Trailer Training Lessons & Courses UK
Our Main Training Centres
- West & North Yorks (With tests at Skipton , Leeds & Wetherby)
- South Yorkshire (With tests at Sheffield)
- East Midlands (With tests at Nottingham)
- Oxford / Newbury / Reading (With tests at Oxford & Newbury)
- North London & Essex (With tests at Enfield , Purfleet & Chelmsford)
- South London / Surrey / Hampshire / Sussex (With tests at Guildford)
- Kent / South East (Tests at Gillingham)
- Manchester / North West (Tests at Bolton)
- West Midlands (Tests at Wolverhampton)
Other Locations can be covered subject to test availability (please call to discuss)
Last Minute Courses Available
Booking Line 0203 6519452 / 07990 761177
Prices are shown below
Other locations may be available on the dates shown above - please call if you would like us to check other areas.
Our courses include the use of one of our 4x4 vehicles and 2600kg Box Trailer (See Pic above). Both meet the specific requirements stipulated by the Driving Standards Agency for the B+E Test
Check any quotes you receive from other trainers - do they include the training vehicle and trailer ? If not then consider the extra expense of updating your insurance for a few days , spare number plates , extra mirrors etc etc.
Our Pass Rate so far in 2012 - A Fantastic 81%
This is based on the result from all 119 B+E Tests our pupils have taken up to Tues 23rd Oct - not just the number who eventually passed)
The National Average for all B+E Tests in the UK in 2010 was just 56%
How do we do it ?
We put our excellent pass rate down to our "instructors" being fully qualified ADI's (DSA Approved Driving Instructors). To offer the B+E Training Courses it is not a standard requirement to be an ADI , but we believe it makes all the difference - as all across the UK , approx 90% of the B+E Test failures come as a result of something the candidate did whilst driving - Not the reversing exercise or coupling up. We have years of experience at putting right peoples driving faults and preparing them for very demanding DSA Driving Tests.
When seeking quotes for a B+E Course , always ask if the instructor is a fully qualified DSA Approved Driving Instructor.
Types of Course & Prices
Introduction to Towing / Refresher Training (For those with BE Licence already)
• 3 Hours in duration (Please Note - Available at Keighley West Yorkshire only)
• General safety advice – trailer Loading , vehicle checks.
• Coupling and Un-Coupling
• Reversing techniques
• Driving with a trailer - general awareness
Extra hours available at £38 per hour
1 Day B + E Course
• Suitable for someone who has some experience at towing and reversing
• Concentrates on preparation for the B + E Test exercises
• General driving skills are assessed and improved in readiness for the Test.
• Test held at end of the day (sometimes the following morning depending on test times)
Price (Based on 1-1 training) Discounts available for multiple bookings (e.g 2 or more people booked in same week)
- £ 300 (West & North Yorks)
- £ 340 (South Yorks & North West)
- £ 340 (Nottingham / Derby)
- £ 415 (West Mids)
- £ 445 (Oxford / Newbury)
- £ 445 (Essex)
- £ 460 (North London)
- £ 480 (Kent or Surrey)
All the above prices based on 1-1 tuition using our vehicle and trailer. (10% discount for using your own vehicle).
Course prices do not include the Driving Standards Agency Test Fee of £115
2:1 training not available on 1 day courses
Comment from our Trainer
"In my experience , someone with towing experience is usually ok with a 1 day course. It always amazes me when pupils tell me that other companies wanted them to do a 3 day course. Our first attempt pass rate of over 75% is complete justification to say that such long courses are just not needed." - Chris B+E Trainer go! driving
2 day B + E Course
• Extra time spent on Trailer exercises and is suitable for someone with little or no trailer experience
• General driving skills assessed and improved in readiness for the Test
• Test usually held on 2nd or 3rd day morning depending on test times available
Price (Based on 1-1 training) Discounts available for multiple bookings (e.g 2 or more people booked in same week)
- £ 560 (West & North Yorks)
- £ 600 (South Yorks & North West)
- £ 600 (Nottingham / Derby)
- £ 685 (West Mids)
- £ 715 (Oxford / Newbury & Essex)
- £ 735 (North London)
- £ 760 (Kent or Surrey)
All the above prices based on 1-1 tuition using our vehicle and trailer. (10% discount for using your own vehicle).
Course prices do not include the Driving Standards Agency Test Fee of £115
Company 2-1 Tuition Rates
2-1 Tuition available for Company bookings on 2/3 day courses - Please call to discuss this option
3 Day Course
- Suitable for someone who has zero experience with Trailers
- Ideal for the more apprehensive person who would welcome more practice time
- Test held at the end of day 3
Price (Based on 1-1 training) Discounts available for multiple bookings (e.g 2 or more people booked in same week)
- £ 740 (West & North Yorks)
- £ 800 (South Yorks & North West)
- £ 800 (Nottingham/Derby)
- £ 860 (West Mids)
- £ 880 (Oxford / Newbury & Essex)
- £ 900 (North London)
- £ 920 (Kent or Surrey)
All the above prices based on 1-1 tuition using our vehicle and trailer. (10% discount for using your own vehicle).
Course prices do not include the Driving Standards Agency Test Fee of £115
Company 2-1 Tuition Rates
2-1 Tuition available for Company bookings on 2/3 day courses - Please call to discuss this option
Booking Information
- Our instructor will meet you each day at one of our training centres or a pre-arranged location
- Courses that require a B + E test are usually available within 2/3 weeks but we may be able to offer earlier dates if required (sometimes within 7 days subject to availability)
- Our refresher course is usually available within 7 days
- Payment for the courses can be made by Bank to Bank Transfer or Paypal (Debit / Credit Cards accepted via Paypal) - sorry we do not accept cheque payments unless you have secured an “invoice” facility ++ with us by prior arrangement. (++ subject to VAT being added to the rates shown above where company invoices are raised)
- Upon booking we require a minimum deposit of 50% which will enable us to secure your place and book your B + E test where required
- Balance of payment due 14 days prior to course start date
Call Chris our B+E Trainer, on 07990 761177 for more information or to book your place
Follow Chris on Twitter by clicking on link at the foot of the page
More Information On Towing and the B+E Licence Category
Can you tow a trailer legally ?
• If you passed your car test before January 1st 1997
You are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes MAM (maximum authorised mass). MAM is the maximum permitted laden weight.
• If you passed your car test after 1st January 1997
You are restricted to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM towing a trailer up to 750 kgs MAM, or a vehicle trailer combination up to 3.5 tonnes MAM providing the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle. If you wish to tow a trailer that exceeds these weight limits, you will need to pass an additional driving test to gain B+E licence entitlement.
Caravan Owners
If the Gross Weight (Not the Kerb Weight) of your vehicle and Caravan weigh over 3500kgs then you will need a B+E licence entitlement too.
Consider this example - Land Rover Freelander has a max gross weight of 2600kgs + Caravan 1400kgs = 4000 kgs
Your Vehicle V5 Doc will show its Max Gross Weight which is the total weight the vehicle should carry , including its own kerb weight
Gross Trailer Weight
This is the max weight a trailer is permitted to carry , including its own weight. So if you have a trailer that weighs 700kg but has a Gross Max Weight of 2500kg then the latter is classed as its real weight for legal towing purposes
Gross MAM of your Vehicle & Trailer = Max Gross Vehicle Weight + Max Gross Trailer Weight
The possible Penalties for Towing Without a Valid Licence
- 9 Penalty Points (3 For the missing Licence entitlement and 6 for no Insurance - owing to fact you are driving without a licence)
- A Maximum fine of approx £5000
- Possible impounding of your vehicle and trailer
Is it worth the risk ?
Even if you believe you are entitled to tow legally our advice is to get some “trailer training” if you have little or no experience before you consider towing anything. Our “introduction to towing” courses are informative and enjoyable. It will give you the chance to gain some basic skills that you can demonstrate when using your own trailer without the fear of looking stupid.
The B+E car and trailer driving test
- The car and trailer test lasts for approximately 1 hour 30 mins and is based on a mixture between the standard car driving test and the LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) test.
- The test comprises elements at the test centre and on the public road:
- Ability to undertake safety checks on your vehicle and trailer
- A reversing exercise
- A 60 minute road drive, demonstrating advanced observation, use of speed and management of space to a very high standard.
- An Independent Drive (10 mins as part of the 60 min on-road drive)
- Unhitching and re-coupling
Course Information
- Without proper training, many people fail the B+E test on the standard of their road driving, so all trainers are DSA Approved Driving Instructors . You will find us friendly and professional, we are also extremely patient and believe that learning should be fun.
- Irrespective of your previous towing experience, we will prepare you not just for the test (if you need to take it) but to tow with skill, confidence and safety.
- Reversing exercise training usually takes place on private ground.
- Intensive courses are available midweek or weekend. Lasting a full day, this is normally sufficient time to prepare people for B+E test success and beyond.
- Training is usually provided on a 1:1 basis, though you are welcome to share courses with a friend or colleague when appropriate. Discounts are offered for this.
- All training is conducted using our vehicle and trailer , although you are welcome to use your own vehicle and / or trailer if you prefer. We allow a 10% discount from any of the course prices below if you use your own vehicle.
Please read what some of our previous customers think :-
Julie Broughton
Thank you Chris. I know I didn't want to take your advice initially when I called you , more fool me as I went and took a trailer test without much training. After failing (Badly) I came along to you in shame but you were very friendly and never made me feel silly. If you need a trainer with LOTS of patience choose Chris. Thank you Thank you Thank you !!
Frank Jeffery - Chingford Building Comp Many thanks Chris for your efforts over the last 3 weeks. We didn't need another "pull" from the local police and I can sleep much easier now that all my guys are "legal". Cheers
Sarah Connor - Jump Logistics, Newbury Chris, we just wanted to pass on our thanks for taking complete control of our trailer training needs. Everyone involved said how enjoyable their courses were as well as over-flowing with useful content. I know personally how much I have learned (and how much I had forgotten about safe driving!) We will be passing on your details to all the associated drivers we have to make sure they are aware of the B+E Licence needs - Thank you
James Edwards - Bicester Thanks for everything Chris. I am proof that there is almost no chance of passing the B+E test without proper training. As you know I took a test last month on my own and failed with 4 serious errors ! I thought I knew it all given that I have been pulling trailers on the farm for 5 years. My one day course with you was perfect. To start at 8am and end at 4pm with a Test Certificate and just 3 minor faults was just a brilliant result. I would say to anyone who thinks they don't need proper training - Think again.
2012 Roll of Honour (up to 30 April 2012)
January
Neal (Nottingham) - Passed at Sheffield
James (Barnsley) - Passed at Sheffield
Paul (Oxford) - Passed at Newbury
Gemma (Oxford) - Passed at Newbury
Lucy (Huddersfield) - Passed at Leeds
Gareth (Wakefield) - Passed at Leeds
Alex (Worksop) - Passed at Sheffield
Sean (London) - Passed at Enfield
Feb
Mark (Essex) - Passed at Enfield
Joe (Nottingham) - Passed at Sheffield
Keith (Keighley) - Passed at Steeton (Skipton)
Emma (Skipton) - Passed at Steeton
Andrew (Keighley) - Passed at Wetherby
Hassan (Bradford) - Passed at Wetherby
Luke (Stratford) - Passed at Newbury
March
Alex (London) - Passed at Enfield
Liam (London) - Passed at Enfield
Spencer (Aylesbury) - Passed at Newbury
Danny (Bicester) - Passed at Newbury
Ryan (Ripon) - passed at Wetherby
Adrian (Maidstone) - passed at Enfield
John (Bradford) - passed at Leeds
Jamie (Pontefract) - passed at Leeds
Steven (Runcorn) - passed at Leeds
Daniel (Ripon) - passed at Wetherby
Matthew (Huddersfield) - passed at Wetherby
April
Dave (Ealing) - Passed at Yeading
Joe (Muswell Hill) - Passed at Chelmsford
Alan (Keighley) - Passed at Wetherby
Graham (Rotherham) - Passed at Leeds
Derek (Epping) - Passed at Chelmsford
Billy (Romford) - Passed at Enfield
Phil (Ossett) - Passed at Leeds
James (Manchester) - Passed at Bredbury
Jenny (Kippax) - Passed at Leeds
Ian (Rotherham) - Passed at Sheffield
May
Ben (Colchester) - Passed at Chelmsford
Paul (London) - Passed at Enfield
Dave (Barnsley) - Passed at Leeds
Dave (Leeds) - Passed at Leeds
Tim (Ripon) - Passed at Sheffield
Henry (London) - Passed at Enfield
Suzy (Loughborough) - Passed at Nottingham
Patrick (Manchester) - Passed at Bolton
Gary (Manchester) - Passed at Bolton
June
Glynn (Leeds) - Passed at Leeds
Darren (Birmingham) - Passed at Wolverhampton
Dave (Leeds) - Passed at Leeds
Daniel (Leicester) - Passed at Nottingham
Paul (Leeds) - Passed at Leeds
Terry (Leeds) - Passed at Leeds
Leanne (Windsor) - Passed at Gillingham
Connor (London) - Passed at Enfield
Jim (Potters Bar) - Passed at Enfield
July
Philip (Hungerford) - Passed at Newbury
Alison (Nottingham) - Passed at Nottingham
Hagen (Harrogate) - Passed at Wetherby
Colin (Skipton) - Passed at Steeton
Lewis (Skipton) - Passed at Steeton
Aleks (London) - Passed at Gillingham
James (Crewe) - Passed at Wolverhampton
Luke (Aylesbury) - Passed at Newbury
Ashley (Newbury) - Passed at Newbury
Lewis (Liverpool) - Passed at Bolton
Lee (Wigan) - Passed at Bolton
Jose (Mansfield) - Passed at Nottingham
August
Chris (Bradford) - Passed at Steeton
Jossie (Silsden) - Passed at Steeton
Mark (Chesterfield) - Passed at Sheffield
Zubair (Bolton) - Passed at Bolton
Carlos (Liverpool) - Passed at Bolton
Patrick (Manchester) - Passed at Bolton
Gregg (Leeds) - Passed at Leeds
Josh (Leicester) - Passed at Nottingham