B+E test could be scrapped

I didn't pay for instruction but i did go to an old airfield nearby to practice with a friend who had towed for many years. So no, I didn't hitch up and go except when I took the van home from the dealers, about 6 miles.

Remember, I mentioned the B+E being introduced in 1997. Why did the government deem it necessary? 

I've just filled in the survey. Go straight to question 20 for B+E questions

... So no, I didn't hitch up and go except when I took the van home from the dealers, about 6 miles.

I think that you must be the exception that proves the rule then. I reckon most here just hitched up & went. I'd been reversing double axle trailers (a swivel axle at the front & a fixed at the back) around a farm from being 14 /15yr old, and hitched up our 1st caravan ... it was only little though ... and drove 20 miles home

As to what happened, I haven't looked but I would suspect that the accident statistics haven't changed (less accidents involving caravans) from before 1997 to now and therefore showing that it hasn't had the effect that justifies it's existence.

My training was hiring a caravan,  being told how to hitch up and then being followed by my father in law for 30 miles. That was it. 

 ... My training was hiring a caravan,  being told how to hitch up and then being followed by my father in law for 30 miles. That was it. 

... and yet you live to tell the tale .. 😉👍

Indeed ED.  Apart from giving more room when turning, I actually felt safer towing than solo as far less acceleration.

As an old relic, I have grandfather rights. I had no formal training, the first practice being a tow of my 5m boat down to the local sailing club. When I bought my first caravan, I just hooked up and went. 

I think that you must be the exception that proves the rule then

I don't think Harry is an exception, I did some thing similar taking the cravan to an industrial estate to practice reversing on Sundays when everything was shut up . I also did the C&MC towing course for which they gave a certificate. The tips were useful and It did inspire confidence. At the very least a training course should be compulsary if not a test. This would then be similar to the requirement fo what white van man has to do to drive electric vehicles over 3.5 tons.

peedee

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I think the problem with the current rules is that anyone can still "hitch up and go" provided that they've chosen a suitably lightweight towcar.

In terms of road safety, I'd have thought that minimising the weight ratio (and certainly keeping it under 85%) would be desirable, but that's just guidance. It's perfectly legal to have the mass of the caravan exceed the mass of the car provided that you don't exceed the caravan MTPLM and the vehicle's GTW.

If you've been driving around with a B-licence combination and just want to upgrade to a heavier (therefore safer) car... why would you want to pay £500-1000 to instructors to be trained for something you're already doing? You can't just go and do the test yourself as the rules about the trailer you must use, and the load which must be inside, are quite specific.

It's notable that the people who think there should be a test for other people have usually not had to do one themselves! Perhaps the answer is to require that everyone does it regardless of when they passed their car test...

I'd imagine a CAMC course would be more useful since you'd actually practice towing a caravan.