20/05/2024
Who's taking the horse to France?
No this article is not about butter but Driving Licences. If you were planning on taking your horse to France or indeed anywhere you will need the proper driving licence.
Your standard car licence or category B licence allows you drive a vehicle or indeed vehicle and trailer with a combined Gross Vehicle Weight of 3,500kg. Many people will do sums and think they're ok. For example, my suv weighs 1,800kg laden, my horsebox weighs 900kg and my horse weighs another 600kg. Adding them all up, that's 3,300kg or well under 3,500kg. So ok yes?
NO
Your category B licence entitles you to a maximum Gross Vehicle Weight of 3,500 kg. Your average SUV while weighing 1,700kg unladen likely has a Gross Vehicle Weight or Maximum Allowable Mass of around 2,600kg. Your horsebox which will likely be plated with its GVW or MAM will likely have a GVW of 2,500kg so no go on a category B licence EVEN IF EMPTY!!
The exact same rules apply to Car Transport trailers and other larger trailers. Caravans however tend to have a much lower GVW or MAM.
You can still tow a trailer though on a category B licence but this will most likely be a single axle, braked if over 750kg GVW but not exceeding a combined rig GVW of 3,500kg.
For more go to the safe link below
Towing a trailer with the correct car and licence is important, find out the application form you'll need to tow a large trailer.
