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B+E test
phelpsa - 18/12/11 at 09:34 PM

I will be doing my B+E in the new year in our auto Discovery 2.

Looking at the DVLA website on the matter:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensi...

under 'Rules for the car you use for your test' it refers us to the 'Rules for cars used for driving tests', which states:

'Using a manual or automatic vehicle
You can take your driving test in either a manual or automatic vehicle. However, if you pass your test in an automatic you'll only get a licence to drive an automatic.
For driving test purposes:
manual vehicles have three pedals – accelerator, brake and clutch
automatic vehicles have two pedals'

Is that the case for the B+E? Does it mean that I will only be able to tow with an automatic vehicle or are the DVLA a bunch of muppets?

liam.mccaffrey - 18/12/11 at 09:38 PM

Muppets, my wife has CBT on her licence despite never having riden a bike of any kind

morcus - 18/12/11 at 09:39 PM

I'd guess it does probably mean you'd only be able to tow using an auto because you wouldn't have shown you can work the clutch and select the right gears.

You won't get a decent answer without contacting the DVLA or a driving school, the latter probably being your best option.

kevmcdo - 18/12/11 at 09:40 PM

Only with an auto I am afraid.
That's why most any training centre you goto use manual cars.

phelpsa - 18/12/11 at 09:42 PM

Just to point out that I do already hold a full UK Manual license.

Will have to track down a manual tow car then it would appear. Annoying!

mookaloid - 18/12/11 at 09:42 PM

Call your test centre and ask

phelpsa - 18/12/11 at 09:44 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mookaloid
Call your test centre and ask


Good call sir. It was my plan anyway just wanted to see if anyone had a definitive answer first.

computid - 18/12/11 at 09:47 PM

quote:
Originally posted by liam.mccaffrey
Muppets, my wife has CBT on her licence despite never having riden a bike of any kind


A CBT doesn't get recorded on your licence though. You can have the provisional categories but they're not valid without taking a CBT which comes in the form of a certificate and (as far as im aware) doesn't ever get marked on your photo card or counter part.

StevieB - 18/12/11 at 09:54 PM

quote:
Originally posted by computid
quote:
Originally posted by liam.mccaffrey
Muppets, my wife has CBT on her licence despite never having riden a bike of any kind


A CBT doesn't get recorded on your licence though. You can have the provisional categories but they're not valid without taking a CBT which comes in the form of a certificate and (as far as im aware) doesn't ever get marked on your photo card or counter part.


That's right, it's just another piece of paper to carry around.

And it's not even a test, just a certificate to say you've attended the appropriate training.

Stott - 18/12/11 at 10:15 PM

Can I just ask for what reason are you taking the test?

If it's to tow a locost about on a trailer then you should be able to do that on a STD cat B.

Peteff - 18/12/11 at 10:21 PM

A CBT is a certificate of compulsory basic training which is a stand alone qualification and expires after 2 years. On older licenses there was a section which qualified you to ride a moped without L plates under category P and also acts as a provisional for motorcycle but you still need the CBT. My wife has it although she has never ridden a motorised 2 wheel vehicle in her life.

Simon - 18/12/11 at 10:26 PM

quote:
Originally posted by StevieB
And it's not even a test, just a certificate to say you've attended the appropriate training.


Well, it is a test, because you can fail it if your riding ain't up to scratch

ATB

Simon

owelly - 18/12/11 at 10:28 PM

You can't fail the CBT. You just don't get the certificate unless you're up to scratch!

phelpsa - 18/12/11 at 10:42 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Stott
Can I just ask for what reason are you taking the test?

If it's to tow a locost about on a trailer then you should be able to do that on a STD cat B.


Not a 1600kg MAM enclosed trailer behind a 3.5tonne motorhome

DRC INDY 7 - 18/12/11 at 11:26 PM

Im one of the lucky old ones because i have on my licence B,BE,C1,C1E,D1,D1E, fklnp all up to 2042

owelly - 18/12/11 at 11:45 PM

I have 'the full set' but my photo license expires next year! They need renewing every ten years!

MakeEverything - 18/12/11 at 11:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Simon
quote:
Originally posted by StevieB
And it's not even a test, just a certificate to say you've attended the appropriate training.


Well, it is a test, because you can fail it if your riding ain't up to scratch

ATB

Simon



Training being a loose term...

Stott - 18/12/11 at 11:58 PM

quote:
Originally posted by phelpsa
quote:
Originally posted by Stott
Can I just ask for what reason are you taking the test?

If it's to tow a locost about on a trailer then you should be able to do that on a STD cat B.


Not a 1600kg MAM enclosed trailer behind a 3.5tonne motorhome



Point taken, so you're one of the posh buggers who turns up with their wheels on a rack above the car and gas rams to lift your trailer lid! Lol

stevebubs - 19/12/11 at 01:34 AM

Am I the only one that read "Breaking and Entering" into B&E and got concerned?

coozer - 19/12/11 at 03:38 AM

If you take the test in an automatic you'll end up like this

B
BE (automatics only)

And, dont forget its a full on driving test, after you've done the manoeuvres in the yard your out on the road for a driving test.

Its exactly the same as an artic test at the heavy goods centre with the VOSA testers.

mad-butcher - 19/12/11 at 07:51 AM

Thank fcuk I got mine under the old system then.

luke - 19/12/11 at 08:37 AM

I did my test back in april and got given the choice of using one of their cars or my own. went for my own and got 30 quid knocked off the price.

The test is quite gruelling. its an hout and half driving including a hitch unhitch, reverse and hill start. youre still only allowed 16 minors like in the standard test.

Are you having any lessons? I had two half days and was very beneficial. its amazing how many bad habbits you pick up in 5 years of driving!

phelpsa - 19/12/11 at 10:07 AM

quote:
Originally posted by luke
I did my test back in april and got given the choice of using one of their cars or my own. went for my own and got 30 quid knocked off the price.

The test is quite gruelling. its an hout and half driving including a hitch unhitch, reverse and hill start. youre still only allowed 16 minors like in the standard test.

Are you having any lessons? I had two half days and was very beneficial. its amazing how many bad habbits you pick up in 5 years of driving!


Very useful info! Will contact the test centre and see if they have a vehicle to use. I was planning on practising with my dad then getting a local driving instructor to sit in for a couple of hours to assess my general test driving (bloody mirrors!)

Simon - 19/12/11 at 05:02 PM

quote:
Originally posted by owelly
You can't fail the CBT. You just don't get the certificate unless you're up to scratch!


Well, as an ex m/c instructor who used to take people (for about 8 years) for their CBT training and issue certificates or not, if their riding - because part of the cbt was an on road assessment - wasn't up to scratch, they wouldn't get a ticket. Bit like a driving test, or can't you not fail that either

ATB

Simon

Ninehigh - 20/12/11 at 06:53 AM

quote:
Originally posted by owelly
You can't fail the CBT. You just don't get the certificate unless you're up to scratch!


Isn't that what fail means?

cliftyhanger - 20/12/11 at 08:24 AM

Of course not. Like so many "tests" these days it is a deferred pass. You will just have to try again later.....