Go Driving News
Mar 10, 2013
Trailer Requirements for Test set to change
The DSA has announced that later this year all Trailers used for the B+E Driving Test must be laden to 1400kgs
This will no doubt have a major impact on
- The training (using a loaded trailer rather than an empty one)
- Fuel Economy
- Size of Vehicle needed for Training purposes
All of the above are likely to impact on the cost of training....my advice would be to book your trailer test before 30 sept 2013 when these changes come into force
Feb 1, 2013
DSA News B+E Training Courses Trailer Weight Rules To Change
See Below the latest update from The DSA.
From Sept 2013 Trailers used for the B+E Trailer Test will need to weigh min 1400kgs (min 800kg trailer weight and 600kg load)
Official Article :
DSA is introducing a real total mass (RTM) requirement for vehicles used for tests and proposes to consult on automatic transmission.
Real total mass (RTM)
The real total mass requirement for vocational vehicles used for tests will be introduced from Monday 30 September 2013.
It will affect vehicles in categories:
C, C+E
trailers of categories B+E, C1+E
trailers of categories D+E, D1+E
Initially it will only apply to vehicles registered after 19 January 2007. If you have vehicles registered before this date, you can continue to use them for tests, unladen, until 19 January 2017.
We'll update you with more information, shortly.
Automatic transmission
DSA is finalising proposals to consult on gear configuration changes for vehicles used in test categories:
C, C+E
D, D+E
B+E
If agreed, candidates taking a test in an automatic vehicle won't be restricted to driving automatics when they pass their vocational test if they've already passed their test in a manual vehicle - in at least one of the following categories:
B, B+E
C, C+E, C1, C1+E
D, D1, D+E
This won't affect the vehicles that can currently be used for tests and your candidates will have the choice of using any manual gear configuration or automatic vehicle with only 2 pedals.
The proposals aim for a more flexible approach to testing, taking into account vehicle technology developments, and are part of an amendment to the EU 3rd directive.
We'll update you once proposals have been finalised, later in the spring.
Feb 1, 2013
Pass rate 100% in January
Well done to everyone who took their Trailer Test (B+E Driving Licence) with us in Jan 2013. For the first time ever we recorded a 100% pass rate !!! 15 Tests , 15 passes - Incredible !
Febs first test is next tuesday , lets keep that run going.
Chris Allen
Head Trainer
go! trailer training
Jan 24, 2013
Trailer Courses & The Weather
This week's dreadful weather is having a knock on effect to the availability of DSA Tests for the B+E Trailer Courses.
As you can imagine , all those tests which were scheduled for this week but have been cancelled will be re-scheduled over the next few weeks.
This means that there may be less availability very soon - its not happened yet as many people have not actually re-booked a specific date.
So....get in there quickly , if you are planning to take a Trailer Training Course , get it booked without delay as all those cancelled tests are going to re-book very soon. You need to beat them to it !!
Jan 20, 2013
Trailer Course Pass Rates 2013
What a great start to the year !
Courses delivered so far = 7
First Time Passes = 7
Many thanks to all those involved so far...
Dec 18, 2012
Employer fines for failure to ensure staff have trailer licence
It's little known that Employer's also face possible fines if their staff are prosecuted for towing without the correct B + E driving licence whilst on company business
The fines are up to £1000 per employee
Can your business afford not to get your staff trained and properly qualified ???
Dec 17, 2012
Trailer Training Centre News
More information about the individual Trailer Training Centres is now available.
Simply click on the area link at the top of the Trailer Training page.
We have included a run down of how we process your Training Course from searching for your test to the course day.
Trailer Course Team
Dec 14, 2012
sponsor needed for a new freelander
New Freelander 2
This is one of those "if you don't ask you don't get" things.
We currently use a Freelander 2 as one of our vehicles...in fact it tows the trailer around for approx 45000 miles a year !!
We think it would be rather nice if there was a Land Rover Dealer out there who saw this as an excellent marketing opportunity to have year round publicity showing the vehicle in action.
(Other manufacturers will also be considered !!!!)
If anyone is interested please get in touch via the contact page
Many thanks
Chris
Dec 13, 2012
can you tow a trailer legally
Can you tow a trailer legally ?
• If you passed your car test before January 1st 1997
You are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up
to 8.25 tonnes MAM (maximum authorised mass). MAM is the maximum
permitted laden weight.
• If you passed your car test after 1st January 1997
You are restricted to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM towing a trailer up
to 750 kgs MAM, or a vehicle trailer combination up to 3.5 tonnes MAM
providing the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the
towing vehicle. If you wish to tow a trailer that exceeds these weight
limits, you will need to pass an additional driving test to gain B+E
licence entitlement.
Caravan Owners
If the Gross
Weight (Not the Kerb Weight) of your vehicle and Caravan weigh over
3500kgs then you will need a B+E licence entitlement too.
Consider this example - Land Rover Freelander has a max gross weight of 2600kgs + Caravan 1400kgs = 4000 kgs
Your Vehicle V5 Doc will show its Max Gross Weight which is the total
weight the vehicle should carry , including its own kerb weight
Gross Trailer Weight
This is the
max weight a trailer is permitted to carry , including its own weight.
So if you have a trailer that weighs 700kg but has a Gross Max Weight of
2500kg then the latter is classed as its real weight for legal towing
purposes
Gross MAM of your Vehicle & Trailer = Max Gross Vehicle Weight + Max Gross Trailer Weight
The possible Penalties for Towing Without a Valid Licence
- 9 Penalty Points (3 For the missing Licence entitlement and 6 for no Insurance - owing to fact you are driving without a licence)
- A Maximum fine of approx £5000
- Possible impounding of your vehicle and trailer
Is it worth the risk ?
Even if you believe you are entitled to tow legally our
advice is to get some “trailer training” if you have little or no
experience before you consider towing anything. Our “introduction to
towing” courses are informative and enjoyable. It will give you the
chance to gain some basic skills that you can demonstrate when using
your own trailer without the fear of looking stupid.
The B+E car and trailer driving test
- The car and trailer test lasts for approximately 1 hour 30 mins and is based on a mixture between the standard car driving test and the LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) test.
- The test comprises elements at the test centre and on the public road:
- Ability to undertake safety checks on your vehicle and trailer
- A reversing exercise
- A 60 minute road drive, demonstrating advanced observation, use of speed and management of space to a very high standard.
- An Independent Drive (10 mins as part of the 60 min on-road drive)
- Unhitching and re-coupling
Course Information
- Without proper training, many people fail the B+E test on the standard of their road driving, so all trainers are DSA Approved Driving Instructors . You will find us friendly and professional, we are also extremely patient and believe that learning should be fun.
- Irrespective of your previous towing experience, we will prepare you not just for the test (if you need to take it) but to tow with skill, confidence and safety.
- Reversing exercise training usually takes place on private ground.
- Intensive courses are available midweek or weekend. Lasting a full day, this is normally sufficient time to prepare people for B+E test success and beyond.
- Training is usually provided on a 1:1 basis, though you are welcome to share courses with a friend or colleague when appropriate. Discounts are offered for this.
- All training is conducted using our vehicle and trailer , although you are welcome to use your own vehicle and / or trailer if you prefer. We allow a 10% discount from any of our courses if you use your own vehicle.
Nov 10, 2012
christmas voucher gifts
What better (useful) gift can there be ??
We can supply vouchers ranging from a 1 hour Driving Lesson to a 3 day Trailer Course all personalized to your requirements.
Please give us a call on 0203 6519452 or 07990 761177 to purchase your vouchers
