Licences held from 1 January 1997

You’ll need to take a practical test to get a B+E entitlement on your licence if you passed your driving test after this date and hold a category B (car) licence.

You’ll need to do this if you want to tow a trailer or caravan heavier than 750 kilograms (kg) when the combined maximum authorised mass (MAM) of the towing vehicle and the trailer or caravan is more than 3,500kg.

Fittings

The vehicle must be fitted with:

• externally mounted nearside and offside mirrors (for the examiner to use)

Brakes and coupling

All vehicle combinations must have appropriate brakes and use a coupling arrangement that’s suitable for the weight of the trailer.

Trailer cargo compartment

This must:

• be a closed box body
• be at least as wide and as high as the towing vehicle
• loaded to the required standard (600kg)

Fees and booking

It costs £115 to take the test on a weekday.

You must bring your driving licence - photocard

Your test will be cancelled and you will lose your fee if you fail to bring the correct documents.

You must make sure that your driving licence is valid; photocard licences need renewing every 10 years.

What happens during the test

Before you start the driving ability part of your test, you’ll have an eyesight check and be asked 5 vehicle safety questions.

The eyesight check

You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of:

• 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate
• 20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate

Vehicle safety questions

You’ll be asked 5 vehicle safety questions. These are also known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.

The examiner will ask you ‘show me’ questions, where you’ll have to show them how you’d carry out a vehicle safety check.

You’ll also be asked ‘tell me’ questions, where you’ll have to explain to the examiner how you’d carry out the check.

Driving ability

You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions. If possible, these should include:

• dual-carriageways
• one-way systems
• motorways

You’ll also be asked to do around 10 minutes of independent driving.

Reversing exercise

You’ll have to show that you can manoeuvre your car and trailer in a restricted space and stop at a certain point.

Uncoupling and recoupling

During the test you’ll be asked to uncouple and couple your car and trailer.