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[Sir Tigger KC]

Is it still the case that if you take your driving test in a car with an automatic gearbox, you can't drive a manual? 

[Doctor Gollum]

Yup.

And if you take a Car and trailer test in an auto, you can only tow using an auto, even if you hold a manual licence.

For the bigger stuff, you can take the test in either manual or auto bearing in mind that manual trucks and buses are rare, if you only hold an auto you can only drive an auto truck/bus but if you have a manual car licence, you can drive either regardless of what you passed your C/D test in.

[Shackeng]

Yup.

And if you take a Car and trailer test in an auto, you can only tow using an auto, even if you hold a manual licence.

For the bigger stuff, you can take the test in either manual or auto bearing in mind that manual trucks and buses are rare, if you only hold an auto you can only drive an auto truck/bus but if you have a manual car licence, you can drive either regardless of what you passed your C/D test in.

I never knew you had to take a test to tow a trailer. 

[TheBoy]

Yup.

And if you take a Car and trailer test in an auto, you can only tow using an auto, even if you hold a manual licence.

For the bigger stuff, you can take the test in either manual or auto bearing in mind that manual trucks and buses are rare, if you only hold an auto you can only drive an auto truck/bus but if you have a manual car licence, you can drive either regardless of what you passed your C/D test in.

I never knew you had to take a test to tow a trailer. 

Only millennials.  Old duffers like us don't

[Nick W]

Yup.

And if you take a Car and trailer test in an auto, you can only tow using an auto, even if you hold a manual licence.

For the bigger stuff, you can take the test in either manual or auto bearing in mind that manual trucks and buses are rare, if you only hold an auto you can only drive an auto truck/bus but if you have a manual car licence, you can drive either regardless of what you passed your C/D test in.

I never knew you had to take a test to tow a trailer. 

there was an overdue change to licensing in 1998, which removed many of the categories that were included in passing a car test. Those included >3.5tonne, trailers, motor bike provisional and a number of industrial machinery classes.

[Andy B]

Yup.

And if you take a Car and trailer test in an auto, you can only tow using an auto, even if you hold a manual licence.  ....

I find this bit bizarre. IMHO the 'trailer test' is testing you on manoeuvring & connecting the trailer, not testing your ability to control the vehicle.

The whole thing is ill thought out and ends up with people towing weight for weight cos they don't want to exceed the magic 3500kg gross train weight when they'd have been safer towing their trailer/glider/boat/etc with a a big 4x4 rather than a mid-sized Eurobox.

[Rangie]

Yup.

And if you take a Car and trailer test in an auto, you can only tow using an auto, even if you hold a manual licence.

For the bigger stuff, you can take the test in either manual or auto bearing in mind that manual trucks and buses are rare, if you only hold an auto you can only drive an auto truck/bus but if you have a manual car licence, you can drive either regardless of what you passed your C/D test in.

I never knew you had to take a test to tow a trailer. 

Only millennials.  Old duffers like us don't

.   


Us old duffers are better drivers all round anyway 😀😃😄

[Viral_Jim]

Despite being affected by having to take the trailer test (still on my to do list), I completely agree with it. The idea of taking your test in fiesta and then being immediately allowed to tow a 7t combination of land cruiser and trailer always struck me as bonkers.

Given the level of performance on offer from 'normal' cars these days (golf R, m140i, focus st etc) I'd be in favour of a staged car licence, similar to the motorcycle 'big bike' test.

Not that I think it's likely to happen.

[VXL V6]

Yes, us old duffers have 'grandfather' rights for towing and a couple of other categories although CPC required in some cases


Stepdaughter is in the process of obtaining a C1 entitlement as part of her apprenticeship with the Ambulance Service as Ambulances fall into that category due to weight, She can drive a Patient Transport vehicle (basically a minibus with a ramp) though which, while not the weight of an Ambulance, can carry far more people...

The licence changes in 1997 were needed and long overdue.

[Andy B]

Despite being affected by having to take the trailer test (still on my to do list), I completely agree with it. The idea of taking your test in fiesta and then being immediately allowed to tow a 7t combination of land cruiser and trailer always struck me as bonkers.  ....

but it's OK/sensible to tow a 1750kg trailer with a 1750kg tow car ...... 

[VXL V6]

Despite being affected by having to take the trailer test (still on my to do list), I completely agree with it. The idea of taking your test in fiesta and then being immediately allowed to tow a 7t combination of land cruiser and trailer always struck me as bonkers.  ....

but it's OK/sensible to tow a 1750kg trailer with a 1750kg tow car ...... 

Tail wagging the dog methinks.

[Doctor Gollum]

Yup.

And if you take a Car and trailer test in an auto, you can only tow using an auto, even if you hold a manual licence.  ....

I find this bit bizarre. IMHO the 'trailer test' is testing you on manoeuvring & connecting the trailer, not testing your ability to control the vehicle.

The whole thing is ill thought out and ends up with people towing weight for weight cos they don't want to exceed the magic 3500kg gross train weight when they'd have been safer towing their trailer/glider/boat/etc with a a big 4x4 rather than a mid-sized Eurobox.

Trailer test includes a road test

[Viral_Jim]

Despite being affected by having to take the trailer test (still on my to do list), I completely agree with it. The idea of taking your test in fiesta and then being immediately allowed to tow a 7t combination of land cruiser and trailer always struck me as bonkers.  ....

but it's OK/sensible to tow a 1750kg trailer with a 1750kg tow car ...... 

As a newly qualified driver, no, I don't think it is, hence my next point about tiered car licences. I think the pre-97 rules were completely bonkers, I think the system we have now is better but doesn't go far enough.

[Doctor Gollum]

The 3.5t/8 passenger seat cut off is pretty sensible as it allows larger families to have appropriate vehicles for their needs ie a 9 seat VW transporter is over 3t loaded.

Loaded, most 7 seat MPVs are knocking around 2.5t

[Andy B]

Yup.

And if you take a Car and trailer test in an auto, you can only tow using an auto, even if you hold a manual licence.  ....

I find this bit bizarre. IMHO the 'trailer test' is testing you on manoeuvring & connecting the trailer, not testing your ability to control the vehicle.

The whole thing is ill thought out and ends up with people towing weight for weight cos they don't want to exceed the magic 3500kg gross train weight when they'd have been safer towing their trailer/glider/boat/etc with a a big 4x4 rather than a mid-sized Eurobox.

Trailer test includes a road test

I know .... I'd considered that a road test would also include manoeuvring the outfit ...