B+E TEST NOT ALWAYS REQUIRED TO TOW CARAVANS

Did you know that every driver who holds an ordinary category B car licence can tow a caravan?

The Camping and Caravanning Club is determined to educate the nation as, contrary to popular belief, drivers can still legally tow a unit as long as it is within the maximum authorised mass (MAM).

Drivers who passed their test after 1 January 1997 and hold an ordinary category B car licence can tow a caravan providing the combined MAM of the tow vehicle+ and unit is no more than 3500kg, and prospective caravanners will be surprised at the substantial combinations that fall within this limit.

The Club is highlighting this at the upcoming Motorhome & Caravan Show (Tuesday 15 October to Sunday 20 October 2013) at the NEC in Birmingham. It’s partnered with the Show’s tow-car provider, Hyundai, to allow drivers to test such a vehicle and caravan combination, using Hyundai’s excellent i40 and i30 Tourer models.

The Club is offering free 15 minute sessions with its towing experts, who will provide one-to-one tuition on how to tow a touring caravan safely, efficiently and economically.

Drivers that only have a category B licence, and passed their test after 1 January 1997, are also still able to experience towing with a larger vehicle at the Show, as they’ll be accompanied by the Club’s approved driving instructors.  

This is a unique opportunity at this show as usually, drivers who passed their test on or after 1 January 1997 are required to take an additional B+E driving test in order to gain entitlement to tow a caravan and vehicle  combination weighing more than 3500kg.

To book a towing session with the Club, visit The Motorhome & Caravan Show’s website: http://www.motorhomeandcaravanshow.co.uk/ or just turn up on the day.

Ian Hewlett, the Club’s Technical Manager, said: “We’re encouraging those thinking about caravanning, not to be put off because they don’t have the B+E entitlement on their license. We do, of course, always urge drivers to check their license before they travel to ensure they are adhering to the rules and regulations that are in place.

“I’d recommend that all of our members visit our website, which provides a comprehensive guide to towing in the form of data sheets - http://campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpandadvice/technicalhelp/towing.

“If drivers are still unsure of the law, then they can contact our Technical Information department on 024 7647 5282 from 8:45 to 16:45 by telephone or they can email us at techtalk@thefriendlyclub.co.uk. Alternatively, they can also contact us via our new Twitter account; @CCCtechtalk”

Ends

For further media information or images, please contact:

Jon Dale, 024 7647 5204, 07748 936464 jon.dale@thefriendlyclub.co.uk   
Kimberley Keay, 024 7647 5224, 07951 153074, Kimberley.keay@thefriendlyclub.co.uk

Notes for editors

1.    The Camping and Caravanning Club is 111-years-old and is the largest and oldest Club in the world for all forms of camping. It has 109 award-winning sites throughout the UK and, through a partnership with the Forestry Commission, now runs and manages a number of Camping in the Forest touring sites.
2.    www.realrichness.co.uk was launched on Monday, April 18, 2011.  
3.    www.newtocamping.co.uk incorporates all forms of outdoor holidays.

+ Unladen weight of car must be more than the towed unit MAM