How to get a Trailer licence (EB)

dingus12

This might sound like a silly question, However I am really confused about how I should go about getting a trailer licence category (EB),

I have a full licence since 2010, category B and W,

Do I just go to the motor tax office, grab a licence application form and fill it out, Include my passport photos and appropriate fee, along with my existing licence?

or do I keep my existing licence, and apply for a learner permit for category EB and end up with having 1 full licence and 1 learner permit to carry around?

Do I have to do the theory test again? or is that just for first time learner permit applications in category B,

Do I have to do the mandatory 12 lessons with a trailer hitched on?

Do I have to wait 6 months before applying to do the trailer test to get the full EB licence category added to my drivers licence or can I apply for the test straight away as soon as I get the learner permit?

Whats involved in the driving test? I have been driving with trailers from a young age and I am very competent so will I need any lessons?

Thanks to anyone who answers these questions.

I've researched this but can only get info on how to apply for a first time leaner permit in category B.

guil

You need to get a learner permit and not too sure about the theory test. I got my C licence in August 08 and then EC in July 2011 and didn't have to do another theory test although the driving test was booked about a year before I done it. Nearly certain the 6 month rule doesn't apply either.

quietsailor

search around the motors forum, learning to drive forum and the Farming & forestry forum - search using my username as well. I remember posting in a big thread about this & another poster (SaabEd I think) and myself threw up a load of links about this and the type of trailer to use

eire-kp

guil wrote: »

You need to get a learner permit and not too sure about the theory test. I got my C licence in August 08 and then EC in July 2011 and didn't have to do another theory test although the driving test was booked about a year before I done it. Nearly certain the 6 month rule doesn't apply either.

Did this aswell in 2009 and 2010, I got talking to someone in the RSA and they said things weren't going to get any easier to gain a license in the future so I went for it. Haven't driven an artic since :pac:.

guil

eire-kp wrote: »

Did this aswell in 2009 and 2010, I got talking to someone in the RSA and they said things weren't going to get any easier to gain a license in the future so I went for it. Haven't driven an artic since :pac:.

Licence will be pointless to you unless you do 5 CPC modules before September this year. After that all bus and truck drivers must have a CPC card with them when driving. Not sure what the penalty will be if you haven't got it though you might find it hard to get any work without it.

mullingar

dingus12 wrote: »

This might sound like a silly question, However I am really confused about how I should go about getting a trailer licence category (EB),

I have a full licence since 2010, category B and W,

Do I just go to the motor tax office, grab a licence application form and fill it out, Include my passport photos and appropriate fee, along with my existing licence?

or do I keep my existing licence, and apply for a learner permit for category EB and end up with having 1 full licence and 1 learner permit to carry around?

Do I have to do the theory test again? or is that just for first time learner permit applications in category B,

Do I have to do the mandatory 12 lessons with a trailer hitched on?

Do I have to wait 6 months before applying to do the trailer test to get the full EB licence category added to my drivers licence or can I apply for the test straight away as soon as I get the learner permit?

Whats involved in the driving test? I have been driving with trailers from a young age and I am very competent so will I need any lessons?

Thanks to anyone who answers these questions.

I've researched this but can only get info on how to apply for a first time leaner permit in category B.

Ive done this in the last few months (and passed )


As you passed your B test after 1984, you have to sit the full test.
If you never sat a thoery test before, you have to do one.

- Go down to the Driving Licence crowd, fill out the form, bring the required ID, get mugshot taken oh and also sit your Thoery Test.

A second licence will arrive in the post with EB learner on it. You keep your full B licence.

As you are already deemed competent with a B licence, you DONT need x10 lessons or wait 6 months for your test. I applied for the test immediately and sat the test 6 weeks later - and passed!:) (I passed my B 20 years ago)


Now, a couple of issues:
- Make sure you use a manual car - otherwise you are restricted to auto - even if you have a manual B licence.
- Your trailer MUST be at a closed box design with at least 8'x5' floor space and be at least the same height of the towing vehicle with a mandated x30 solid 16"x8"x4" concrete blocks to make up a cargo of 600kg (This is checked).
- Make sure the car can tow the weight of the trailer + 600kg. So if its a horse-box which these weigh 800kg+, so this is a combined weight of 1400+kg.
-If you go pass, go back to the licence centre with your 2x licences, new application form and the pass certificate.


Cost wise? This cost me approx €300

Bio Mech

mullingar wrote: »

Now, a couple of issues:
- Your trailer MUST be at a closed box design with at least 8'x5' floor space and be at least the same height of the towing vehicle with a mandated x30 solid 16"x8"x4" concrete blocks to make up a cargo of 600kg (This is checked).

I think that new provision is really annoying. I used to have a boat and trailer which required an EB licence but wasn't considered suitable for the test. So was in a position that I needed an EB licence to tow the trailer but wasn't allowed to sit an EB test with the exact trailer that needed the EB licence in the first place.

Was quite annoying as I had to get my father to tow it until I got EB sorted. I sold said boat so I EB is on hold for now anyway.

mullingar

They really have no clue in the testing office.

On the email I received on the requirements for the test, they stated that a Corolla or Golf would be suitable - most of these would not have a towing capacity >1400kg.

Come on, the only type of covered trailer with a 8x5 floor space that a Corolla/Golf can legally pull with a 600kg load is a single axle "Box trailer type" with a empty weight of 600kg. And they are very rare on the roads

renofan

mullingar wrote: »

Ive done this in the last few months (and passed )


As you passed your B test after 1984, you have to sit the full test.
If you never sat a thoery test before, you have to do one.

- Go down to the Driving Licence crowd, fill out the form, bring the required ID, get mugshot taken oh and also sit your Thoery Test.

A second licence will arrive in the post with EB learner on it. You keep your full B licence.

As you are already deemed competent with a B licence, you DONT need x10 lessons or wait 6 months for your test. I applied for the test immediately and sat the test 6 weeks later - and passed!:) (I passed my B 20 years ago)


Now, a couple of issues:
- Make sure you use a manual car - otherwise you are restricted to auto - even if you have a manual B licence.
- Your trailer MUST be at a closed box design with at least 8'x5' floor space and be at least the same height of the towing vehicle with a mandated x30 solid 16"x8"x4" concrete blocks to make up a cargo of 600kg (This is checked).
- Make sure the car can tow the weight of the trailer + 600kg. So if its a horse-box which these weigh 800kg+, so this is a combined weight of 1400+kg.
-If you go pass, go back to the licence centre with your 2x licences, new application form and the pass certificate.


Cost wise? This cost me approx €300

I do my Theory test tomorrow, as I got my full licence long before Theory tests came in

Also I have an Audi A4 and was told I can't use this for the test, it has to be a 4 x 4 with a loaded horsebox trailer? I'll be doing my test in Naas and one of the learner schools rent you a pajero and trailer for €120 for the test which includes a lesson on the day of the test.

So in summary if I pass the Theory, I go to the NDLS centre, get an EB provisional licence, apply for the test, pass, go back to the NDLS and get a new full licence with the EB included.

mullingar

renofan wrote: »

I do my Theory test tomorrow, as I got my full licence long before Theory tests came in

Also I have an Audi A4 and was told I can't use this for the test, it has to be a 4 x 4 with a loaded horsebox trailer? I'll be doing my test in Naas and one of the learner schools rent you a pajero and trailer for €120 for the test which includes a lesson on the day of the test.

So in summary if I pass the Theory, I go to the NDLS centre, get an EB provisional licence, apply for the test, pass, go back to the NDLS and get a new full licence with the EB included.

That is 100% incorrect.

The requirements for the car are that it must be certified for the tow weight and its longer than 4.25m (A Ford Focus Hatch is 4.3m).

If the car is under 4.25m in length, it must be 4x4.

If you check under the bonnet of the car for its weight plate, take the first weight (car DGVW) from the second weight (max train weight) you get the max trailer weight.


Edit,

Just to add, I passed my test with a loan of an old shape diesel Laguna for my test - rated to 1500kg tow - with a horse box that belonged to my local driving school

renofan

Just got my provisional in the post this morning but the letter with it says I can't do the test for 6 months. Any way around this? A letter from someone?

mullingar

That's an error by the licencing crowd. I had the same on mine and rang them about it. They agreed it shouldn't be there and I sat my test with a few week old BE learner licence.

renofan

Never thought of ringing them. Thanks for the reply.