Introduction to the car & trailer B+E test

B+E is the Driving Standards Agency practical driving test for car and trailer. No medical examination or additional theory test is required. The test is regarded by the DSA as the first step to driving Large Goods Vehicles and is examined accordingly. The duration of the test is about an hour and a half.

The practical driving test takes the candidate through a number of different disciplines and exercises. These include a reversing exercise (shown right), coupling, uncoupling and a controlled stop carried out. In addition to the trailer manoeuvring exercises the candidate must show the examiner competency on the highway including junctions, roundabouts, lane control, mirror routines, hill starts, downhill starts, angled starts etc.. At some point the examiner has a number of preset questions called ‘show me, tell me’ which must be demonstrated or answered. Successfully passing this test allows a driver to tow a trailer up to a gross weight (trailer plus load) of 3500kg. This means a vehicle and trailer with a gross train weight of 7,500kg or 8,250kg (7,500kg vehicle plus a maximum 750kg trailer).

For more information about B+E licence requirements, training courses or to get a copy of the manual ‘How to pass the Towing Test’ you can contact Towing Solutions through their website:

www.towing-solutions.co.uk or by telephone: 01625 433251