Who Needs B + E Test

If you passed your driving test on or after 1st January 1997 you may* need to pass your B + E Test.

* If the trailer you wish to tow exceeds 750kg you may tow it behind a category B vehicle, provided that the vehicle and trailer combination doesn.t exceed 3.5 tonnes and the MAM of the trailer doesn't exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle.

If you wish to drive a category B vehicle towing a trailer which exceeds that listed above, you will have to pass a practical category B + E test.

Glossary of Terms

Unladen Weight - The Weight of the trailer (or towing vehicle) less removable optional equipment and load.

Maximum Gross Weight - The maximum figure set by the manufacturer for the gross weight. This will normally be the technically permissible maximum based on the carrying capacity of the tyres, axles, coupling, suspension and chassis but may have been adjusted downwards for commercial reasons.

Maximum Authorised Mass - As maximum gross weight above.

Nose Weight - It is recommended that the nose weight should be approximately 7% of the gross trailer weight.