Whereas in the past no extra lessons and exam were required for driving a trailer or trailer, this is often the case nowadays. But within which limits can you drive with a trailer without that specific BE certificate? And, if this is not possible, how is this BE driving license obtained and what are the requirements?
After obtaining the regular B driving license you sometimes want something extra. An afternoon to the Veluwe with 2 horses or by caravan to France. Now there are some exceptions that allow you to bring a trailer without needing this BE driving license. In practice, many people appear not to be well aware of these rules, which means they drive with a combination that is too heavy.
When a BE driving license?
If you have a trailer behind your passenger car that does not weigh more than 750 kilograms including loading capacity, you can transport it without any problems with only a B driving license.
If the trailer is now heavier than 750 kilograms, you may tow it with only a B driving license, provided that:
- The trailer, including payload, does not weigh more than the unladen mass of the towing motor vehicle.
- The permissible maximum mass of the total combination does not exceed 3500 kilograms.
If you only meet one of the above requirements, a BE driving license is required.
Possibilities and requirements
There are many driving schools that offer an E behind B course in one day. There are also driving schools where a few hours of lessons can be taken several times to get it this way.
During the driving test itself you will meet the examiner, after which he can ask some theoretical questions about the combination or, for example, the nose weight. After this you should be able to read the license plate of a stationary car, this is to check your eyes. Then you need to perform some checks and couple the trailer.
During the ride, the examiner will pay attention to, among other things, viewing behavior and the granting of priority, but also whether you are aware of the length of the combination. In addition, part of the exam can be in and out. Special operations that may be required during the E behind B exam are driving straight backwards with the combination and making a turn backwards, both left and right. You may also need to be able to place the combination in a specific place. After the exam, you must of course also be able to uncouple the trailer again.
Theory
During the theoretical questions you may keep the registration papers of both the car and the trailer with you to look up information. Theory to be mastered consists of:
- Knowing when a BE driving license is required for a combination and being able to explain this
- The difference between a braked and an unbraked trailer
- Knowing whether the car needs MOT papers
- Look up the length and width of the trailer
- Knowing how to get the length and width of the car
- Know the maximum length, width and height of the total combination
- Know the maximum length, width and height of the car
- Know the load capacity of the trailer and car
- Knowing what the maximum load under the coupling is
- Know the nose weight of the towbar
- Knowing what kind of trailer is behind the car
- Know if the trailer has an open layout and understand what that means with regard to the load
- Know the weight of the trailer including load