B+E test could be scrapped

Not sure about scrapping B+E tests as there are enough idiots out there without adding  untrained ones to pool .

I bet not many on here took any sort of test before they started towing other than the standard driving test? As it happens younger people with and ordinary licence (post 1997), having passed the standard driving test, can tow a caravan albeit not a really heavy one but a caravan nonetheless. If to tow a caravan a test is required it should apply to all trailers? Likewise now can I drive a motorhome which weighs 3500 kgs but not one weighing 150 kgs heavier. It is all nonsense but unfortunately there has never been anyone at the department of transport or in Government willing to put common sense first

The driving licence changes came from Europe! We held onto grandfather rights for those who took a test before 1997 allowing us to tow trailers, and bigger vehicles up to 7.5tonnes.

LGV drivers have to take a medical every 5 years from 45 and I believe every year once 65. There is no driving assessment required, but now drivers also require a driver CPC,( renewable every 5 years) which requires some training (equivalent to 1 day a year I believe). It is this cpc requirement that stops drivers, like me, who hold a LGV licence from driving commercially. 

I think the CPC is what I have been thinking about.  It does seem to put HGV drivers off but then many professionals have to keep and prove their competence up to date.  

It is all nonsense but unfortunately there has never been anyone at the department of transport or in Government willing to put common sense first.

Spot on .

The consultation is here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changes-to-hgv-and-bus-driving-tests-and-allowing-car-drivers-to-tow-a-trailer-without-an-extra-test

Plus one

peedee

That's useful, thanks. I see people have until Sept 7th to respond on line.

I wonder if CAMC has an official view point?

 If it goes through, there'll be a large group of disgruntled people who forked out a considerable amount of cash to get their B+E

And lots of B+E instructors whose business will be very badly affected. (Including the club).

The piece that makes me laugh is where it says, people will be able to save money by not having to pay for the test and then goes onto say they would still encourage drivers to take professional training. As if that would happen.

So in 1997 the government introduced b + e to make towing safer and now in 2021 they are suggesting new drivers will be ok without being qualified. What's that all about.

Anything to do with road safety that takes a backward step such as this, to me, is ludicrous.

 ... Anything to do with road safety that takes a backward step such as this, to me, is ludicrous.

but do you ever feel that you missed out on training when you first started to tow? I suspect you just hitched up & got on with it like everyone else. And IMHO a 'younger' driver without the B+E is potentially less safe when they are towing virtually  weight for weight while trying to stay within the 3.5 tonne limit.