As part of measures to address the shortage of drivers for heavy trucks in the UK, an additional test for towing a trailer will no longer be required.
The British government has decided to remove the requirement for drivers to take additional tests to tow a trailer.
This follows a public consultation aimed at getting more HGV drivers on the road.
Along with other measures, the Department for Transport believes that an additional 50,000 tests could be carried out each year.
The new regulations will come into force in the autumn.,
What are the current rules for towing a trailer in Britain?
The law currently states that those who have passed their driving test after 1 January 1997 may drive a car or van with a MAM of up to 3,500kg (maximum permissible weight) towing a trailer of up to 750kg (up to 4,250kg in total).
Alternatively, they may tow a trailer with a weight greater than 750 kg as long as it does not exceed the tractor’s own weight (up to 3,500 kg in total).
The licences issued on 19 January 2013 allowed the towing of a trailer with a weight of more than 750 kg, provided that the total weight of the trailer and the tractor does not exceed 3,500 kg.
To tow anything heavier, drivers must pass a trailer test .
Those who obtained their driving licence before January 1997 were allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer weighing up to 8,250 kg (MAM) without a test.
What will the new trailer towing regulations allow?
When the law changes in the autumn, drivers who passed their driving test after 1 January 1997 will be allowed to tow trailers weighing up to 3,500kg without taking an additional driving test for cars and trailers.
The DVLA will automatically update your driving licence records to reflect the changes. When your licence is renewed, it will show the category ‘BE’ on your licence.
There is no need to contact the DVLA directly to obtain an updated category.
The changes will only affect England, Wales and Scotland. As Northern Ireland issues licences through a separate driver and vehicle agency, the new rules will not affect locals.
What can I tow before the new rules come into force?
The government has not set an exact date for the new rules to come into force. Until that date, drivers must comply with the current restrictions on their driving licence.
Towing a trailer heavier than your licence allows could result in a fine of up to £1,000.
Drivers may continue to use L-plates to monitor trailer towing.
What do I do if I already have a trailer test booked?
To quickly address the shortage of truck drivers, the DVSA will discontinue all trailer tests after 20 September 2021.
For tests booked before 20 September, drivers can take the test as planned. Alternatively, the tests can be cancelled with a fee refund to the DVSA.
Tests booked after 20 September 2021 will automatically be cancelled and reimbursed by the DVSA.
No private tuition will be paid for cancelled tests.
Will the rule changes affect road safety?
As reported last month, road safety charity IAM RoadSmart was concerned about the government’s proposals to remove licence test requirements.
Neil Greig of IAM RoadSmart previously commented, “People need proper training to be able to drive an articulated vehicle, especially when they are doing it for the first time.”
As part of the legislative changes, the government will still recommend that drivers take trailer lessons from a professional instructor before their first towing.
What other changes are being made to the driving test?
It is estimated that the new rules for trailers will allow for an additional 30,000 truck tests each year.
The truck tests themselves will also be simplified: the reversing element and the “disengage and re-grip” exercise will be removed. Instead of DVSA testing, they will be assessed by a separate third party.
Finally, HGV drivers will be able to go straight into articulated vehicle use without having to first obtain a licence for a smaller vehicle. This will free up capacity for an additional 20,000 tests each year.
According to the Road Haulage Association, there is currently a shortage of around 100,000 professional HGV drivers in the UK.