Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar Bhóithre

Road Safety Authority

Road safety advice

and driver licensing rules

for drawing light trailers

2 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules

for drawing light trailers

Disclaimer

The contents of this guide are expressed in general terms and are not intended to be

a detailed analysis of the law.

This guide does not, and is not intended to, provide legal advice or to represent

a legal interpretation of the law. While we have made every effort to ensure the

accuracy of the information in the guide, the Authority, its servants and agents

assume no responsibility for and give no guarantee about the accuracy, completeness

or up-to-date nature of the information and do not accept any liability for any errors

or omissions.

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Table of Contents

Foreword 4

Introduction 5

Glossary of terms

Section 1 – The law and driving licence entitlements

Section 2 – Roadworthiness

Section 3 – Coupling and uncoupling your trailer

Section 4 – Loading and unloading your trailer

Section 5 – Road safety tips for towing a trailer

Section 6 – Security – keeping your trailer safe

Section 7 – Preparing for your trailer driving test

Appendix A – List of frequently asked questions

4 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Foreword

To improve the safety of you, your vehicle’s occupants and other road users it is

essential to have a strong knowledge and understanding of the Rules Of The Road.

When driving you need to know them and understand their relevance, as well as

possible consequences of not following them.

By fully concentrating on the task of driving and always obeying the Rules Of The

Road, you are reducing the risk of danger to yourself and others and demonstrating

safe and socially responsible driving.

Whilst all of the rules apply to all road users and must be complied with, some

address speciﬁc rules about towing. You can ﬁnd advice and guidance about towing a

trailer in Section 5 of the Rules Of The Road.

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Introduction

We have produced this booklet to help you to:

n understand what combinations of towing vehicles and trailers you are

allowed to tow depending on the category of driving licence you hold.

n identify the towing capacity of your vehicle, and the load-carrying capacity

of your trailer.

We also give some information and advice about:

n the safety of towed combinations (car and trailer)

n coupling and uncoupling a trailer

n loading a trailer

n doing the practical BE driving test for towing trailers not covered by

category B driving licence.

If you comply with the guidance in this booklet, you can be conﬁdent your journey

will be safe.

6 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Glossary of Terms

Auto Reverse Functionality:

auto reverse functionality facilitates reversing manoeuvres being carried out by

automatically disengaging a trailer’s service brakes without the driver of the towing

vehicle having to leave his/her seat and do it manually.

Approved Driving Instructor (ADI):

a person who has been approved by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to provide driver

training to learner drivers, and who is ofﬁcially registered as an approved driving

instructor on the online register.

Braked trailer:

a trailer constructed with brakes ﬁtted. Trailers with a MAM (see page 8) greater

than 750kg or half the laden weight of the towing vehicle to which they are attached

require brakes. They must also be ﬁtted with a parking brake and a breakaway brake.

Older trailers that don’t have a breakaway brake must have a secondary coupling (a

chain or wire rope) ﬁtted instead.

Breakaway brake:

a breakaway brake ﬁtted to a trailer is a braking device that can automatically stop

the trailer if it becomes detached from the towing vehicle while moving.

Coupling device:

a device used to connect a trailer to a vehicle. Most cars, vans and 4 x 4s use a 50mm

ball-type coupling. See Figure 1 on page 7.

Design Gross Combination Weight (DGCW):

this is the weight of a vehicle and trailer including the maximum load each can carry

in accordance with the manufacturer’s design speciﬁcations.

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Design Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW):

this is the weight of a vehicle or trailer including the maximum load it can carry in

accordance with the manufacturer’s design speciﬁcations. It is also known as the

Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) (see page 8).

Drawing/Towing vehicle:

a vehicle used to tow a trailer; for example, a car, van or a 4 x 4 (a four-wheel

drive vehicle).

Jockey wheel:

a jockey wheel is a retractable height adjustable wheel ﬁtted to the front of trailers to

assist in the coupling and uncoupling process. See image below of jockey wheel.

Figure 2: Jockey wheel

jockey wheel

Figure 1: Image of 50 mm ball-type coupling.

handbrake

50mm ball type coupling

breakaway cable

8 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Laden weight:

the weight of vehicle or trailer when carrying a load, also known as the Gross Vehicle

Weight (GVW).

Light trailer:

(called simply ‘trailer’ in this booklet) is a trailer with a technically permissible

maximum laden mass (see deﬁnition below) of not more than 3,500kg. In other

words, the trailer and its load when fully laden must not weigh more than that

amount. This category of trailer includes anything from small domestic trailers

to general duty trailers including ﬂatbed or plant trailers, car transporters, trailer

caravans, horse boxes, livestock trailers, and so on.

Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM)

this is the weight of a vehicle or trailer including the maximum load it can carry in

accordance with the manufacturer’s design speciﬁcations. It is also known as Design

Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW).

Manufacturer’s statutory plate:

a plate ﬁtted to a vehicle by the manufacturer that shows the technical information

needed to identify the vehicle, and gives the information about the permissible

maximum laden masses. Examples of manufacturers’ plates ﬁtted to drawing vehicles

and trailers (along with explanations of the information they display) are shown in

Figures 3 and 4 below:

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Example of a manufacturer’s statutory

plate afﬁxed to a

Drawing Vehicle

Example of a manufacturer’s

statutory plate

Light Trailers

Figure 3 Figure 4

All ﬁgures shown below are in Kilogrammes (kg)

FORD – vehicle manufacturer

a11*2222/22*3333 – This is the vehicle’s

type approval number.

*XYXYXYXYXYXYXYXYXYXY11111* -

vehicle’s identiﬁcation number or VIN.

1900 –the technically permissible

maximum laden mass, also known as

Design Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW) or

Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM).

3100 –the technically permissible

maximum mass of the combination,

also known as Design Gross Combination

Weight (DGCW) or combined Maximum

Authorised Mass (MAM)

975 –the technically permissible

maximum mass of the front axle, also

known as Axle 1 Design Axle Weight

975 –the technically permissible

maximum mass of the rear axle, also

known as Axle 2 Design Axle Weight

a00*1111/22*3333 – the trailer’s type

approval number

AAAAA0000A00000 - the trailers vehicle’s

identiﬁcation number or (VIN)

2600kg –the technically permissible

maximum laden mass, also known as

Design Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW) or

Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM).

1-1400kg –the technically permissible

maximum mass of the front axle, also

known as Axle 1 Design Axle Weight

2-1400 –the technically permissible

maximum mass of the rear axle, also

known as Axle 2 Design Axle Weight

150 –the technically permissible

maximum mass at the coupling point,

that is, the maximum weight to be

transferred by the trailer to the towing

vehicle at the coupling point.

10 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Nose weight:

the weight exerted by the trailer drawbar on the coupling device of the towing vehicle

Secondary coupling:

an additional coupling to the main coupling. The secondary coupling is usually a

safety chain or wire rope or other similar connection which ensures that a trailer stays

attached to its towing vehicle if the main coupling fails or becomes detached.

The secondary coupling is designed to prevent the trailer’s drawbar from touching the

ground and provides some level of steering.

Speciﬁed towing capacity:

this is the maximum weight that a vehicle can tow in accordance with the

manufacturer’s design speciﬁcations.

Suitably qualiﬁed individual (SQI):

a mechanical or automotive engineer, an automotive assessor or a person with similar

qualiﬁcations who is competent, experienced and independent, and is, therefore,

an appropriate person to assess the ﬁtness and safety of a vehicle.

Technically permissible maximum laden mass:

this is the weight of a vehicle or trailer including the maximum load it can carry in

accordance with the manufacturer’s design speciﬁcations. It is also known as Design

Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW), or Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM).

Technically permissible maximum laden mass of the combination:

this is the weight of a vehicle and trailer including the maximum load each can carry

in accordance with the manufacturer’s design speciﬁcations. It is also known as

Design Gross Combination Weight (DGCW).

Technically permissible maximum mass at the coupling point:

the maximum weight that may be placed on the coupling point of the towing vehicle

by the trailer’s drawbar in accordance with the manufacturer’s design speciﬁcations.

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Technically permissible maximum mass on the axle:

is more commonly known as ‘Design Axle Weight’ and means the maximum weight

the axle can bear based on its construction and design.

Technically permissible maximum towable mass:

is more commonly known as ‘speciﬁed towing capacity’ and it is the maximum weight

that a vehicle can tow in accordance with the manufacturer’s design speciﬁcations.

Towing vehicle:

a vehicle/drawing vehicle that is being used to draw a trailer. A towing vehicle could

typically be a passenger car, a van or a 4 x 4.

Unbraked trailer:

a trailer constructed without brakes ﬁtted.

Unladen weight:

this refers to the weight of the drawing vehicle when not carrying a load, or the

weight of the trailer when not carrying a load.

Vehicle identiﬁcation number (VIN):

the alphanumeric (letter and number) code assigned to a vehicle or trailer by the

manufacturer to give it a unique identity. This code is usually displayed on both the

manufacturer’s statutory plate and in a separate location on the vehicle chassis.

Wheel chock:

or chocks are wedges of sturdy material – for example,

wood – placed closely against a vehicle’s wheels to

prevent movement.

National Driver License Service (NDLS):

this is the body responsible for issuing learner permits and driver licences on behalf of

the Road Safety Authority.

Figure 5

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers12

Section 1

The law and driving licence entitlements

Introduction

The driving licence category sets the type of vehicle a person may drive with that

licence, while the DGCW determines whether the particular vehicle and trailer

combination may be driven.

Whether you tow a trailer for work or for domestic reasons, it is important to know

your legal obligations and ensure you do not drive a vehicle or tow a trailer that your

driving licence may not cover. You also need to know the following:

n the towing capacity of your vehicle

n the load carrying capacity of your trailer

n the unladen weight of the trailer

You must ensure that you do not exceed these. To ﬁnd out the towing capacity of your

vehicle, consult your owner’s handbook or the manufacturer’s statutory plate afﬁxed

to the vehicle.

To ﬁnd out the load carrying capacity of your trailer, consult the manufacturer’s

statutory plate afﬁxed to it for its MAM. You then need to ﬁnd out its unladen weight.

If you are unsure what the unladen weight of your trailer is (as this information is not

always contained on the statutory plate), you should consult its manufacturer or their

authorised distributor. However, if they can’t give you this information, we recommend

you contact your Local Authority for a list of approved weighbridges in your area where

you can have your trailer weighed. Once you know its unladen weight, you can then

subtract this from the MAM listed on the manufacturer’s statutory plate to ﬁnd out the

maximum weight of the load you can carry.

If your trailer does not have a manufacturer’s statutory plate afﬁxed to it giving its

MAM and design axle weights (and the manufacturer or their authorised distributor

is unable to provide you with this information), you should get a suitably qualiﬁed

individual (SQI) to rate the trailer for you and afﬁx a plate to it. This will ensure that

you know your trailer’s design capabilities. Furthermore, having the plate on the

trailer will assist enforcement ofﬁcers conducting roadside checks.

Remember though, under no circumstances should you load a trailer to the extent

that it exceeds the manufacturer’s speciﬁed towing capacity for your towing vehicle.

The RSA has prepared a short video clip to provide you with a step by step guide

to trailer towing entitlements. The video is available from: www.youtube.com/

RSAIreland.

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Category B Learner Permit – Car, van or 4 x 4

A Category B learner permit entitles the holder to learn to drive a vehicle covered by a

category B licence. See details below. However, the permit does not entitle the holder

to tow a trailer of any description.

A learner driver must display ‘L’ plates at the front and rear of their vehicle and be

accompanied at all times by a fully qualiﬁed driver (not a novice driver).

Category B Driving Licence – Car, van or 4 x 4

A category B driving licence holder is authorised to drive a car, van or 4 x 4 which

has a MAM not more than 3500 kg and is constructed to carry no more than eight

passengers in addition to the driver.

Since 1st August 2014, anyone who gets their ﬁrst full driving licence must display ‘N’

plates at the front and rear of their vehicle for two years.

A vehicle which is authorised to be driven by the holder of a category B licence may

tow a trailer:

n where the MAM of the trailer is not greater than 750kg, or

n where the MAM of the trailer is more than 750kg but the combined MAM

of the towing vehicle and the trailer is not greater than 3500 kg.

Figure 6

Car, van and trailer

MAM exceeding 750kg

Large van or 4x4 and small trailer

DGCW: 3500kg. Max.

Max. 3500kg MAM

DGCW 4250KG

750kg DGVW

B Licence

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers14

As a general rule, a category B licence would not entitle the holder to tow a horsebox

or a livestock trailer because the DGCW would exceed 3500kg.

Take an example of a drawing vehicle with a MAM of 2010kg and a DGCW of 3680kg

- that is a towing capacity of 1670kg. A category B licence would be sufﬁcient to

drive this vehicle towing a trailer with a maximum plated MAM of 1490kg as, even

though the trailer’s MAM exceeds 750kg, the combined MAM of the vehicle and trailer

combination (2010kg + 1490kg) does not exceed 3500kg.

However, if you want to fully use this vehicle’s towing capacity of 1670kg

(operate at a DGCW of 3680kg) a BE licence is required.

Note: A person must hold a category B driving licence before being eligible to apply

for a category BE learner permit (explained below).

Category BE Learner Permit – Car, van or 4x4

You will need a category BE learner permit if you want to learn how to tow a larger

trailer with a MAM of up to 3500kg (for example, a general duty, livestock trailer

or a horsebox). Once you have your BE learner permit, the Road Safety Authority

recommends that you get tuition in towing a trailer from a qualiﬁed Approved Driving

Instructor (ADI).

Once you hold a BE learner permit, you are entitled to drive a car, van or 4 x 4 with a

MAM not exceeding 3500kg 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 heaviest trailer that can be towed with a BE learner

permit is one with a MAM not more than 3500kg. Therefore, the DGCW of the towing

vehicle and trailer must not exceed 7000kg.

BE learner permit holders learning to tow a trailer must be accompanied by a qualiﬁed

driver who holds a full BE, C1E, CE, D1E or DE licence for at least two years.

Category BE Driving Licence

– Car, Van and 4 x 4

If you hold a current full category

BE driving licence (previously an EB

licence), you can tow a trailer where

the combined MAM of the vehicle and

trailer combination is greater than

3500kg. However, the laden weight

of the trailer (that is, the weight of

the trailer and its load) must not

Figure 7

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

exceed the manufacturer’s speciﬁed towing capacity for the towing vehicle. The

heaviest trailer that a person can tow with a BE licence is one with a MAM not more

than 3500kg. Therefore, the combined MAM for a BE driving licence holder must

not exceed 7000kg – that is, 3500kg in respect of the towing vehicle and 3500kg in

respect of the trailer.

If your trailer has a MAM exceeding 3500kg, it is classiﬁed as a ‘heavy trailer’ and

must be licensed with the Local Authority in which it is ordinarily kept. It must also

undergo an annual roadworthiness test at the network of CVR Test Centres. In order

to tow a heavy trailer, you will need a category C1E, CE, DE or a D1E driving licence

depending on the type of vehicle used to draw the trailer.

Light trailers – that is, those with a MAM not exceeding 3500kg – are not required to

undergo a compulsory roadworthiness test.

Please note that for BE licence holders, it is permissible to tow a trailer designed to

carry more weight than the speciﬁed towing capacity of the drawing vehicle provided

the combined weight of the trailer and the load being carried does not exceed the

speciﬁed towing capacity of the drawing vehicle.

Take an example of a vehicle with a MAM of 2015kg and a towing capacity of 1800kg

drawing a trailer with a plated MAM of 3500kg. You need a category BE driving

licence to drive this vehicle combination as the trailer’s MAM exceeds 750kg, and the

combined MAM of the vehicle and trailer combination (2015kg + 3500kg) is greater

than 3500kg. Note, however, that the laden weight of the trailer cannot exceed the

towing capacity of the drawing vehicle – in this example, 1800kg.

Finally, if you need to tow another vehicle with your vehicle using a rope or strap –

for example, a broken down vehicle – you should only do so to the nearest convenient

safe place of repair, and the driver of the towing vehicle must be the holder of a BE

driving licence.

Max. 3500kg MAM

DGCW combination weight: 7000kg Max.

Large van or “4 x 4” and large trailer

Max. 3500kg MAM

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers16

What Driving licence do I need?

Example 1: A category ‘B’ licence

All ﬁgures below are expressed in kilogrammes – kg.

Manufacturer’s Statutory Plate

Afﬁxed to the Car

Manufacturer’s Statutory Plate

Afﬁxed to the Trailer

Figure 8 Figure 9

1900kg = the vehicle’s MAM

3100kg = the vehicle’s DGCW

975kg = Axle 1 Design Axle Weight

975kg = Axle 2 Design Axle Weight

Speciﬁed towing capacity = 1200kg

(3100kg minus 1900kg)

750kg = the trailer’s MAM

1-750kg = Axle 1 Design Axle Weight

75kg = the technically permissible

maximum mass at the coupling point.

That is, the maximum weight to be

transferred by the trailer to the towing

vehicle at the coupling point.

Q. What driving licence is required to drive this vehicle combination and why?

A. A category B licence is sufﬁcient to drive this vehicle and trailer combination

as the vehicle’s MAM does not exceed 3500kg and the trailer’s MAM does not

exceed 750kg.

Note that a trailer with a MAM exceeding 750kg could be drawn with this towing

vehicle by a category B licence holder provided the MAM of the vehicle and trailer

combination is not greater than 3100kg and that the manufacturer’s speciﬁed

towing capacity of 1200kg (3100kg minus 1900kg) is not exceeded.

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Example 2: BE Licence

Manufacturer’s Statutory Plate Afﬁxed

to the Jeep

Manufacturer’s Statutory Plate Afﬁxed

to the Trailer

Figure 10 Figure 11

2600kg = the vehicle’s MAM

5400kg = the vehicle’s DGCW

1290kg = Axle 1 Design Axle Weight

1800kg = Axle 2 Design Axle Weight

Speciﬁed towing capacity = 2800kg

(DGCW 5400kg minus MAM 2600kg)

3500kg = the trailer’s MAM

1750kg = Axle 1 Design Axle Weight

1750kg = Axle 2 Design Axle Weight

Q. What driving licence is required to drive this vehicle combination and why?

A. A category BE licence is required as the trailer’s MAM exceeds 750kg and

the combined MAM of the vehicle (2600kg) and trailer (3500kg) combination

exceeds 3500kg.

However, as the towing capacity of the 4x4 (2800kg) is less than the trailers

MAM (3500kg) the operator must ensure that the trailer, when laden, does not

exceed 2800kg.

Note however, that if the MAM of the trailer was 900kg (instead of 3500kg) a driver

with a B licence could draw the trailer since the combined MAM of trailer and

vehicle would then not be greater than 3,500kg.

18 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Section 2

Roadworthiness

If you’re towing a trailer, it is your responsibility as the driver to ensure that both the

towing vehicle and trailer are:

n safe and mechanically sound,

n ﬁt for purpose, and

n legally compliant with all relevant Road Trafﬁc legislation.

Remember, to be fully compliant, your towing vehicle must be taxed, insured

and have passed its roadworthiness test – that is, the NCT or Commercial Vehicle

Roadworthiness Test (CVRT) as appropriate.

Before attaching a trailer, bear in mind that the trailer you are about to tow may or

may not be your own, and it may have been parked or stored by someone else. In any

case, there are a number of things that you should do before towing the trailer away.

Firstly, you must ensure your vehicle is safe to drive before setting off on any journey.

After you’ve checked the drawing vehicle, carry out a walk-around check of the trailer.

Make sure you do the following checks:

n Check that all windows and mirrors are clean, properly adjusted and in

good condition so that you have a good view to the rear. If the mirrors are not

adequate, you should ﬁt ‘extension’ mirrors – these are towing mirrors to be

used when the trailer is wider than the towing vehicle.

Figure 12. Extension Mirrors also

known as Towing Mirrors

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

n Ensure that the tow bar or towing device is in good condition.

n Ensure the trailer hitch is intact.

n Test the safety clasp to ensure it can open and close freely.

n Ensure the breakaway brake is working properly, or that the safety chain is

correctly attached.

n Check that the lighting cable is not damaged.

n Ensure all lights and reﬂectors are the right colour, clean,

and working correctly.

n Make sure all wheels are in good condition and

that the wheel nuts are correctly tightened.

Check that all tyres are free from cuts, bulges and

have adequate tread – the legal requirement is a

minimum of 1.6mm. For further information on

tyres, please refer to the Road Safety Authority’s

‘Tyre Safety’ booklet.

n Check that the tyre pressure is correct.

All tyres (including the spare, if there is one)

should be at the same pressure. It is also

important that the tyre speciﬁcation is suitable

for the axle weight and is capable of bearing the

weight of the load you’re going to carry.

n Check that mudguards (if ﬁtted) are in a satisfactory condition and are

securely attached.

n Check that the correct number plate is ﬁtted – the registration displayed on

the trailer should be the same as the towing vehicle.

n Make sure the brakes (including the handbrake if one is ﬁtted) are

functioning correctly.

n Finally, make sure you display your ‘L’ plate if you are a learner driver

accompanied by a fully qualiﬁed driver or ‘N’ plate if you got your ﬁrst full

driving licence since 1st August 2014 at the front and rear of your vehicle and

trailer combination.

Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar Bhóithre

Road Safety Authority

Your Guide to

Tyre Safety

Figure 13

20 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Trailer brakes

All trailers with a MAM exceeding 750kg as speciﬁed by the manufacturer must have

brakes ﬁtted – that is, they must be equipped with a service brake, a handbrake

(parking brake) and a breakaway brake.

New trailers manufactured since 1 June 2011 must be braked on all wheels with auto

reverse functionality, and those with a MAM exceeding 1.5 tonnes must be ﬁtted with

a breakaway brake. A secondary coupling is sufﬁcient (instead of a breakaway brake)

for older trailers with a MAM exceeding 750kg, and also those manufactured since 1st

June 2011 provided the MAM does not exceed 1.5 tonnes.

Note that it is not appropriate to equip light trailers with both a secondary coupling

and a breakaway brake as the former will prevent the latter from moving if the trailer

separates from the towing vehicle. Furthermore, is it not appropriate to replace a

broken breakaway brake with a secondary coupling as Road Trafﬁc law places an

onus on vehicle owners/operators to maintain original braking systems (including a

breakaway brake where ﬁtted) in efﬁcient working order.

service brake

breakaway cable

handbrake

Figure 14. Shows brakes

Older trailers that don’t have a breakaway brake can have a secondary coupling

(a chain or wire rope) ﬁtted instead.

For more information on trailer roadworthiness, visit www.rsa.ie.

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Trailer lights

Trailers attached to vehicles that are used in public places

must be equipped with:

n functioning white side lamps,

n red rear lamps,

n red stop lamps,

n amber directional indicators,

n identiﬁcation mark lighting, and

n rear red reﬂectors.

Any cracked or broken lenses must be replaced. Always make sure that your trailer

lights have been connected, are clean, working properly and clearly visible.

Important note:

The driver of the towing vehicle has the responsibility for the safe operation

of the trailer.

The RSA has prepared a short video clip to provide you with a step by step guide

to roadworthiness of your trailer. The video is available to view at

www.youtube.com/RSAIreland

Figure 16

Figure 15.

22 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Section 3

Coupling and uncoupling your trailer

‘Coupling’ a trailer means connecting it to a towing vehicle. ‘Uncoupling’,

therefore, is the opposite – disconnecting the trailer from the towing vehicle.

There are a number of important factors to consider when coupling or uncoupling

a trailer. (The advice provided below may not be applicable to all trailers and will

depend upon the ﬁxtures and ﬁttings of each particular trailer).

These include:

n the safety of the driver and anyone else who is present or helping;

n the safe attachment of the trailer to the tow ball on the towing vehicle;

n connecting the lighting cable securely.

Before coupling a trailer, make sure you read the relevant sections of your vehicle and

trailer’s owners’ handbooks. Do not try coupling or uncoupling a trailer on your own

until you are fully familiar with all the steps and can complete them safely.

All drivers towing trailers are responsible for learning how to couple a trailer safely.

As with any manual handling task, proper training and instruction, along with

common sense and using proper techniques, will reduce the risk of personal injury.

For example, should you load the trailer before or after you hitch it to the drawing

vehicle? If possible, it makes sense to hitch an empty trailer to the drawing vehicle.

Figure 18. Coupling a trailer

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Coupling a trailer

First of all, make sure the area is safe and that the trailer appears secure and is parked

on level ground. Reverse slowly and safely in a straight line, keeping your vehicle in

line with the trailer using your mirrors for guidance.

Then:

n Reverse until you are close to the trailer hitch, leaving about half a metre

between the tow ball and the trailer hitch.

n Before stepping out of the vehicle, make sure it is completely stationary by

putting on the handbrake and turning the engine off. The vehicle can be left

in gear for extra security in case the handbrake fails.

n Check that the level of the tow ball ‘ride height’ on your vehicle is relatively

level with the trailer hitch. The ride height is the space from the ground to the

underside of the chassis or tow hitch.

n Check that the trailer’s parking brake is on and that the trailer is secure.

If there is no parking brake, then use wheel chocks or wedges.

n Now reverse the vehicle as close as possible to the trailer.

n Adjust the trailer height if necessary using the jockey wheel’s winding handle.

n Connect the secondary coupling or breakaway brake/cable. Make sure

that the breakaway brake/cable or secondary coupling is undamaged

and connected correctly to the coupling device of the drawing vehicle.

n Open up the safety coupling and gently release the trailer handbrake

and replace the wheel chocks if necessary.

n Move the trailer so that the trailer hitch is now

hovering over the tow ball (see ﬁgure 19).

n Next, rotate the winding handle so it starts to

lower onto the tow ball. Watch for the safety

hitch locking onto the tow ball.

n Now use the lock or padlock on the coupling

handle, ensuring it is in its ‘locked’ position.

n Then, turn the winding handle so that the

trailer starts to rise. If the combination

is properly coupled, then the back of the

drawing vehicle will start to rise as well.

Figure 19

24 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

n Next, keep turning the winding handle until the jockey wheel is fully raised

off the ground. The safety pin on the jockey wheel can now be opened to raise

the wheel into its highest unused position. Raise any corner steadies (such as

those often found on caravans) or prop stands are fully wound up and secure

in the ‘up’ position before moving off.

n Connect the lighting cable.

n Make sure that the jockey wheel locking mechanism securely holds the jockey

wheel well clear of the ground.

n Make sure the trailer handbrake is off and remove any

wheel chocks or wedges used.

A ﬁnal ‘walk around’ check should also be carried out to ensure that:

n all doors on the trailer are closed and the side boards are in a locked position,

n your registration plate is secured and matches that of the towing vehicle,

n your lights including indicators are intact, of the correct colour, are clean and

working properly.

The most important thing to remember is to never take any risks or skip any steps

when coupling a trailer. Safety checks are critical to ensure you travel safely when

you are towing a trailer and that the trailer is securely hitched. If in doubt,

seek expert help.

Figure 20: wheel chocks

Figure 17: pin lighting connector

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Uncoupling a trailer

To uncouple your trailer, choose level, solid ground in a safe place where your trailer

and vehicle will not cause any obstruction, inconvenience or danger to others.

n Stop the vehicle and trailer in a straight line. Apply its handbrake and then

switch off the ignition. The vehicle can be left in gear for extra security in case

the handbrake fails. Get out of the vehicle and put on the trailer’s handbrake.

If the trailer doesn’t have a handbrake, then use wheel chocks

or wedges.

n Disconnect the electric cable and put it away safely.

n Next, lower the jockey wheel to ground and lock into position.

n Open the lock or padlock on the coupling handle.

n Then open the safety clasp and lift the safety handle.

n Now use the jockey wheel-raising mechanism – this is normally a rotating

handle - to raise the trailer away from the tow ball, usually by about 50mm.

Then, disconnect the safety chain or breakaway cable and put it away safely.

n Double check to make sure everything is disconnected. For example, check the

safety chain and the electrics.

n Return to your vehicle, start up and move away slowly – about half a metre.

Stop your vehicle safely and use the handbrake to ensure it is secure. Do a

ﬁnal check that all is in order with the trailer.

n If appropriate, remove the number plate from the trailer.

The most important thing to remember is to never take any risks or skip any steps

when uncoupling a trailer. If in doubt, seek help.

For more information on both coupling and uncoupling a trailer, visit www.rsa.ie.

The RSA has prepared a short video clip to give you a step by step guide to loading or

unloading your trailer. The video is available at: www.youtube.com/RSAIreland

Remember!

Don’t assume that everything is OK – always check.

26 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Section 4

Loading and unloading your trailer

Loads must be safely distributed and securely tied down. You should avoid carrying

loads that extend over the side of the trailer while it’s being towed. Loads may project

over the side and rear of trailers provided the following limits are not exceeded:

n Loads (other than poles intended for use by telephone or electricity services)

must not project more than 3 metres beyond the rearmost part of a trailer.

n Loads overhanging to the rear by more than 1 metre must be marked during

the day with a red ﬂag or cloth which is at least 300 millimetres square (about

12 inches square). However, at night time, overhanging loads to the rear must

be ﬁtted with a red reﬂector and a red light.

n Loads (other than loose agricultural produce which is not baled or in crates)

must not project more than 300 millimetres over the outermost point of either

side of the trailer. The vehicle width, together with its load, must not exceed

2.9 metres. At night time, such loads must be ﬁtted with lights showing

a white light to the front and a red light to the rear. These lights must be

placed as close as possible to the outermost point of the load.

n If possible, loads should be evenly distributed across the trailer and positioned

in such a way as to keep the nose weight (that is, the weight exerted by

the trailer drawbar on the coupling) within the recommended limits for the

drawing vehicle. Consult the owner’s handbook for further details. If you have

to carry a load that cannot be evenly distributed, make certain it is properly

restrained and that individual axles or the drawbar are not overloaded.

You might have to reduce the overall load to achieve this.

The greatest risks associated with poor loading are as follows:

n In an emergency stop situation, the drawing vehicle might fail to stop if it

gets pushed on by an overloaded trailer.

n Loading either behind or in front of the centre of gravity can affect the steering

and the overall control of the combination. The trailer could ﬁshtail or sway if

loaded behind the centre of gravity; loading in front of the centre of gravity could

cause excessive nose weight and strain on the tow bar. With these situations,

steering is less effective and overall control is reduced or lost completely.

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

n The load is unstable because it is loaded too heavily on one side or the other.

n There is a serious loss of stability when loads are loose and move around.

n There is a danger of loads falling off the trailer.

n There is a danger of the load shooting forward when the vehicle combination

brakes. This is a particular risk if the load consists of planks, bars, and so on,

laid in line, front to back.

n There is a very signiﬁcant risk (with open trailers) of light items being lifted

out of a trailer by the slipstream. All items must be appropriately secured.

Therefore, when you’re loading a trailer you should:

n make sure the load is properly secured,

n distribute the weight of the load evenly,

n keep to the recommended nose weight.

Important note:

It is an offence to carry an insecure load.

Therefore, when your trailer is loaded, ask yourself the following:

n Is the load evenly distributed and securely tied down, that is, not too much

or too little weight distributed to the front or rear of the trailer.

n Should the trailer be equipped with brakes? Remember, if the trailer MAM

exceeds 750kg, it should be ﬁtted with brakes, including a parking brake.

Further information is available in the Load Security information sheet (available on

www.rsa.ie) which has been produced by the RSA together with the Health & Safety

Authority and An Garda Síochána.

The RSA has prepared a short video clip to give you a step-by-step guide to loading or

unloading your trailer. The video is available from: www.youtube.com/RSAIreland

28 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Section 5

Road Safety tips for towing a trailer

How your vehicle handles when you’re towing a trailer – either loaded or unloaded –

can be quite different to how your vehicle handles without a trailer. You need to

take special care and drive more defensively, anticipating the effect of the trailer.

For example, you need to ask yourself has your stopping distance increased –

in most cases, the answer will be yes.

Keep the following safety tips in mind when drawing a trailer:

n Anticipate hazards earlier than normal.

n Remember that if you are drawing a trailer, you are not entitled to drive in the

outside lane of a motorway, as the maximum legal speed limit for a vehicle

drawing a trailer is 80km/h. However, an exception to this rule applies if there

are places where the speed limit is 80km/h or less, or there is a temporary

obstruction, such as a road vehicle breakdown, forcing you into the

outer lane.

n Pay particular attention when you’re accelerating and braking, especially

when approaching bends.

n Apply your brakes earlier and lighter than normal (this is sometimes referred

to as ‘progressive’ braking).

n Make sure your driving action is smoother and more gentle than normal.

Avoid any unnecessary sudden braking or steering.

n Avoid braking sharply on a bend as this could possibly cause the trailer to jack-

knife. Instead, reduce your speed before the bend and select the appropriate

gear for the speed you are doing. Then, gently accelerate out of the bend.

n Leave more distance than usual between yourself and the vehicle in front.

Apply brakes early and gently. Allow plenty of extra time and space if you are

merging with moving trafﬁc.

n Allow extra time and distance if you are overtaking other road users, but

remember the upper speed limit of 80 km/h. Make sure you are well past the

other road users before moving back to the left-hand side of the road.

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

n Be careful when driving in wet, foggy or extremely bright conditions.

Be especially careful driving in high winds.

n If possible and if it is safe to do so, consider pulling over regularly to allow

vehicles behind you to overtake.

n Never let passengers travel in a trailer when you are drawing it (this includes

a caravan), as it is illegal to do so. All passengers must always travel in the

drawing vehicle, with their safety belts securely fastened.

n If possible, reverse vehicle and trailer combinations into parking spots

(with someone else acting as a guide). This allows you to drive straight out

of them and makes it easier to see pedestrians and other motorists who may

be approaching.

n Never reverse a trailer from a minor road on to a major road.

n Plan plenty of rest stops to avoid fatigue. Remember that the only cure

for fatigue or tiredness is sleep.

Remember…

The addition of a load on your trailer will affect your vehicle’s performance.

In particular, remember that:

n moving off, particularly on hills, can be much more difﬁcult;

n you will need to allow a greater distance to bring your drawing vehicle

and trailer to a stop;

n driving around sharp bends and corners, and driving down hills requires

extra care.

General driving safety tips

n Always carry a high visibility vest(s), warning triangle, torch (with working

batteries), ﬁre extinguisher, ﬁrst aid kit, spare wheel or puncture repair kit

in your vehicle in case of emergencies. Fire extinguishers should be securely

stowed in the boot of your vehicle.

n Have all relevant emergency helpline numbers handy, including those for

emergency services, breakdown assistance and your insurance company.

30 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

n ICE your phone – In case you are involved in a collision or need urgent

assistance, choose a responsible person to be your ‘In Case of Emergency’

(ICE) contact person and enter their telephone number with ‘ICE’ as the

contact name. If you choose to have more than one ICE contact, put a

number directly behind the word ICE in each one to prioritize them for the

emergency responders. For example: ICE1 – Tom, ICE2 – Dad, and so on.

Emergency responders are familiar with this system and if they need to

contact a close family member/next of kin they will examine your mobile

phone for ICE numbers.

Speed limits

The additional weight of the load on the trailer must also be considered when you

are deciding what speed is safest for your journey. Always drive at a speed that is

appropriate to your experience as well as the road and trafﬁc conditions. Be aware

that the maximum legal speed limit for a vehicle drawing a trailer on any road is 80

kilometres per hour unless a lower speed limit sign is posted. These speeds apply even

if the towing vehicle is a 4 by 4.

What if I break down on the road?

If you break down on your journey, park as near to the left as you can. If you cannot

do this, try to warn other drivers by, for example, switching on your hazard

warning lights.

n Be seen

Always carry a high visibility vest or jacket in your vehicle, and put it on at the ﬁrst

available opportunity. If possible, passengers should also wear hi-viz vests or jackets,

and they should leave the vehicle by the left-hand side to avoid exiting into oncoming

trafﬁc. Hi-viz jackets are available free of charge and can be ordered online from the

RSA on www.rsa.ie.

n Warn others

If your vehicle is equipped with a warning triangle, carefully place it on the roadway

to the rear of your vehicle, but always make sure you are safe. Do not attempt to place

the triangle if you happen to break down on a motorway.

n Phone for help

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Once you are parked, use your mobile phone to get help. State your exact location.

If you breakdown on a motorway, use the roadside phone to contact the emergency

services so that they can quickly determine your location. If you cannot use this

phone, use a mobile phone to call, but be prepared for the emergency services to

ask you about your location. Many motorways in Ireland now have location markers

sprayed on the hard shoulders in white paint. These help you to ﬁnd the nearest

emergency phone by showing you which direction to walk in. They also give you

information about your precise location.

n Find a safe place to wait

Be mindful of your own safety while you are waiting for help to arrive. Stay inside the

barrier and off the road on an embankment away from your vehicle. Do not wait in

the vehicle.

Remember, never try to do repairs yourself in circumstances which could be

dangerous to yourself and other road users.

32 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Section 6

Security – keeping your trailer safe

If possible, you should store your trailer on a property or in a building with security

features close to your house.

You should keep a record of the vehicle identiﬁcation number (VIN): the alphanumeric

(letter and number) code assigned to a vehicle or trailer by the manufacturer to give it

a unique identity. This code is usually displayed on both the manufacturer’s statutory

plate and in a separate location on the vehicle chassis.

You should also consider putting your own unique marking on your trailer to help you

identify it if it is stolen. This can be an effective deterrent.

You should:

n Photograph your trailer – if possible, you should be in the photo.

n Keep a record of the manufacturer’s make, model and vehicle identiﬁcation

number (VIN). This is best achieved by taking a digital image of the

manufacturer’s plate and saving it in a secure location. You may also wish to

take images of any unique features on your trailer.

Trailer insurance

Insurance rules and policies can vary when towing trailers. We strongly recommend

that you consult your motor insurance policy documentation or contact your

insurance provider to ﬁnd out if your policy covers towing trailers, and whether any

limitations are speciﬁed.

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Section 7

Preparing for your trailer driving test

If you do not hold a full category BE licence and you wish to tow trailers with a MAM

exceeding 750kg or vehicle combinations where the combined MAM of the vehicle

and trailer exceeds 3,500kg, you will need to pass a practical driving test. If you have

never passed a theory test, you will need to pass one before you can apply for your BE

learner permit.

Before you apply for a driving test, get plenty of training and practice with an RSA

Approved Driving Instructor (ADI).

Once you have your learner permit, you should visit www.rsa.ie to ﬁnd an ADI who

provides category BE training. Names and contact details are available from the

section called ‘Find an Instructor’.

Your ADI will assess your knowledge and skill and will develop a training plan to help

you to practise and to prepare for your practical driving test.

Ask your ADI to go through the following topics before taking any training:

n Driver licence requirements

n Roadworthiness of the trailer and drawing vehicle

n Coupling and uncoupling

n Load security

Your training plan should include practice, ﬁrst of all with an empty trailer, and then

a partially loaded one before you practise with an almost-fully or fully loaded trailer.

It is important for you to get a feeling for the effects of towing a trailer on the

handling of your drawing vehicle before you move on to towing a load.

Be guided by your ADI as to when you should apply for your practical driving test.

Bear in mind that you won’t have to wait six months for your test appointment

– it could quite possibly be scheduled for the week following your application.

Get plenty of practice – do not rush into taking a driving test you are not fully

prepared for. You can save a lot of time and money in the long run by ensuring

you are ready to take the test.

34 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Check that the vehicle and trailer you will be using for your test are ‘representative

of class’. For example, if you are taking a test for a BE driving licence, then the trailer

must have a total weight of at least 800kg. You will be required to load the trailer for

the test and details of this will be sent to you in your test appointment notiﬁcation.

Only then can it be considered a representative vehicle for the BE licence. The Driver

Tester can then assess your ability to tow a loaded trailer.

Like your ﬁrst driving test, the car and trailer test starts off with some questions on

the rules of the road, followed by some technical checks of the vehicle. Your ADI will

prepare you for all aspects of the test including the theory and technical aspects.

Before the practical side of the test begins, your Driver Tester will offer you a choice

of reversing into a roadway either to the left or to the right. However, during your

practice and preparation, you should prepare to be tested on both. The test will cover

about 10 km in distance and will include a question on coupling and uncoupling

your trailer.

When you are ready to apply for your test, you can do so by visiting www.rsa.ie and

applying online. Alternatively, you can get an application form at your local Garda

station, driving test centre or library. Your ADI may also carry some application forms.

Important note

Until you get a full BE licence you must always be accompanied by someone who

holds a full BE driving licence for towing trailers and who is experienced. You should

practise towing your trailer on different types of roads in different conditions,

including driving at night. Do not, though, practise on motorways.

After the test

Once you pass your practical driving test, you are eligible to hold a category BE driving

licence. You will need to exchange your pass certiﬁcate for your full licence at your

local NDLS centre. Once you do this, you are entitled to drive without the need to

have another full licence holder with you. However, be sure to check with your ADI

or Driver Tester to see if you are required to display ‘Novice’ or ‘N’ plates. Novice

plates were introduced on the 1 August 2014 as part of the Graduated Driver Licensing

system, and the N plate rules may apply to you.

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

If you do not pass your driving test, your Driver Tester will have given you feedback

that will help you to prepare for further practice sessions with your ADI. This feedback

will also help you to prepare for your next driving test.

The RSA has prepared a short video clip to give you a step by step guide to preparing

for and taking your trailer test. The video is available from: www.youtube.com/

RSAIreland

36 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Appendix A

Frequently asked questions

The following questions have been put together to assist you with any questions you

may have. If your question is not shown, please ask your approved driving instructor

or visit www.rsa.ie for more information.

Can I tow a trailer on a car licence?

If you have a category B driving licence to drive a car, van or 4 X 4, you can tow a

small trailer such as a grass box trailer. If you want to tow a larger trailer, you must

have category BE on your licence. See examples in this booklet. For information on

licence categories, visit www.rsa.ie

Apart from the category of licence, what else affects my right to tow a trailer?

Even though your driving licence entitles you to tow a trailer, the weight of the trailer

you can tow depends on your vehicle speciﬁcation. The owner’s manual will generally

set out a ‘towing capacity’ – sometimes called Towing Weights or Maximum Trailer

Weights – for the vehicle. Some small cars might not be allowed to tow any trailer,

while larger vehicles have restrictions set by their manufacturer on the size of trailer

that can be towed. In all such cases, the size of trailer you can tow will be the lesser

of that allowed by your driving licence or the towing capacity of your vehicle.

What trailers does my category B licence cover?

You can tow a trailer:

n with a MAM no greater than 750kg, or

n where the trailer’s MAM is more than 750kg but the combined MAM

(vehicle and trailer) does not exceed 3500kg.

As a general rule, your category B licence would not allow you to tow a horsebox or a

livestock trailer.

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

What trailers does my category BE licence cover?

You can tow a trailer:

n where the MAM of the vehicle and trailer combination is greater than 3500kg

but not greater than than 7000kg.

n where the MAM of the trailer is no greater than 3500kg. (However, note in the

previous question that, in certain cases, a category B licence will allow you to

tow a trailer over 750kg.)

How do I get a car, van, 4x4 and trailer licence?

n You must hold a current full driving licence in the category B (car).

n You must ﬁrst pass a driver theory test in the category BW – work vehicles and

land tractors – if you haven’t already passed this to obtain a category

B licence.

n Apply for a learner permit in category BE in an NDLS centre.

n After passing a driving test in the car or 4 x 4 and trailer, you can then apply

for the category BE to be added to your full driving licence.

What is the penalty for towing a trailer whose laden weight exceeds

the manufacturer’s speciﬁed towing capacity for the drawing vehicle?

The Road Trafﬁc (Construction, Equipment & Use of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963 (S.I.

No. 190 of 1963 as amended) prescribe that loads carried on vehicles and trailers must

not exceed a reasonable weight, having regard to the engine capacity, brakes, tyres

and general construction of the vehicle.

Furthermore, loads must be of such a weight and size and so distributed, packed,

adjusted and attached to the vehicle that, so far as can reasonably be foreseen,

no danger is likely to be caused and that there is no interference with the stability

of vehicle.

Loads must also be carried in such a manner that they are not liable to fall onto the

road, or to drag on the surface of the road, so as to cause damage to the road or to be

liable to cause danger.

If you don’t comply with these provisions, you could receive a court summons if

stopped by a Member of An Garda Síochána. If you’re convicted, you could be ﬁned

(up to €2,500), be given a prison sentence, or both. With the exception of where

38 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

it can be shown that the use of the vehicle is unauthorised, both the owner of the

vehicle and whoever is driving it when the offence is recorded can be ﬁned.

Finally, if detected using a vehicle and trailer combination whose axles or laden

weight exceed those speciﬁed by the vehicle or trailer manufacturer respectively you

are liable to receive 1 penalty point and a €200 ﬁne if paid within 28 days, rising

to €300 if paid within the subsequent 28 days, or 3 penalty points and a ﬁne not

exceeding €2,500 if convicted in Court.

Is there a weight limit for a vehicle?

The vehicle owner’s manual will generally set a limit on the total weight of the vehicle

and its load. This is known as the maximum authorised mass (MAM) and is also

sometimes known as Design Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW). It covers the weight of the

vehicle, passengers, fuel as well as any load carried on a roof-rack. The manual will

also give the unladen weight of the vehicle – that is the weight of the vehicle without

any passengers or load.

To know the load which can be carried on your trailer, subtract the unladen weight

from the MAM. If, for example, the MAM is 2,010kg and the unladen weight is

1,535kg, then the load which can be carried is 475kg.

How can I ﬁnd out more about towing capacity?

Consult the owner’s handbook for your vehicle. This will contain information on the

weight of the trailer that can be towed depending on whether or not it is ﬁtted with

brakes. If you are having difﬁculty locating the owner’s handbook, you can look at

the manufacturer’s statutory plate afﬁxed to the vehicle. These plates are usually

located near the driver’s door or in the engine compartment. The towing capacity can

be calculated by subtracting the Design Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW) or Maximum

Authorised Mass (MAM) from the Design Gross Combination Weight (DGCW).

Worked examples are completed in Section 1 of this booklet on pages 16 and 17.

Why is it important that you tow the correct trailer for your vehicle?

If the weight of your trailer exceeds the manufacturer’s speciﬁed towing capacity

for your vehicle, you are not safe on the road. You are putting yourself and other road

users at risk. For that reason, you should take time to understand what size trailer you

can safely tow with your vehicle. Furthermore, you need to check that you hold the

correct driving licence to tow it. Failure to comply with these requirements is

an offence.

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

How should the load on the trailer be positioned?

Loads should always be placed in a safe and secure position. If possible, loads should

be evenly distributed across the trailer and positioned in such a way as to keep the

nose weight (that is, the weight on the trailer drawbar on the towing bracket) within

the recommended limits for the towing vehicle. Consult your owner’s manual for

this ﬁgure.

Figure 21: Image of a correctly loaded trailer.

40 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Further Information

Where can I get further information?

If you need further information, please contact the RSA on 096 25000 from 8am to

6pm Monday to Friday.

Driver licensing queries should be directed by email to [email protected]

or by phone on 1890 41 61 41 or 096 25000.

Queries relating to braking and lighting requirements for trailers should be directed

to Vehicle Standards by email to VehicleS[email protected] or by phone on 096 25014

For further information on how to prepare for your category BE driving test,

please visit www.rsa.ie

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Notes

42 Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Notes

Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers

Notes

Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar Bhóithre

Road Safety Authority

Páirc Ghnó Ghleann na Muaidhe, Cnoc an tSabhaircín, Bóthar Bhaile Átha Cliath,

Béal an Átha, Co. Mhaigh Eo.

Moy Valley Business Park, Primrose Hill, Dublin Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo.

locall: 1890 50 60 80 tel: (096) 25 000 fax: (096) 25 252

email: [email protected] website: www.rsa.ie

Working to Save Lives

Version: September 2015