Trailer law change suspended over safety concerns
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A change in the law which would have allowed drivers who passed their car test after 1 January 1, 1997 to tow a trailer weighing up to 3500kg without taking a separate test as of Monday, November 15 has been put on hold.
The changes are now set to be scrutinised further after being challenged in parliament due to road safety concerns.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) confirmed in September its intention to change the law in an effort to free up testing capacity to tackle the shortage of qualified lorry drivers.
A DVSA spokesperson said: “Legislative changes to the B+E licence are currently going through the parliamentary process.
“The delay to introducing these changes is due to the B+E debate in the House of Commons not concluding within the time available on Monday, November 8.
“DVSA will update the public once a date for implementation is confirmed.”
Some drivers are now left in limbo as the DVSA stopped B+E trailer tests on September 20 in anticipation of the November law change.
In response to road safety concerns, the DVSA said it was working with the trailer industry to develop a voluntary training scheme for drivers wanting to tow a trailer of any size for business or leisure.
If caught towing without a licence, drivers face nine penalty points, three for not having a licence and six for not having insurance and a fine upwards of £800.
