Offaly gardaí advise drivers towing trailers or caravans to know the law
The advice follows a traffic stop in Mountrath
Gardaí in Laois and Offaly have issued advice to drivers who are towing trailers or caravans.
It follows a traffic stop in Mountrath where gardaí said a driver didn’t have a correct licence to tow a trailer.
“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,” they said.
“A category B driving licence is the licence you obtain when you pass your driving test. It’s the licence that the majority of people in this country hold and use to drive on a daily basis. It allows the holder to drive cars, suv’s, 4x4’s and vans which do not exceed 3500kg (three and a half tonnes),” Gardai explained.
They explained that the B licence permits the holder to tow a trailer.
“However, this applies to a trailer with a maximum weight not greater than 750kg, or where the maximum weight of the trailer is more than 750kg, the combined maximum weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer is not greater than 3500kg. The holder of a category B learner permit may not tow any trailer – whatever the size,” gardaí said.