B+E Traing experience

It is worth mentioning that the test is done by a government department and they are the same examiners that test you on your original driving test or HGV test. So, yes it needs to be treated in a proper manner.

Hi

 

Where did you find the training centre you used in the end? Was it recommended to you? 

Many Thanks

 

Claire

£750 is a scandalous amount of money to tell you what you probably already knew. 

I'm  an old (er) bugger so already have the entitlement  .....

Did you use your own vehicle & trailer or were they both loaned as part of the test? ... like when we all took our initial driving test. 

What surprises me about these additional letters on your licence is if you do the B+E with an auto you restrict yourself to an auto even if you passed your original test in a manual. 😞

IMHO it was just an exercise for pen pushers somewhere.

Hi Both, I used CRH in West Bromwich, I understand they have a few centres around the West Midlands for HGV and B+E etc. We did the lessons and test in there vehicle with a small box trailer like a horse box. Yes it was a lot of money and annoying when you already feel competent, but something which needs to be done if you need to tow above the 3500kg limit and are of the same generation as myself. However, once done and complete you soon forget the cost and frustration of having to complete it.

This may be controversial, and anyone who knows me knows I speak my mind, but I personally think that drivers should pass a B+E test to tow ANY trailer. The standard required to pass a car test is woefully low, and here are these drivers hitching up caravans and other trailers because the weight is under a certain figure, makes no sense to me.

Just my two penneth.

As regards the seriousness of the test, it is no less serious than any other driving test, much the same a getting a licence to tow a trailer behind a coach or lorry. I am lucky in a way that I can and do drive anything, including artics, but I'll say something, reversing my little 4x3 camping trailer is IMPOSSIBLE! lol.

Let me put this out there - I'm sure its something thats been discussed/ranted about before... Having a post 97 licence i have a weight limit imposed on my car & van when combined - which i totally understand the reasoning behind.. and I'm completely OK with this. I am also within this weight limit and have happily towed with my outfit for many many years. Both car & van have performed effortless without any fault whatsoever. I would however like, if the opportunity arose, to perhaps change my car to something say a mid 4x4 (think Audi Q5) which my brain is telling me would be a 'safer', sturdier vehicle to tow with...? but with the increase in the weight, this now pushes outside the 3500kg so i would then need to fork out for a B+E test.. Im not tight, but i don't particular fancy forking out £750-£1000 to basically tow the same van that i have been towing for the last five years!! Anyone feel the same..?

 

Hi 

Not sure where everyone is getting these ridiculous prices to sit B+E I sat my test a few years ago using my own car and trailer the test cost £120. Other than doing a bit of reversing at the start the test is easy.

We have a VW tiguan and swift charisma our total train weight is about 3200kg so B+E isn't even required with our current setup, personally I think our current outfit is well matched.

"I sat my test a few years ago using my own car and trailer the test cost £120."

That's interesting   .... I have read all sorts of conflicting statements about the trailer you can use for the test. Many seem to suggest it HAS to be the 'weighted box trailer' thing which seems to be quite unreasonably restrictive, as well as being unrealistic.

You also seem to confirm that the unit you do the test with has to be BELOW 3500kg ....which again seems weird.   As for things like showing the examiner where the oil-filler is, etc, that is plain daft since anyone taking the B+E will have been asked these questions as part of their normal driving test......unlike many older drivers who may still to this day not know!

(Academic interest only....since I passed my test in 1966 )