B+E towing test.

Yo, MonzaNikki has done the test, the driving bit is common sense and attention to what's going on, best tip I can give is practice reversing. Don't assume the course they set in the test is going to be a specific size, just practice being able to back the trailer into any space anywhere. Make sure your hitching up is by the book and good luck. Sometimes it just depends on the examiner not being a douchebag.

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I use a 1994 Discovery, always towed anything I've needed it to.

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Just to let you know, you`re getting a little confused over the weights. For example, the Disco has a towing capacity of 3500kg, not a MAM or train weight of 3500kg. Same with the L200.......2800kg towing capacity. This gives you a lot more to play with. A typical 3500kg trailer will weigh in at less than 1000kg, so you can carry most vehicles if towing with a Disco, or any other 4x4 rated at 3500kg capacity. Best way to check is just look at the plates on the cars. These will give you all the info you need.

Regarding vehicles, IMO the longer and heavier the tow vehicle, the better. L200`s and the like are a bit harsh when towing heavy loads due to the leaf springs. 200 TDi & 300TSi Discos will tow most things, but are quite narrow and do tend to get dragged around a bit with heavy loads. Also, they`re quite a light 4x4, around 1700kg IIRC, which doesn`t help either. They`ll do the job though, it just takes a bit of getting used to. My preference would be a LWB Trooper, landcruiser, Range Rover etc. Don`t discount a van either. The best tow vehicle I have ever used is a Fiat Ducato Maxi LWB with the 3.0 160bhp diesel engine. This didn`t even know it was towing 3500kg, and is one of the only vans legally able to tow that amount (or is it 3000kg?......memory failing me now!)

I`ve done the trailer test also. They`re pretty hot on things like how you hitch up the trailer and if you know you theory, like fastening down loads etc. Everything else is straight forward really, especially if you can already tow and reverse a trailer. In fairness, the hardest thing I found was actually passing a driving test again, and driving how the instructors want. Sounds daft, but if you`ve been driving for a while, it`s easy to pick up bad habits.

I hope this helps, and good luck.

A tacho is only needed if towing for hire/reward or as part of your business (although this has been disputed in some cases) The laws with regards to train weight are the same no matter what the reason is why you`re towing. If you`re over the train weight, VOSA will be all over you, and they`ve been cracking down on this in the last couople of years too.

I could be wrong, but I thought Selby was caused by the Land Rover driver falling asleep at the wheel, and comig off the M62. He then couldn`t get the car off the tracks, just as a train was coming. I`m pretty sure he wasn`t towing.

Yep biggest tip, listen to what your instructor says,forget what you see/hear on the net,down the pub ect.

He is the person who knows what the examiner wants you to do.

Also be aware that it is the gross plated weight that is taken into account on the trailer,not the 'how much it actually weighs at the time'

For example, if i put our works 3.5 ton plant trailer on my Pug 406,it would be classed as 'over weight' for the tow vehicle.Even if i was just moving the trailer (empty) to another site.

As has been previously mentioned, VOSA are now the 'preferred' agency for dealing with this type of situation.
They are self funded,and are the only enforcement agency that carries chip and pin machines for on the spot fines.
They are no longer just interested in the 'haulage' industry,they can and do stop anyone that catches their attention.

Dum dee dum dum.

I passed on the first attempt today.

The training course was well worth the money and I must say my instructor was fantastic, very friendly and patient. It stands to show that both of us training today passed with only a few minors. The company was Cambrian Driver Training and they do Lorry and Bus tests as well as trailer tests.

Nah is was basic just a car driving test with a trailer behind. Obviously you have to remember the national speed limit becomes 50 and make allowances for the trailer all the time. There is only one reversing manouvre required and it is quite straight forward even if you do have to be precise, the rear of the trailer must sit within a 3 inch wide yellow painted strip at the end of the manouvre. You have to hitch and unhitch the trailer in front of the examiner at the end of your test.

Actual time driving on the road is 50mins including a 10min independent driving section where you are required to follow the signs to somewhere with no further input from the examiner.

It is supposed to be based on the lorry driving test though.

That is being precise (especially if you have the sort of vehicle/ trailer combination where you can't see the trailer unless its turning or got a load on!), what sort of trailer do you use for the test or is it down to you?