Truckin' Around Europe with Your Class B Driver's License - Maximizing Your Tow Capacity Without the Stress of a Test
- 写作: Gernot Kramper
- 2 分钟
Upgrading to Class A License: Skipping the Test is Possible With Previous Licensed Class B Holders - Multiple Class B Licenses Obtained Without undergoing Necessary Driving Exams
Class B driver's license, the go-to for driving all passenger vehicles, isn't just about hitting the open road in your ride. Surprisingly, with this license, you can operate various other vehicles, from motorcycles to tractors, but there's a catch when it comes to trailers. Here's the lowdown on how to extend your Class B license's weight limits, ensuring your towing adventures remain unhampered.
In the Driver's Seat - Class B's Perks
Class B driver's license enables you to drive more than just your everyday car. Consider yourself ready to roll with light motorcycles, three-wheeled vehicles, quads, and even strange contraptions like large mowers, all within the weight limit of 3.5 tons.
The Hitchhiker's Dilemma
Yet, you may encounter a blip when dealing with trailers. A combination of vehicle and trailer shouldn't surpass 3,500 kilograms. In professions requiring trailers, like the skilled trades or agriculture, the constraint is a challenge. In your everyday life, too, trailers for caravans, horse trailers, or boat trailers often top the 3,500-kilogram limit. With a Class B license, you can tow vehicles with a permissible total weight (zGM) of up to 3,500 kilograms, but with a trailer with a permissible total weight (zGM) of only up to 750 kilograms.
The Sweet Spot - B96 to the Rescue
Enter B96, the unfamiliar yet valuable extension of your Class B driver's license. Many overlook this option, especially since they might associate B96 with a federal highway. However, it's designed to enhance the capabilities of your Class B, all without requiring a test. There's a theoretical and practical part, which can be completed in a single day, averaging between 300 to 500 euros. B96 is valid across Europe and allows you to tow heavier trailers than the standard 750-kilogram limit. Yet, the combination of the towing vehicle and trailer should not pass 4,250 kilograms.
For instance, with a vehicle like the Mercedes ML, the permissible weight is 2,800 kilograms. The remaining weight for the trailer is 1,450 kilograms. With a VW Tiguan with all-wheel drive, the permissible weight is 2,250 kilograms, providing room for a two-ton trailer. The last example: A Mitsubishi Pajero already weighs 3,030 kilograms. With Class B, only 750 kilograms remain for the trailer. But with the B96 extension, there's at least 1,220 kilograms left.
Bouncing Beyond B96 - Where to Go from Here
If you require more trucking power, you might consider the BE class. It demands a practical exam, which brings costs and the risk of failure. Additionally, you'll need at least five lessons. It's advised to practice driving with a trailer within the limits of class B before jumping into BE or B96 training. You can obtain a B license without having driven a single kilometer with a trailer. However, it's wise to have more practical experience for B96 or BE.
Source: ADAC 1, ADAC 2
- Driving License
- Trailer Towing
- Vehicle Weight Regulations
In order to manage heavier trailers greater than the standard 750 kilogram limit allowed with a Class B driver's license, consider obtaining the B96 extension, which allows for towing combinations up to 4,250 kilograms without requiring a test. Alternatively, for even more towing power, the BE class can be pursued, although it requires a practical exam, additional costs, and lessons.
