailers can do 80km/h.

Please Kill Me

CiniO wrote: »

Still wrong though.
You are meant not to exceed 80km/h when towing a trailer.

<snip>

Cars and vans towing trailers can do 80km/h.

Really? Jaysus thank's for that. I honestly thought it was 100kph. Thanks man.

the culture of deference

Please Kill Me wrote: »

Really? Jaysus thank's for that. I honestly thought it was 100kph. Thanks man.

I felt unsafe when the guy in the Nissan went past me.

(A) He was going 130 +
(B) The car he had was a piece of Sh1t
(C) Car and trailer were shaking/vibrating alarmingly

What are you supposed to do in situations like this?

Please Kill Me

the culture of deference wrote: »

I felt unsafe when the guy in the Nissan went past me.

(A) He was going 130 +
(B) The car he had was a piece of Sh1t
(C) Car and trailer were shaking/vibrating alarmingly

What are you supposed to do in situations like this?

You: Stay out of his way!

Him: Slow the f**k down!!

That's ridiculous! The trailer I have is solid, never bounces or shakes. You wouldn't even know you were pulling a trailer. But I still wouldn't risk going above 100k's.

CiniO

the culture of deference wrote: »

(B) The car he had was a piece of Sh1t

How do you know?

nhg

Yawlboy wrote: »

Went to the Motor Tax Office this morning and they confirmed that it was 1989 - so I have to apply for a provisional(€15), after I do an eye test(€40) and my theory test (€45)

I enquired earlier in the year when renewing my licence & I was only out by a few weeks, covered to pull single axle trailer but will have to do theory test, apply for provisional etc if I want to pull double axle trailer - never pulled a trailer in my life & will hardly ever do in the future 😛

CiniO

nhg wrote: »

I enquired earlier in the year when renewing my licence & I was only out by a few weeks, covered to pull single axle trailer but will have to do theory test, apply for provisional etc if I want to pull double axle trailer - never pulled a trailer in my life & will hardly ever do in the future 😛

Did they tell you in motor tax office you were ok to drive single axle but not OK to drive double axle???
I wouldn't be surpriced if they told you that, but it's definitely wrong information.

CiniO

embracingLife wrote: »

You are allowed to pull a loaded trailer weight up to 750kgs (whether its single axle or twin axle). Generally single axle trailers laden weight would be around 750kgs. Any laden trailer weight above this you will need the licence.

That's not true.
You can tow heavier trailers than this, on B licence. It was discussed hundreds times on this forum.
Also weight limit doesn't apply to laden trailer weight, but "gross vehicle weight" which is a trailer weight + possible load. So this is a parameter once set for the trailer, and amount of stuff you are carrying in it doesn't really matter. (unless trailer is overloaded)

That's probably why the tax office person told that you can tow a single axle trailer without a trailer licence.

Tax office person told him this, because they have no clue about the job they are doing.

goz83

Yawlboy wrote: »

local opticians - is that expensive?

I would say. Only cost €15 in 2 local opticians here in Dublin. You don't need the full eye test...just one for the driver license.

embracingLife

CiniO wrote: »

That's not true.
You can tow heavier trailers than this, on B licence. It was discussed hundreds times on this forum.
Also weight limit doesn't apply to laden trailer weight, but "gross vehicle weight" which is a trailer weight + possible load. So this is a parameter once set for the trailer, and amount of stuff you are carrying in it doesn't really matter. (unless trailer is overloaded)



Tax office person told him this, because they have no clue about the job they are doing.

I just made a comment-my opinion in reply to the other person. Spare me the whine about whats been supposedly said a "hundred times" already. I don't come on here much,so I'm not going to read all the other posts. I just gave my opinion to the other person so spare me the lecture.

CiniO

embracingLife wrote: »

I just made a comment-my opinion in reply to the other person. Spare me the whine about whats been supposedly said a "hundred times" already. I don't come on here much,so I'm not going to read all the other posts. I just gave my opinion to the other person so spare me the lecture.

You clearly stated that for towing anything above 750kg someone would need EB license.

This fact is not true, so I responded that no one will be mislead.

Del2005

Please Kill Me wrote: »

But does it matter if the trailer is single axle or twin axle? EG. I have a twin axle 8ft x 4ft builders trailer (I use it for transporting the motorbike to/from trackdays etc.) and I was only told yesterday that because it's a twin axle, I'm not legally allowed to pull it unless I have a 4x4 (which I don't) Any truth in this?

While the double axle is BS the plated weight of the trailer may bring you above the B towing limit. The combination can't exceed 3,500kg, or is it 4,250kg, and the trailers DGVW can't be more than the DGVW of the tow vehilce. Then you need to consider is your car rated to tow the DGVW of the trailer

If your towing a trailer with a DGVW of 1500kg in a 1200kg car or if your driving a 2000kg car with a 1500kg trailer and the car is only rated for a 1250kg trailer you aren't legal. It doesn't mater if the trailer is empty or full.

Markcheese

Please Kill Me wrote: »

Agreed. I never pass 100kph, laden or unladen!!

Speed limit when pulling a trailer is 80 kph .... If it's a heavy yoke with no brakes no suspension 80 kph.. A well balanced braked trailer with suspension also 80. ( as I found out driving cork to Dublin ..

CiniO

Del2005 wrote: »

While the double axle is BS the plated weight of the trailer may bring you above the B towing limit. The combination can't exceed 3,500kg, or is it 4,250kg,

Its 3500kg limit for dgvw combination (car dgvw + trailer dgvw), with the only exception of trailer of dgvw up to 750kg, in which case the combination might be 4250kg.
So in short if you have 750kg trailer you can tow it with anything that can be driven in B category (f.e. 3500kg dgvw transit), but if you want to tow a heavier trailer than 750kg dgvw, then you must make sure that combination of car dgvw + trailer dgvw doesnt exceed 3500kg, and than trailer dgvw is not greater than car unladen weihgt. And obviously as you mentioned, that car is rated to tow such heavy trailer.

and the trailers DGVW can't be more than the DGVW of the tow vehilce. Then you need to consider is your car rated to tow the DGVW of

I think you meant: trailer dgvw cant be more than unladen weight of the tow vehicle.

Also worth mentioning is, that if someone holds EB licence, then those weight limitations dont apply, but he still cant exceed car rated towing weight, so he cant tow a trailer heavier than car manufacturer designed - which for average compact size car would be about 1000-1200kg. However in this case its not dgvw which appilies but actual trailer weight with load.