Towing on a B versus BE driver’s licence

B

A CATEGORY B driving licence holder can drive a car, van or 4 x 4 which has a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of not more than 3,500kg and is constructed to carry no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver.

A vehicle which can be driven by the holder of a category B licence may tow a trailer:

  • Where the MAM of the trailer is no more than 750kg.
  • Where the MAM of the trailer is more than 750kg but the combined MAM of the towing vehicle and the trailer is no more than 3,500kg.

    • As a general rule, a category B licence would not entitle the holder to tow a horsebox or a livestock trailer because the Design Gross Combination Weight (DGCW) would be more than 3,500kg.

    BE

    A person must hold a category B driving licence before being eligible to apply for a category BE learner permit.

    A category BE driving licence holder can drive a car, van or 4 x 4 with a MAM of no more than 3,500kg and you can draw a trailer, provided the laden weight of the trailer being towed does not exceed the manufacturer’s specified towing capacity for your towing vehicle.

    The towing capacity of your vehicle is usually located at the inside of the driver or passenger door on a small plate. Alternatively, you can check the towing capacity of your vehicle in the owner’s manual.

    The heaviest trailer that can be towed with a BE driving licence is one with a MAM not more than 3,500kg.

    Therefore, the DGCW of the towing vehicle and trailer must not be more than 7,000kg – that is, 3,500kg in respect of the towing vehicle and 3,500kg in respect of the trailer.

    For more information go to www.rsa.ie.