No Trailer Licence – No Insurance?

Do you need to use a trailer for your work or farm?  If so, you must hold the appropriate licence.  If you don’t have the correct licence, you may not be insured in the event of an accident.

Most people who hold a driving licence for a car or jeep have a category B driving licence, which allows you to tow a small trailer.  Under this you can drive a vehicle towing a trailer, firstly, where the maximum authorised mass (MAM) of the trailer is not greater than 750kg.  Secondly, in instances where the MAM of the trailer exceeds 750kg, but the combined MAM of the towing vehicle and the trailer is not greater than 3,500kg.

If you hold a category B driving licence and wish to pull a larger trailer, whose combined weight of vehicle, trailer and trailer contents exceeds 3,500kg, you will need to apply for a category BE driving.

You must be at least 18 years to apply for this licence.

Most significantly, like the category B licence you will have to apply for a provisional licence and successfully complete a driving test for this category of licence.

The big question for most farmers will be whether or not they should apply for the licence and sit the test.  Remember, if you are driving without an adequate driving licence then your car or jeep insurance may well refuse to indemnify you in the case of an accident.

You should also bear in mind that if prosecuted the implications on conviction are very serious.

Contact us for further advice.