Can I tow a trailer over 750kg ?

[estresao]

Hi, despite I'll ask the question to DVLA, I'd like to know what you think about it (i don't know how long will take the answer from DVLA).

The context: I'm a Spaniard expax, British resident. My driving license, still Spanish, is B and I got it in 1987... can I tow in my Cali a trailer biggerw than 750kg?

I would like to swap my Spanish license for a British one and I don't know whether I automatcally get a B+E or just a B.

Is the correct answer is "don't get too excited, you will get a B one", I'll need to get the B+E (geting trained and passing wthe test) so I guess by doing that I'll get directly the British one (no need to ask for the British B one and then pass the test for B+E)

Have someone done that before?

Thanks a lot in advance for your help

 

[Bigted]

On a post 1997 uk licence I believe you can tow on a standard car licence without the trailer bit within the following rules

1 - the trailer must be lighter that the car and not exceed the the stated towing capacity of the car on the V5

2 - the whole rig must not exceed 3500kg (if more you need the trailer licence)

I often think about this as I wonder how many younger caravaners are breaking the law as keeping the all up weight of car and van below 3500lg is getting hard with the weight of modern caravans. I wonder how many of these people have the trailer licence (think land rover discovery and a big ish van and you are easily over 3500kg)

Pre 1997 rules are different but I don't know how as I didn't look them up as it doesn't apply to our household.

 

[andyinluton]

Not sure that quite right, the rules changed slightly:

1. the trailer does not have to be lighter than the car !
2. the rig must not exceed 4250kg - but in this case the car must be below 3500kg and the trailer under 750kg i.e. a 3100kg cali can still tow a 750kg trailer
3. Its all on the plated weights not what things actually weigh. So an empty 3500kg trailer weighing 500kg cannot be towed behind a California on just a "B" license
4. You will only get a "B" license when you change

 

[Bigted]

I stand corrected however if the trailer is more that 750 kg the whole rig must not exceed 3500kg. This link explains it


http://www.campingandcaravanningclu...ingstarted/newtotrailertents/towingandthelaw/

Point 1 I made was the 85% good practice guide (I.e. Caravan should be 85% of the weight the tow car) which I got confused about but I conceded this is not a legal requirement.

 

[estresao]

Got response from DVLA..... I have to pass the B+E test despite I've got my Spanish B license driving in 1987, so I'll start the process. I've read a little and looks like I could get it in a weekend?