The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is currently holding an open consultation on proposals that would allow new drivers to tow a caravan without needing to take the additional B+E driving test.

The current rules for drivers looking to tow a caravan depends on when they passed their test. 

Those who passed before 1 January 1997 are able to tow a vehicle and trailer of up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM).

A row of parked caravans

In contrast, those who completed their test on or after 1 January 1997 can drive a vehicle that is up to 3,500kg MAM while towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM. A trailer over 750kg MAM can only be towed so long as the combined MAM of both trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg.

A driver would have to take an additional B+E test to tow something heavier – the DVSA has said it’s currently conducting 30,000 such tests a year.

The open consultation is being held to gather views on allowing the towing of a caravan without taking another test.

The proposed changes are being considered to help deal with the backlog of driving tests that have arisen since the pandemic started.

Should the test requirement be taken away, the DVSA say they would “encourage drivers to obtain professional training before first towing a car and trailer combination”.

The consultation runs until September 7th.

What do you think about scrapping the caravan driving test? You can find out more about the consultation here.

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