If you are planning to drive a motor caravan or a vehicle-caravan combination in Europe, you may wonder what kind of driving licence you need. The answer depends on the maximum authorised mass (MAM) of the vehicle and the trailer, as well as the country you are driving in. In this blog post, we will explain the main rules and regulations for driving a motor caravan with a class B driving licence.
What is a class B driving licence?
A class B driving licence is the standard licence for passenger cars, which allows you to drive vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM with up to 8 passenger seats. You can also tow a trailer that weighs up to 3.5 tonnes MAM, as long as the total MAM of the vehicle and trailer does not exceed 3.5 tonnes. For example, if your car has a MAM of 2 tonnes and your trailer has a MAM of 1.5 tonnes, you can drive them with a class B licence.
What is a motor caravan?
A motor caravan is a vehicle that is designed and equipped for living and travelling in. It usually has a living area with seats, beds, kitchen, bathroom and storage space. Motor caravans are also known as campervans, motorhomes or RVs. The MAM of a motor caravan is the weight of the vehicle plus the maximum load it can carry, including passengers, luggage, water, gas and accessories.
Can I drive a motor caravan with a class B licence?
The answer depends on the MAM of the motor caravan and the country you are driving in. In general, you can drive a motor caravan with a class B licence if its MAM does not exceed 3.5 tonnes. However, some countries may have different or additional requirements for driving motor caravans, such as age limits, speed limits, tolls or environmental zones. Therefore, it is advisable to check the specific rules and regulations of each country before you travel.
Can I tow a caravan with a class B licence?
A caravan is a trailer that is designed and equipped for living and travelling in. It usually has a living area with seats, beds, kitchen, bathroom and storage space. Caravans are also known as travel trailers or caravans. The MAM of a caravan is the weight of the trailer plus the maximum load it can carry, including passengers, luggage, water, gas and accessories.
You can tow a caravan with a class B licence if its MAM does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and the total MAM of the vehicle and trailer does not exceed 3.5 tonnes. For example, if your car has a MAM of 2 tonnes and your caravan has a MAM of 1.5 tonnes, you can tow them with a class B licence.
However, if your vehicle or trailer has a higher MAM than 3.5 tonnes, or if their combined MAM exceeds 3.5 tonnes, you may need an additional driving licence category to tow them legally. For example, if your car has a MAM of 2.5 tonnes and your caravan has a MAM of 2 tonnes, their combined MAM is 4.5 tonnes, which exceeds the limit for class B licence holders. In this case, you may need a category B96 or C1 licence to tow them.
What are category B96 and C1 licences?
Category B96 and C1 licences are additional driving licence categories that allow you to drive heavier vehicles or trailers than class B licence holders.
Category B96 allows you to drive vehicle-trailer combinations with a total MAM of up to 4.25 tonnes. You do not need to take an additional theory test or practical exam to obtain this category, but you need to complete at least 7 hours of training at an approved driving school.
Category C1 allows you to drive vehicles with a MAM of between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, with or without a trailer up to 750 kg MAM. You need to take an additional theory test and practical exam to obtain this category.
To summarise:
- You can drive a motor caravan with a class B licence if its MAM does not exceed 3.5 tonnes.
- You can tow a caravan with a class B licence if its MAM does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and the total MAM of the vehicle and trailer does not exceed 3.5 tonnes.
- You may need a category B96 or C1 licence to drive heavier vehicles or trailers than class B licence holders.
- You should check the specific rules and regulations of each country before you travel.
We hope this blog post has been informative and helpful for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Happy travelling!