( TRANSPORT ) The Legal Road by Trevor Whitear of JLD Driver Training Ltd
D
riving with a trailer or carrying a heavy load will have a massive effect on stability and control. This means that it is a good idea to have training in all aspects of driving large vehicles. At JLD Driver Training Ltd we teach the importance of awareness and planning, speed on approach, road positioning, control, judgement and how to reverse. We will teach you how to use your mirrors safely and effectively, acting correctly on what you see and also covering blind spots for the areas you can’t. We will explain the correct use of signals, which is particularly important in helping other road users and pedestrians and will make sure you know how to make safe and reasonable progress along the road, keeping in mind the type of vehicle, the road, traffic and weather conditions. If towing a trailer we also teach how to couple and uncouple safely. Our intensive courses vary in length, from 3 days for a car and trailer up to 5 days for a category C vehicle. On the last day of the course you will be tested by a DVSA examiner on our own accredited test area and upon a successful result will have the new entitlement put onto your driving licence.
The rules on what you can tow are different depending on when you passed your driving test. If you passed your car driving test on or after 1 January 1997 you can:
• drive a car or van up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM. • tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg.
MAM is the limit on how much the vehicle can weigh when it’s loaded.
Even if it is technically legal to tow with your vehicle, if the weight of the trailer and load you are carrying is close to the pulling vehicles max towing capacity you may struggle to tow in certain conditions. If you have to brake or change direction suddenly, with half a tonne of
moving load, it is all too easy to have an accident. Occasionally you may be travelling over soft ground and may think a 4x4 is a good option. These vehicles, however, are often heavier which will put the combined MAM to the upper limits or beyond of what is allowed before requiring a new category on your licence.
The weight of your horse or how many horses you wish to transport will ultimately dictate the type of vehicle you will require.
Types of vehicles: B+E (Car up to 3.5t and Trailer) C1 (Rigid vehicle up to 7.5t)
C1+E (Rigid vehicle up to 7.5t plus Trailer) C (Rigid vehicle over 7.5t)
C+E (Rigid vehicle over 7.5t plus Trailer)
The tests involve: Medicals for any category beginning with a C. Theory test and hazard perception test for category C vehicles. Driving test for all categories.
Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) for all C categories if the resulting licence is being used for professional purposes, or if the driving candidate is aged between the ages of 18 and 21.
The Driving test: Tests are slightly different for each category, but will cover the following:
• An eyesight check (read a number plate from 20m for Cat B+E only)
• ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions • Reversing your vehicle. You’ll have to show that you can manoeuvre your car and trailer into a restricted space and stop at a certain point.
• General driving ability. You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions, including motorways where possible. The examiner will give you directions that you should follow.
• Independent driving. You’ll have to drive for about 10 minutes by following either traffic signs, a series of verbal directions or a combination of both.
• Uncoupling and recoupling the trailer. You’ll be asked to uncouple your car from the trailer, park the car alongside the trailer and then realign the car with the trailer and recouple them. (For Cat with +E only).
You’ll drive for around 50 minutes to an hour.
Typical costs involved can differ dramatically depending on the type of vehicle and length of course needed. At JLD we offer a wide range of packages to help you obtain the licence you require. We can take care of everything from booking your medical and theory tests to providing you with the best possible driver training.
For more information call 0845 202 80 81 or email:
info@jldlgv.co.uk www.jldlgv.co.uk
72 MARCH/APRIL 2019 For the latest news visit
www.centralhorsenews.co.uk
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