trailer L plates

Good morning all, I passed my car test after 1997 so restricted towing, my wife passed before 1997, can she sit next to me (like when learning to drive a car) whilst I tow a trailer with L plates on it?? Then once ive practised I can book in for the trailer test.

Don't think so...

practise on private land or book in for a dedicated course.

Course Introduction - The Camping and Caravanning Club

there are others to chose from...

dwdw said:

Good morning all, I passed my car test after 1997 so restricted towing, my wife passed before 1997, can she sit next to me (like when learning to drive a car) whilst I tow a trailer with L plates on it?? Then once ive practised I can book in for the trailer test.

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No she cannot. The rules changed in April 2010, so that although Grandfather rights allow her to tow a trailer that requires B+E entitlement, she can no longer act as a supervising person.

That's not what I was told by my driving instructor, I was told that they could act as a supervisor, I've driven several times with my mum as a supervisor

200tdi ayre said:

That's not what I was told by my driving instructor, I was told that they could act as a supervisor, I've driven several times with my mum as a supervisor

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Sorry, you are correct, as my partner has just informed me that this restriction does not apply to vehicles that come under the B+E category. Living with a solicitor does have some benefits after all. So, subject to your insurance companies approval, she can supervise you.

thanks all, looks like the "supervisor" option is back on.

dont really believe this, so keep pinching myself. Emailed DVLA (without much hope of a reply) but.....................Dear Mr (name removed by me)

Thank you for your email received on 3/7/12. Your email reference number is 969443.

As the holder of a full category B entitlement you are covered to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 3.5 tonnes.

Providing the Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of the vehicle and the laden weight of the trailer does not exceed 3.5 tonnes you can drive the combination as a full licence holder.

If the combination in question does exceed 3.5 tonnes you will need to drive on the strength of your provisional category B+E entitlement, display 'L' plates and be supervised. In this instance it will possible for your wife to supervise you.

dwdw said:

dont really believe this, so keep pinching myself. Emailed DVLA (without much hope of a reply) but.....................Dear Mr (name removed by me)

Thank you for your email received on 3/7/12. Your email reference number is 969443.

As the holder of a full category B entitlement you are covered to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 3.5 tonnes.

Providing the Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of the vehicle and the laden weight of the trailer does not exceed 3.5 tonnes you can drive the combination as a full licence holder.

If the combination in question does exceed 3.5 tonnes you will need to drive on the strength of your provisional category B+E entitlement, display 'L' plates and be supervised. In this instance it will possible for your wife to supervise you.

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Sorry to say this, but the DVLA are not entirely correct in this instance. What they didn't mention is that unless you have B+E entitlement, or L plates and a supervisor, the weight of the trailer, cannot exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle. Which admittedly does not apply in the case of a Defender or Discovery etc as any trailer that is heavier than the Defenders kerb weight would also make the entire combination over the 3.5 ton limit. It could however, be a problem if you are towing with a Freelander 1 or an 88" for example as these both have a kerb weight of just under 1500 kgs. which means that you cannot tow any more than that, even though the combined weight of tow vehicle & trailer is under the 3500 kg train limit. Confusing isn't it

Many got confused with the changes in the April 2010 supervising laws

Many saw the words TOWING TRAILERS but failed to notice the categories in brackets that it referred to which were C1+E & D1+E

I put this on another thread but thought it might be relevant in this one -

SUPERVISING A B+E LEARNER
In April 2010 new rules were introduced for those supervising certain learner drivers but they only affected those supervising VOCATIONAL categories such as C1 C1+E D1 & D1+E where the supervising driver had those categories given to them for free when they passed a pre 1997 car test.
They do not affect those with a pre 1997 B+E licence who wish to supervise a B+E learner.
All B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence and can tow an empty or loaded trailer on all roads including motorways.
The usual rules apply when a learner is driving -
The supervising driver must be aged over 21
The supervising driver must have held a B+E licence for at least 3 years
L plates must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and the rear of the trailer
Correct insurance for a B+E learner

Well it took a long time for the two agencies to agree, one said it is legal to tow trailer whilst being "supervised" on motorway & displaying "L" plates the other said its illegal. Having pointed this out to them & the need to have the correct information on this legal point they now agree..............

Dear Sir (my name removed to avoid spam)

Thank you for your email received on 1/8/12. Your email reference number is 95455746.

I can confirm that legislation was passed to enable drivers holding a provisional B + E, to drive on the motorway.

This is permissible as you will have already passed a test in category B.

The amending legislation was the Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 1996. (SI1996 No.3053).
You will need to display L plates whilst driving as a provisional driver.

I apologise for the confusion in our previous replies.

Regards

L Hodgetts
Customer Enquiries Group
DVLA
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]And from DSA[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Dear Sir (name reomved to avoid spam) [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Thank you for your email dated 6 July[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Regarding your query over driving B+E whilst under instruction on a motorway please see below for the answer.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Yes, same as all other learner/accompanying Regulations i.e. you must display L plates and be accompanied by a driver who is over the age of 21 and has held a full B+E for at least 3 years. [/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Yours sincerely Peter Ancrum[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Customer Service Representative [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Driving Standards Agency[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Asking about wife who has pre 1997 license is she able to "supervise" me whilst I tow the trailer[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Dear DW[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Thank you for your email dated 5 July[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I can confirm that anyone is eligible to provide tuition in Category B+E as long as the person providing tuition is over the age of 21 and has held a full Category B+E licence for more than 3 years. [/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Whilst learning you must have forward and rearward facing L-Plates attached to the vehicle and trailer while you are practicing. These must be clearly visible, and must not obstruct the vision of the driver, trainer or the examiner.[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I can also confirm a learner can drive on a motorway the same as all other learner/accompanying regulations.[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Andrew Pringle[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Customer Service Representative [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Driving Standards Agency[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]