Slightly OT but I trust you guys...

You have to take a new driving test for that group

steve robinson proclaimed to uk.rec.cars.maintenance ...

Kinda gathered that but where/how/what is involved?

Have you tried asking the DSA? Get to it via motoring under direct.gov.uk

cheers, clive

Same as a HGV Artic test which is actually a Cat E test.

First part of the test is done at a HGV test centre. You have to go through coupling and uncoupling a trailer. You have to then perform a reversing manouvre which basically involves reversing in a S shape, avoiding going over a painted line on the drivers side which simulates a kerb, avoiding a cone placed mid point in the manouvre on the passenger side, eventually stopping in a marked out box. You are allowed a couple of shunts to straighten up before reversing into the box.

Once you've completed this, you'll be taken to another area where you perform a controlled stop. THATS A CONTROLLED STOP AND NOT AN EMERGENCY STOP as there is no such thing in a Cat E test. You can actually fail for stopping too short.

Once you've completed those, you will be taken out for a road test the same as a normal car test although you'll have to remember to stick to the limits for a towing vehicle.

Conor proclaimed to uk.rec.cars.maintenance ...

Thanks Conor, that was the kind of info I was looking for :) Sounds easy enough, though I'm sure when you try it its harder than it sounds! I'll look into it further, cheers!

Clive George proclaimed to uk.rec.cars.maintenance ...

Not directly, I'm awaiting an email back - I was just checking with this place as there is a wealth of knowledge here on most subjects!

Willy Eckerslyke proclaimed to uk.rec.cars.maintenance ...

Good link, ta.

If you go for lessons, they'll teach you to do the reverse manouvre parrot fashion.

If you decide not to, basically you pull up near to the cone on the NSF corner. As soon as you start reversing, put full right lock on. When the trailer has started to turn, reduce the lock making sure you don't cross the white line to the right. You'll reverse past the cone and then it's a little left lock to steer it towards the box.

Not sure about the caravan test but on a HGV artic test, you had to stop the rear of the trailer in the middle of a hatched box. Driver training schools used to cheat by putting some white tape on the rear mudflap which, when it lined up with the front of the box when looking in the rearview mirror, told you the rear of the trailer was where it needed to be.

The reversing depends very much on what you are actually taking the test with. Oddly enough, the longer the trailer the easier it is to reverse (up to a point anyway) - short trailers change direction and go off-line so quickly. Reminds me of my old caravan manoevring competition days!

Yeah, it's the exact same test as an artic test. Rear of the trailer has to stop in the yellow box, and the cones are positioned depending on the size of the vehicle/trailer.

moray proclaimed to uk.rec.cars.maintenance ...

:) Cheers for the added info. I feel a little more "armed" when considering it now! I could do with doing this so I can help out as currently the only person in the family that can/will tow is my father.

Muchos grassy ass :)

Normal rules then. Go and find a big empty space & screw it up a few times. Stop before you screw up the rear bumper & go forwards.

Duncan Wood proclaimed to uk.rec.cars.maintenance ...

I've reversed a 24ft boat and trailer down a single track country lane with passing places to let a caravan pass, but under test conditions I can see it going to pot :)

All these tests seem like a bit of pain. If you wanted to be able to drive pretty much anything, would an Artic test do it? I only ask because I have a recent license and would like to be able to tow big trailers as well as drive lorrys.

Thanks

And remove your lighting board before starting to practice!

It depends on how many tests you want to do. If you do a B+E, then that's all you can drive. However, if you do a C+E test or D+E test, then you automatically get the B+E license, however before you can do the +E test, you've got to do the C or D test. You can't just go straight for the C+E test now.

And given the current cost of the relevant courses, unless you really need a LGV, or PCV license, is it worth it?

In all honesty, it would probably be best contacting some of the local HGV/PCV driving schools, as that's who I done mine through. The one I used, assesed me for free, and recommended how many days training I'd need. Think I had one full day, then another with the test after lunch.

The hardest part is the reversing exercise. It's at the start, so if you stuff up getting the back of the trailer in the box, then you've already failed! I'm sure there'll be a site somewhere that shows the dimensions for how they layout the area for doing the reversing exercise.

Hmmm, dunno if it's just me but when I towed for the first time I just jumped in and did it. No problems reversing or anything.