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having spoken several times to dvla and driver standards agency it apears that you will keep the b+e that allows any weight trailer so long as you dont break the train weight of the towing vehicle. b+e allows that this very moment and you dont lose it. there is no weight restriction on b+e only that the towing vehicle as a gvw at or below 3,500kg. i suggest if you dont believe me contact dvla or dsa. i agree it may not suit a vehicle to pull 3or 4 times its weight on a normal towball .but it is allowed and does not break any laws . i also have suggested that a mini artic or fifth wheel caravan is the way forward . artic is safer as it super imposes load on the the towing vehicle. most fifth wheel caravans dont actually impose very much and are not artics in the construction and use definitions. young drivers (post 97) can take a seperate b+e test allowing the same no vehicle/trailer weight ratio limits for category b+e. have a look on direct gov site .towing trailers or caravans with a vehicle up to 3,500kg. its right at the bottom its quite plain to understand. cheers alan.

snowy and the op. you are assuming you would be driving on c1+e ,that as the weight restriction of 7,500 +750 .or 8,250 kg trainweight. the idea is to drive on your b+e entitlement. its always been like this since the rules changed you voluntary down plate a light vehicle (as in kerb weight )to 3,500kg then use b+e to tow the original train weight stays ,it does not get a lower train weight just because you lower the gvw.

or use a modern transit .it as a train weight of 6.500kg. (can have ).and be driven on b+e. you must understand the catagories to get the way it works. i have said before i can down plate my 6,300kg gvw to 3,500kg . it weighs 2,700kg . it keeps its original train weight of 9,600kg .and can be driven on b+e. if you need more info give me a call 07971962361. i spent hours over the years finding out all this and asking the questions you are asking . it really doesnt seem correct i know but it is. cheers alan.

Greetings VWAlan,

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now my head REALLY hurts!

Regards

So, would OH still be able to tow our caravan after he is 70 if he just renewed his licence? (which isn't for 8 years anyway) 3.2 Shogun Field and Sterling Elite Overlander twin axle assuming we still have them or similar but I'm no good with weights. I think this is what we all need to know rather than a lot of technical info. (with apologies to the techies).

Anne

it all depends on the train weight of the towing unit . and the weight of the caravan. if the towing unit i under 3,500kg laden gvw then so long as you dont break the train weight yes carry on. the b+e never changes.

its confusing because most never study the b+e .. pre 97 licence holders get a fixation for 8.250kg but that only applies to the c1+e part of the licence. give me a call if you need to . cheers alan.

i need the trainweight of your vehicle .the gvw and the gvw of the trailer/caravan you want to pull. if you cant tell me the weights then i cant help you as we need to know the weights .you cant just guess .

Dear All

A long time since I have been on this site, but have been reading with interest this post.

I must admit I am very confused, I will be 70 in 2years & just want a simple answer to the question.

When I get my new licence at the age of 70 will it still have the following-- B,BE,C1,C1E,D1,D1E. ??

I drive a Ford Mondeo 2.0 Auto & pull a 15ft 2 berth caravan.

Thanks

JonB

I got this reply on another forum

Iv'e just checked the Govt web site about licences. You need to renew your licence at age 70, and when you do so as far as I can see the provisions for the BE category (which I assume you have) remains the same. Categories C1 and D1 are not automatically renewed so you have to re-apply for those separately.

i just spoke to the department of transport in london. on 0300 3303000. they are going to send me a written explanation so they say .hopefully it will be on their headed note paper and i will try to get it posted for you to make a copy . or make your own enquirey on tts.enquires at dft.gsi.gov.uk   hopefully we shall have a definative answer in the near future.

cheers alan.