• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Towing more than 3.5t with L plates???

G

Glenn_5132962

My mate, who passed his driving test after 1997 reckons he's legal to drive his outfit which weighs more than 3.5t as long as he puts L plates on the outfit & has his girlfriend sat next to him who passed her test before 1997.

Is he correct?
 
Hi,

I read somewhere recently that you can drive a vehicle needing a C-licence even if you only have a provisional licence.

BUT you cannot take a C-test until you have passed a B-test.

I think the motorway is out of bounds to provisional licence holders.

I think this means that having passed my test in a car in 1958, and again in a Bedford RL truck in 1959, and taught my wife to drive, I now need her to sit beside me, and wear L-plates when driving a 3500kg plus truck.

Or is it all a question of passing a medical?

602
 
Why this reference to a 'C' licence? You only need a 'C' licence if the towcar itself can already weigh more than 3500kg (which is unlikely). In most cases a 'B+E' is quite sufficient as it covers vehicles up to 3500kg towing any trailer with no weight limit.
 
Provided the driver has a full B licence - obtained before or after 1/1/97 they can tow a "larger" outfit on a motorway IF they display "L" plates and are accompanied by a driver with a B+E entitlement. The motorway restriction on learners doesn't apply to B licence holders practicing for B+E, C or D licences but a suitably qualified person must also be present - you'll often see HGV or bus learners on motorways.

By "larger" I mean an outfit where the sum of the two MAWs exceeds 3500kg or the trailer MAW (MTPLM) exceeds the towing vehicle's kerbweight - in other words the restriction imposed on post 1/1/97 drivers with B only entitlement.
 
Provided the driver has a full B licence - obtained before or after 1/1/97 they can tow a "larger" outfit on a motorway IF they display "L" plates and are accompanied by a driver with a B+E entitlement. The motorway restriction on learners doesn't apply to B licence holders practicing for B+E, C or D licences but a suitably qualified person must also be present - you'll often see HGV or bus learners on motorways.

By "larger" I mean an outfit where the sum of the two MAWs exceeds 3500kg or the trailer MAW (MTPLM) exceeds the towing vehicle's kerbweight - in other words the restriction imposed on post 1/1/97 drivers with B only entitlement.
Click to expand...
Slight correction - drivers passing the B test before 1/1/97 don't need the "L" plates or accompanying driver even if they're practising to take the +E test.
 
Now without trawling through all the legal blurb and there's reems of it, I believe you are ok on trunk roads to drive on Learner plates but if the tow vehicle is a private car, then you would not be able to use the motor way.

Rather than flying by the seat of your pants and risking some intervention from the Interplod, why not just dig deep and pay to take the test.

Steve L.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Back
Top