Towing Be Aware

Just to add a bit more when you get your new Theory test you then apply to the local motor tax office for your learner permit in category EB, you will keep your B licence and therefore have 2 licences.
NOW you cannot apply for a full test in EB for a period of 6 months and by the way there is a queue of 3 months for a test day so 9 months before you can get a full licence

What a great we country we live in

I'm going to do this test anyway.

Just had a look on my trailer. It is stamped for Gross Weight of 1300 With a load of 1000. I'm assuming that this is kg.

If the Trailer weighs 300Kg and the boat is 450 and engine 115 plus bits and fuel at 50 I have a Actual total weight close to 915Kg
I tow with a Ford Focus 1.8 TDCI with a GVW of 1950Kg. Total package weight of about 2865Kg. Well below the 3500 quoted by Jim, but above the 750Kg limit in point 2.

So going by point 1

(1) the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle and the combination does not exceed 3500 kg or

I'm ok, BUT

Going by point 2

the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer does not exceed 750 kg.

I'm not

Guy's, with respect to people who maintain otherwise, I am going to say this again, it does not matter what is written on any website, or what combination you might use to get away from this reality, If you take the time to actually talk to the rsa, the dept of the enviroment, and the motor licence people, you will be told that their interpretation is that a B licence will not cover you to tow ANYTHING WEIGHING OVER 750KG.
This has come up in many other forums, including showjumping and rally ones, with the same conclusions.
I have also spoken to the Gardai in Anglesea st Cork, who have confirmed that you cannot pull a trailer over 750kg unless you have an EB licence.
You might never get pulled over, or God forbid, have an accident involving your trailer, but if you do, and you don't have an EB licence on your head be it.
Let everyone on here who want's clarification ring their local motor tax licence office on tuesday morning and see what they say.
I'm going to get one, and cover may ass, at least I know at least that I will be 100% sure of my position then.
Dave

Guy's, with respect to people who maintain otherwise, I am going to say this again, it does not matter what is written on any website, or what combination you might use to get away from this reality, If you take the time to actually talk to the rsa, the dept of the enviroment, and the motor licence people, you will be told that their interpretation is that a B licence will not cover you to tow ANYTHING WEIGHING OVER 750KG.
This has come up in many other forums, including showjumping and rally ones, with the same conclusions.
I have also spoken to the Gardai in Anglesea st Cork, who have confirmed that you cannot pull a trailer over 750kg unless you have an EB licence.
You might never get pulled over, or God forbid, have an accident involving your trailer, but if you do, and you don't have an EB licence on your head be it.
Let everyone on here who want's clarification ring their local motor tax licence office on tuesday morning and see what they say.
I'm going to get one, and cover may ass, at least I know at least that I will be 100% sure of my position then.
Dave

+1

Just to add to all the misery the test price has just risen from €38 to €75 and there is at least a 3 month waiting time. Ohh and better still if it's your first "learner Permit" in a class and a previous one over 5 years old don't count you may not apply for a test in that class for at least 6 months making it at least 9 months so 2009 is cancelled

Also the RSA have now cut out all testers overtime and SGS's contract has finished so Saturday tests are no longer an option also selecting a suitable day is now no longer available so if your given a test appointment date that doesn't suit you're put back to the end of the waiting list

But all is not lost I know a good charter boat if you need one

I don't have a boat, but anyway...

have an accident involving your trailer, but if you do, and you don't have an EB licence on your head be it.

That is the bit that would worry me - the insurance company could say you were not insured. We'd need claification on that one.

Gents instead of trying to get out of or around the law on technicalities just go out and get a new rules road book, infact I think last year 1 was posted to every home in the country, read it as I have to admit there is a lot of new signs,rules,safety issues added,
Then get the Driving Theory Test cd and practice the mock test I failed the 1st two as the wording and answers or very simular and the disc covers nearly all the likely questions you will be asked. Remember you don,t need a qualified EB driver with you once you have a full B licence and if you need this point clarified read page 22 it covers this topic

Remember you don,t need a qualified EB driver with you once you have a full B licence and if you need this point clarified read page 22 it covers this topic

This is not correct you have been reading the 2007 ROTR booklet. Here is something you obviously haven't heard of!

"The Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, T.D announced that he is changing the lead-in time for holders of existing second provisional driver licences to let learners do their test by 30th June 2008.

From Tuesday 30th October 2007, all new applicants for driving licences will be issued with a learner permit. The rules applying to a new applicant? learner permit will stipulate that..

The holder must be accompanied by a driver who has had a full licence for at least two years..

The holder must have the permit for a minimum of 6 months of supervised practice before applying for a test..

From 30th June 2008 all categories of provisional licence / learner permit holders must be accompanied by a fully licensed driver of at least two years experience in the class of vehicle being driven"

Has anyone done the EB test? Do you just do the normal test with an empty, or loaded, trailer on the back? Doing a three point turn in some side street in Rathgar with a boat on the back would be nigh on impossible.

Has anyone done the EB test? Do you just do the normal test with an empty, or loaded, trailer on the back? Doing a three point turn in some side street in Rathgar with a boat on the back would be nigh on impossible.

It is the same as a standard "B" car test except it does not involve a "turn about" (3 point turn) but does involve coupling and uncoupling the trailer and reversing up to a loading bay

Hi All

Theres lots of different opinions on this thread and heres my two cents:

Generally i agree with Jim from Cork, except that i think the law specifies that its the gross vehicle design weight that matters, so actually going to a weighbridge would not be of any use as its the design specifications of the car and trailer that matters (rather than the actual load you are carrying, once its not overloaded of course). i think the fact that Jim has spoken to a solicitor strenghtens his position

I think i have to disagree with Dave Jolly on a few points, i have found some members of the RSA to be very badly informed about some regulations and i think that goes for some gardai too, especially on more obscure parts of regulations which this issue might be considered as. There opinion does not override the laws.


I think the most recent relevant piece of legislation is From Irish Statute Book, July 1st 2009. This is the stated law and is, in my opionion, a lot more important than the opinion of individuals at the RSA as its a published government document and is legally binding as such.


STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS

S.I. No 537 of 2006

Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006

Drawing vehicles.

7. (1) A combination of vehicles which consists of a drawing vehicle and a trailer shall, for the purpose of these Regulations, be regarded as a vehicle -

(a) in category B, where the drawing vehicle is in category B and the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle and the total design gross vehicle weight of the combination does not exceed 3,500 kg,

(b) in category B, C1, C, D1 or D, where the drawing vehicle is in category B, C1, C, D1, or D, respectively, and the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer does not exceed 750 kg,


I think were dezzer fell down is this:

you said your trailer has a GVW of 1800kg.

I know that the GVW of a trooper is around 2490kg

so that means your combination GVW would be 1800+2490= 4290kg and as such over the limits of the B licence.

If your trailer has a GVW of 1000kg your combination GVW would have been 3490kg and you would have been ok, just.


What we tow should generally be ok as its only a strikeliner 16+ (which i believe weights in at just less than 300kg) and the GVW of our trailer is only 750kg. But even if it was say 850kg we should still be ok going by the above calculations.

to be honest the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006 are a bit difficult to interperet but its seems to state clearly that you are in category B the drawing vehicle is in category B and the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle and the total design gross vehicle weight of the combination does not exceed 3,500 kg,

I am not sure if there is a more definitive source out there but i stand to be corrected if someone can come up with one. Bear in mind that what is published as a statutory instrument is, as far as i know, a higher law than the opinions of individuals at the RSA or DOE etc.

To back up the point various RSA publications and even their own website state (as of today):

If you hold a category B licence and wish to tow a trailer you may do so provided

(1) the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle and the combination design gross vehicle weight does not exceed 3500 kg

or

(2) the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer does not exceed 750 kg.

Thats how it seems to me