Trailer Tests: The B+E Test – A low-down!!

Author: Jenni Winter

I’m writing this because I took my trailer test for the first time today and I thought I would share my experience with you. When I was looking for information about the test and what to expect there is very little out there!! So, this is deigned to give people an idea of what is expected and obviously not to be used in the place of at least a couple of hours instruction under a qualified HGV instructor. The finer details of how to pass will be taught to you by a good instructor, this is simply a low-down on the process of the test.

I actually failed my test because I messed up the reverse (very annoying as I could do it in practice!), so the rest of it was fine!! If I had been able to see what was expected of the reverse then all the time I spent practising reversing could have been spent doing the actual manoeuvre. So I hope this helps people in future.

I had been driving a trailer with my automatic to get used to towing and then had to switch to a manual for the test. You cannot tow with a manual if you pass in an auto. Just thought I would clear this up because it took me 3 phone calls to get this definite answer (even the DSA got it wrong the first time I asked!!).

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