new car=towing test help

Xk59D · 30 December 2011, 23:10

i've got a new car sitting at dealership for me but i'm now 40kg over the limit for using a B licence so i need to add the trailer test to my licence now :-(

i'm just wondering if anyone has sat it? the test centre told me i will need a minimum of 5 hours training at 30 quid an hour plus vat plus 2 hours hire for the test plus £115 for the actual test. i.e i'm looking at roughly 600 quid all in!!!!

has anyone just went straight for the test? i can't imagine it is that difficult if your used to towing boats about?

cheers

Boats&Outboards · 30 December 2011, 23:33

Firstly are you sure your over ? You have a max limit of 3,500 kgs all up, TrailerGuy has some excellent stickies on the laws - worth reading up on

Most instructors won't let you go right onto a test for two reasons

1) they will want to make sure your competent before using their equipment

2) they will need to make something out of it other than hire of equipment for 2 hours so usually insist on an evaluation before at least a 5 hr course regardless. The cost should be closer to £400. I can recommend one dependant on location.

You can book directly using your own towing equipment but the requirements are so high it's not worth it. Things like providing additional mirrors for the examiner, having the correct sized box trailer.

The test itself is not overly difficult with only one reversing manoeuvre (S type reverse/park) and a short drive. They also want you to demonstrate how to couple/uncouple the trailer the correct way.

Videos are available on YouTube which give a good insight into what's needed. Worth a watch.

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

Xk59D · 30 December 2011, 23:52

hi Peter,

my new car is 2065kg plus a trailer at 1500kg=over the max allowed on a B licence (3.5 MAM).

there is only 1 test centre local to me in Glasgow i know of so my options are limited, i'll look into more centres but the one i got via google is below

the price is dependant on the amount of hours required but to sum up-

Car & Trailer 5 Hours £175.00 B+E
Car & Trailer 10 Hours(Most Popular) £350.00
B+E - Car and Trailer Practical Test /Daytime £115.00 B+E (plus 2 hours car hire at £30 per hour plus vat)

as you can see it is not cheap and this will stop my buying a new car as it is a stealth tax-no more-no less.

by time i put a towbar on my new car i'll probably be about 800 quid or so...i love rip off britain.

cheers

jambo · 31 December 2011, 00:06

Xk59D have u tried the one at Prestwick for comparison can't envisage it being ott. Hope u get it sorted.
J

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Xk59D · 31 December 2011, 21:22

i went today to the one in glasgow-the 4x4 they had was a disgrace, it is obviously someones car which is fine but if it is for business i don't expect fag ends lying openly on carpet and ashtrays and stinking of smoke.

i'll try the one in dalry or see if there is another examiner/car available aswell.

cheers

Jizm · 01 January 2012, 08:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xk59D

i went today to the one in glasgow-the 4x4 they had was a disgrace, it is obviously someones car which is fine but if it is for business i don't expect fag ends lying openly on carpet and ashtrays and stinking of smoke.

i'll try the one in dalry or see if there is another examiner/car available aswell.

cheers

Sounds a bit shoddy to me. Good luck at the other one.

SW Boat Transport · 01 January 2012, 10:29

It might be cheaper using your own car and trailer (must be a box) if you have one available? When me and my wife did ours a few years back using our own car and trailer we paid £120 total to hire a instructor for the day plus the 2 test fees. Both of us passed first time, but I am glad we did the training before hand as there are lots of little tips the instructor can give you / bad habits they can weed out.

I am glad the test was bought in. Yes it is a bit of hassle, but before someone could pass their test in a Fiesta one day, then be driving something like this the next.

Nos4r2 · 01 January 2012, 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xk59D

hi Peter,

my new car is 2065kg plus a trailer at 1500kg=over the max allowed on a B licence (3.5 MAM).

there is only 1 test centre local to me in Glasgow i know of so my options are limited, i'll look into more centres but the one i got via google is below

the price is dependant on the amount of hours required but to sum up-

Car & Trailer 5 Hours £175.00 B+E
Car & Trailer 10 Hours(Most Popular) £350.00
B+E - Car and Trailer Practical Test /Daytime £115.00 B+E (plus 2 hours car hire at £30 per hour plus vat)

as you can see it is not cheap and this will stop my buying a new car as it is a stealth tax-no more-no less.

by time i put a towbar on my new car i'll probably be about 800 quid or so...i love rip off britain.

cheers

I wouldn't call it a stealth tax-think of the number of extreme muppets you see towing caravans they can't deal with and remind yourself that their numbers are getting fewer.

thomas · 01 January 2012, 11:02

Google box trailer hire, must be cheaper - I have a friend who is doing her test to tow horses, wasn't costing that much.

Quote:

someone could pass their test in a Fiesta one day, then be driving something like this the next

I passed my test in a Peugeot 205, wasn't long after I hooked up a bloody great trailer to go and pick a boat up

Xk59D · 01 January 2012, 11:40

if it wasn't a stealth tax it wouldn't cost so much :-)

i'll update on progress when i have some.

cheers

John Kennett · 01 January 2012, 13:31

Are you running your trailer at full capacity? How about replating it to 1450kg?

Vehicle weights explained : Directgov - Motoring

VIN-PLATES* :: Replacement Vehicle Identification Number Plates for trailers, cars, caravans, motorbikes.

Xk59D · 01 January 2012, 14:44

i had considered it John but given i'm still young at 31 (i think!) and i have a lot of boating days ahead of me hopefully it is easier long term just to do this test and move on.

cheers

ed_dash · 06 January 2012, 23:01

i did the test back in March, i had 2hours of tuition which was the instructor walking me through every step in the test. The reversing part was easy (helped by launching on awkward slipways), on road part was as expected, but the uncoupling and recoupling part was very useful and their method would have tripped me up had i not had the tuition before.

Im not sure exactly how much it cost, was a Crimbo pressie, but was around the £200 - £250 mark.

I was in a similar situation before i took the test, probably could have legally argued i was within the limits but thought its better to be safe than sorry.

Ed

ROG. · 22 January 2012, 07:21

The general all in price for a first time pass on a B+E test is about £650
Not bad really for a one off financial outlay which will last for as long as the B licence stays valid - generally for life

Learning the correct way to do the test reverse, the un/couple and the procedures that the DSA want to see on the road driver takes the time

If you have a friend who knows what the DSA want and will assist you as well as having your own set up which conforms to the DSA test vehicle/trailer rules for B+E then you could book your own test and save money

Xk59D · 22 January 2012, 18:11

i'll be sitting the test at end of feb by looks of it.

cost is about £480 all in for a half day tuition and then the test.

cheers

jambo · 22 January 2012, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xk59D

i'll be sitting the test at end of feb by looks of it.

cost is about £480 all in for a half day tuition and then the test.

cheers

Where are you doin it?

ROG. · 22 January 2012, 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xk59D

i'll be sitting the test at end of feb by looks of it.

cost is about £480 all in for a half day tuition and then the test.

cheers

Someone is ripping you off

Things are cheaper as you go north - here in the midlands for £650 all-in the B+E is 2 x half days training of 4 hours each plus 1 hour prior to test on day 3

Not much more in London

Boats&Outboards · 22 January 2012, 19:12

Down here (Plymouth) is £395 for 5 hour training + Test. That's including test fee. Before you can book you have to take a 2 hour assessment so the trainer can advise how much/little learning you require. That's £70.

So £480 seems fair to me

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

ashbypower · 22 January 2012, 19:44

Peter who's that with if I my ask, struggling to find anyone here in Salisbury for my son to take it with !!

Nos4r2 · 22 January 2012, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashbypower

Peter who's that with if I my ask, struggling to find anyone here in Salisbury for my son to take it with !!

Try this guy. KT Truckers in Devizes. Assuming he's still going, he's not very far from you, though the test will be in Swindon.

I took both my HGV tests with him many moons ago when he worked for another company. An excellent instructor.