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Getting BE and A added to my B licence

  • 03-02-2020 2:12pm
    #1
    dory
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 4,575 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Hello,

    Wondering if anyone has the answers to these. I'll go ask the RSA people if no one knows. I have my full B licence since 2006 so have to add the ones above if I want to have a midlife crisis and get a Harley or a boat.

    1. Do I really have to get the BE. Realistically I'll only ever pull something very small and I heard if the combined weight of the car and trailer is 3500KG then I can tow on my B licence. Is this correct?

    2. Has anyone done the towing test? I saw some videos online. Seems I only have to reverse into a road and drive 10km with 800kg weight. Says lessons are recommended (so does that mean not compulsory?). Anyone know anything else I have to do?

    3. Do I have to do a theory test for either? I did one back in the day but don't still have my cert or anything. I saw this online "You must first pass a driver theory test in the category BW (if not already passed to obtain a category B licence)". Is the fact I got my first provisional after the theory test came in proof enough that I did one??!?

    4. I will only ever drive small scooter/mopeds while on holiday. But for this I need to do the test. I don't want to go buying a scooter. Can I rent one for this purpose? Use an instructors? I've heard people say I should do the test on the biggest motorbike I can so I'll pass the test to drive them all, but I don't really want to drive a bike motorbike.


    Thanks people. I'd be grateful if anyone had any info at all on the above. I eventually want to get a small caravan so planning ahead. :)


Comments

  • #2
    oinkely
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 987 ✭✭✭oinkely


    1) up to you to decide. you can tow a trailer on your B licence as long as towing vehicle + trailer dgvw does not exceed 3500 kg.

    my combination of renault trafic and caravan came in just at the limit sop i decided to do it just to be on the safe side.

    2) yes, i did it in the last twelve months. It's a full driving test, just with the reversing the trailer around a corner added in and no three point turn (for obvious reasons). Lessons are not compulsory. The trailer specification is quite rigid so you most likely have to rent one from a driving school unless you know someone with a horsebox and a heap of cement blocks to go inside it. Don't forget that you need to have a licence plate for the trailer if you do rent one, and you need to have an L plate on the trailer and the tow vehicle.

    3) i had to do a theory test. I got my licence in the late 90s so had never done a theory test.

    4) no clue


  • #3
    MascotDec85
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,924 ✭✭✭MascotDec85


    dory wrote: »
    Hello,

    Wondering if anyone has the answers to these. I'll go ask the RSA people if no one knows. I have my full B licence since 2006 so have to add the ones above if I want to have a midlife crisis and get a Harley or a boat.

    1. Do I really have to get the BE. Realistically I'll only ever pull something very small and I heard if the combined weight of the car and trailer is 3500KG then I can tow on my B licence. Is this correct?



    From the RSA website:

    A category B driving licence authorises you to drive a car, van or 4 x 4 which has a maximum mass (as specified by the manufacturer) of not more than 3,500kg and is designed and constructed to carry no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver. You may tow a trailer with a maximum mass (again as specified by the manufacturer) not greater than 750kg, or where the maximum mass is more than 750kg, the combined maximum mass of the towing vehicle and the trailer is not greater than 3,500kg.


    3. Do I have to do a theory test for either? I did one back in the day but don't still have my cert or anything. I saw this online "You must first pass a driver theory test in the category BW (if not already passed to obtain a category B licence)". Is the fact I got my first provisional after the theory test came in proof enough that I did one??!?



    You’ve taken the theory test, you’re fine.



    4. I will only ever drive small scooter/mopeds while on holiday. But for this I need to do the test. I don't want to go buying a scooter. Can I rent one for this purpose? Use an instructors? I've heard people say I should do the test on the biggest motorbike I can so I'll pass the test to drive them all, but I don't really want to drive a bike motorbike.


    You can drive a scooter of 49cc on your car licence, any bigger you’d need at test and IBT before hand.

    Answers above.


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