THE DRIVING LICENCE DIRECTIVE
 
The Driving Licence Directive was passed immediately before Christmas and IOL (as a member of CCPR) has met with key NGBs and representatives from the caravanning industry to discuss the outcomes of the legislation.
 
In regard to towing trailers, the new Directive will allow:
 
• Drivers with a Category B licence to drive vehicle and trailer combinations up to a maximum authorised mass of 3500kg.
 
• Drivers of a vehicle and trailer with a combined maximum authorised mass weight over 4250kg will have to take the B+E driving test.
 
• Drivers of vehicle and trailer with maximum authorised mass weights that fall between 3500 and 4250kg will have to undergo either training, testing or both if the trailer is over 750kg and the combination trailer/vehicle weight is over 3500kg (up to a maximum of 4250kg).
 
The final decision will rest with individual member states. However, if the UK chooses training, it will involve a mandatory seven hours of training, part of which must be spent on public roads.
 
When a trailer weighs less than 750kg, drivers holding a B licence will be permitted to tow provided that the towing vehicle is less than 3500kg maximum authorised mass.
 
All of the above is subject to the recommended maximum towing weights of individual vehicles.
 
Furthermore, from 2013 all drivers with a C1 and/or D1 licence (pre 1997) will have to renew their licence every five years. Successful licence renewals will be subject to a medical and a fee. Member states will have 26 years to fulfil all the requirements of this Directive.
 
IOL (as part of CCPR) and concerned NGBs will be joining forces with the caravanning organisations to lobby the Department for Transport (DfT) for training rather than testing for drivers of combined weights between 3500 and 4250kg.
 
As more information comes to light we will ensure our members are updated.

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