B+E Trailer test

[katie]

I am wondering if any of you have sat yours?

What is involved as I have booked my test for the end of the month and dont really know what tey will expect me to do.

I can tow a trailer and reverse and drive in heavy traffic etc, so that is not a problem, but do you need to know any knowledge and understanding elements?

Am very confused as the DVLA website is next to useless.

[meerkat]

Hiya, i sat this last year. There's quite a lot involved in it and i took some lessons before i did the test. I've loads of info on this and will dig it out for you later.

[nikki17]

would you be able to send me the information as well please Meerkat?

[Emma!]

And me, though I wpn't be sitting for a while!

[pammy]

Could I also get the information as well please Meerkat? If not too much trouble, thanks.

Pammy

[kermie]

I think someone posted info on a useful website somewhere....can't remember where though It showed diagrams of the reversing manoeuvres and had lots of helpful info.

[katie]

Thankyou that will be a huge help, I hope it is not too difficult?

[kermie]

Can't find the site I was looking for but this one has some info www.horsedata.co.uk/trailer_test.htm

[meerkat]

Sorry i haven't replied - been having the week from hell with work, must have driven close to 1000 miles and its not over yet. The link Kermie sent is really good, over the weekend i'll post more including a diagram of the reversing manouver that thats where most people fail.

[katie]

That is a really usefull site, would definately appreciate a diagram for the reversing part!!

Well test is booked for the 24th of March so fingers crossed. So all you aberdonians better watch out and avoid aberdeen!!!! Only slight problem am sitting the test at 8.45 in the morning and will be accompanied by every tom dick and harry trying to get to work ........... Not my best move!

[meerkat]

Ok, here's a diagram of the reversing thing.
www.strathearnrc.org.uk/Reversing.doc

the circles are cones. You start at the top right box, you need to reverse into the bottom left box without killing any cones! You are allowed to pull forward once, to straighten yourself and can also get out of the car once you are in the bottom box to check how far back you are (remember to put handbrake on and switch car off though!). You have to finish with the back of the trailer in the yellow bit.

Kermie's link was pretty comprehensive. The main thing is that you are essentially sitting your driving test again, so can fail on lack of mirror use, indications, position on a roundabout etc same as your usual test. One thing is found hard is that you really have to drive like you dont have a horse in the back. So i was tested on very narrow country roads with a 50 mph limit. If i drove those roads at 50 with a horse, that horse would never travel again! But in the test you HAVE to do the speed limit, you CANNOT hold up traffic cos you are towing. You'll be asked to pull in and take off on hills, remember to look over both shoulders before taking off.

It was 10 years since i did my driving test (passed in Ireland so when i transferred to UK licence they stripped away all my entitlements grrr) and so i had a number of lessons without which i would never have had a chance of passing.

Steps are

- Quick eyesight test (read a number plate from 20ft away)
- Show me/ Tell Me questions. Examples here www.dsa.gov.uk/General.asp?id=SXA3A9-A77F55C8&cat=213
- Reversing Test
- Braking Test. Two sets of cones about 40ft apart. Must be doing 30mph as you pass the first set of cones and be braked by the second. Basically a controlled stop without skidding, locking wheels etc.
- Out on to the road. About 1 hour.
- Back to center. Unhitch the trailer (in certain order, wheel down and secure, untie elecs etc, unhitch), park car next to the trailer. Then rehitch up, so you need to be able to hitch up unaided.
Thats it!!

[katie]

Thanks for that Meerkat, has been a huge help.

I am really begining to worry now! Will let you all know how I get on.