B+E Trailer Licence: What Towing Rules Actually Apply in the UK

#What B+E actually means

B+E is the licence category that covers a category B vehicle (a normal car or small van) plus a trailer over 750 kg. The rules around it changed substantially at the end of 2021, so what your licence lets you tow now depends on when you passed your category B test.

For drivers who passed before 1 January 1997, the old combined limit of up to 8,250 kg between vehicle and trailer applies, and B+E entitlement is held automatically. For drivers who passed on or after 1 January 1997, the rules changed twice: first in January 1997 when the separate test was introduced, then again in December 2021 when it was withdrawn.

#The December 2021 change

On 16 December 2021, the Department for Transport withdrew the B+E test in Great Britain. From that date, anyone holding a category B licence can tow trailers up to a 3,500 kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) for the combination of vehicle plus trailer. There is no separate test required and no extra licensing step. Pre-1997 drivers still benefit from their higher 8,250 kg combined entitlement.

The change was made to free up DVSA examiner capacity during the HGV driver shortage. It applies in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own driver licensing rules and B+E continues to operate slightly differently there, so always check your DVLA or DVA licence summary if you are uncertain.

#Who can still take a voluntary trailer test

Although a separate B+E test is no longer required, the DVSA continues to support voluntary trailer training and assessment courses, often run by specialist driving schools and accredited bodies. Many caravan, horse and trade-related organisations run these as a competence check rather than a licence step. They are useful for drivers who have never towed before, who tow heavy or wide trailers regularly, or whose insurer prefers documented training.

Operators of business towing for hire or reward sometimes also operate a voluntary accreditation scheme. The training typically covers reversing manoeuvres, coupling and uncoupling, weight distribution, and on-road handling at length. Costs vary widely and are set by the school, not the DVSA.

#Practical implications for common towing

Even though the test has gone, the safety considerations of towing have not. The combined weight rules still apply: you cannot legally tow a combination over 3,500 kg on a category B licence (or over 8,250 kg on a pre-1997 licence). For larger combinations you need category C1+E or C+E, which means an HGV-style test. The HGV C+E licence guide covers what that involves.

• Caravans: most touring caravans paired with a typical family car stay under 3,500 kg combined and need no extra licence
• Horseboxes: depending on box size, many sit just below the 3,500 kg combined threshold; larger boxes will need C1 or C entitlement
• Plant and trade trailers: small builders' trailers usually fit under category B; bigger plant transporters cross into C1+E territory
• Boat trailers: light leisure boats are nearly always within category B limits

Whatever the licence position, your insurance still requires you to be competent. Insurers can refuse claims if they conclude you were towing beyond reasonable competence, and a documented training course can be useful evidence.

#How to prepare for towing without a test

The reversing manoeuvre is the single biggest jump from solo car driving to towing. Trailers steer in the opposite direction to what feels intuitive, and the longer the trailer, the more delayed the response. Practise on a quiet, traffic-free stretch of land before going public.

• Use extended towing mirrors so the trailer outline is visible past the kerb side and the offside
• Plan stopping distances at roughly double a solo car for the same speed and conditions
• Take wider lines at junctions to allow for trailer cut-in, especially at roundabouts
• Check tyre pressures and load distribution each time you couple up
• Carry a spare wheel and a chock; trailer-tyre failures are more common than car-tyre failures

For the broader context of UK practical tests, the main pass guide covers car-test strategy, and the HGV test guide covers the route up to bigger vehicle categories.

#When the rules might change again

The December 2021 change was driven by examiner-capacity pressure and was made by ministerial decision rather than primary legislation. That means a future government could in principle reverse it, but no such reversal has been announced as of this article's update date. Always check the current rules on gov.uk/towing-with-car before making decisions about a new tow vehicle or trailer purchase.