Category B licence holders taken after Jan 1997 cannot
drive a vehicle with a maximum gross weight over 3500kg
Trailers up to 750kg MAM may be towed provided that the
maximum weight of the trailer does not exceed the unladen
weight of the towing vehicle and the MAM of the trailer
added to the MAM of the towing vehicle does not exceed
3500kg.
In practice,
to tow most trailers legally there is no alternative
for drivers with Category B licences but to pass the
additional B+E test.
If you have
a licence with category B+E, you can tow any trailer
up to 3500kg MAM provided that you don't exceed the
towing vehicles towing limit, if the trailer plate shows
a figure higher than the car's maximum towing limit
it is ok provided that you are actually towing a lower
weight. The net result is that new drivers will only
be allowed to drive and tow the following:
Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (Category B) with a 750kg
trailer (4.25 tonnes total).
Category
B vehicles with larger trailers, provided that the combination
does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and the gross MAM of the
trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing
vehicle.
ACCOMPANYING
DRIVERS / FULL LICENCE HOLDERS
Please be aware that although you may have entitlement
for B+E on your licence, unless you have actually taken
the B+E test you are unable to sit next to a provisional
licence holder.