HUNDREDS of small businesses across the UK have being impacted by Government dithering over new towing rules after it abandoned compulsory testing. Only yesterday (16 December) the new rules were released by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
The Government abandoned the compulsory B+E driving tests in September in order to free-up examiner capacity at the DVSA. At the time it announced that new rules regulating towing would be finalised by November 15.
The delay has been causing problems for companies needing their staff to tow trailers as part of their work. Drivers who passed their driving test after January 1, 1997 were not allowed to tow. Any driver caught towing without a licence faced having nine penalty points on their licence – three for not having a licence and six for having no insurance. Fines start at £800 per offence.
New towing rules just released are:
Licences issued before 1 January 1997
New rules will not affect drivers who passed their car driving test before 1 January 1997. Drivers are normally allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM). View driving licence information to check. They’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.
Licences issued from 1 January 1997 to 18 January 2013
A driver who passed their car driving test from 1 January 1997 to 18 January 2013 is allowed to drive either of the following:
- a car or van up to 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total)
- a trailer over 750kg MAM, as long as it is no more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle (up to 3,500kg in total)
A car and trailer driving test will need to be passed to tow anything heavier.
Licences issued from 19 January 2013
A driver who passed their car driving test 19 January 2013 is allowed to drive either of the following:
- a car or van up to 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total)
- a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg
A car and trailer driving test will need to be passed to tow anything heavier.
The DVLA will update driving licence records to reflect these changes by adding a category BE to a new photocard driving licence. This will be done automatically and drivers do not need to contact DVLA. Car and trailer driving tests have now stopped and can no longer be booked. Any tests booked by individuals have been cancelled by the DVSA and will be refunded. Anyone who has had a test booked by a driving instructor needs to discuss this with the instructor. The DVSA says it will not compensate or refund any training or costs to prepare to take a car and trailer driving test.
Ian McIntosh, CEO of RED Driver Risk Management, said this delay was entirely avoidable and the government had created a “mess” when it took the decision to stop the B+E tests and then making the situation worse by not releasing the guidance needed to allow businesses to work.
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