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Cat B + E
If you passed your car driving test after 1st January 1997 read on because you may have to take a B+E test.
Drivers who have passed their test since 1st January 1997 will only have category B and not have full category B+E on their licence. Without this category you will be ristricted in the type of trailer you can tow. Category B+E allows you to tow trailers up to 3500kg provided that you do not exceed the towing vehicles towing limit (always refer to your vehicle handbook for its MAM and towing capacities before using it to tow a trailer). Without taking a test you can only tow a trailer of 750kgs (such as the small trailers you would see outside local autostores and major DIY stores).
Drivers with only category B on their licence can provisionally tow trailers up to 3500kg if accompanied by a driver who holds category B+E.
What is Maximun Authorised Mass (MAM)?
This is also known as Maximum Gross Weight (MGW) or Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). With trailers, the MAM represents the maximum combined unladen weight of the trailer and the permitted load it can carry. For example, if your trailer's MAM is 3500kg and the trailer weighs 1000kg, then the maximum load permitted to be carried by the trailer is 2500kg. The maximum gross weight of the trailer should be displayed on the type plate.
The MAM of the vehicle refers to the combined vehicle curb weight (unladen weight) and load capacity.
- The MAM of the trailer must not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combined MAM of the trailer and the vehicle must not exceed 3500kg if the MAM of the trailer is more than 750kg.
- If the MAM of the trailer is 750kg or less the combined MAM of the trailer and the towing vehicle must not exceed 4250kg and the MAM of the towing vehicle should not exceed 3500kg.
