New figures released to the Irish Farmers Journal by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) show that the average pass rate for the much talked-about BE trailer driving licence test increased to almost 85% in 2014. The figures show that the average success rate has increased from 83% to 85% since 2012, with significant pass rate differences between county driving test centres.

There has also been a significant increase in the numbers of people taking the BE driving test, which allows them to tow a large trailer behind their car or 4x4. The figures show that the numbers taking the test have almost doubled between 2012 and 2014 to 1,902.

There are indications that this number will increase even further in 2015 as Gardaí are taking a more active role in policing the issue of trailer use. There have been reports of Garda checks outside marts across the midlands and west which have prompted drivers to check their licence details, many of which did not include the licence to tow larger cattle trailers.

The RSA driving licence test result figures show that Monaghan has consistently had the highest pass rate of 100% over the past three years. Roscommon joined Monaghan with a 100% result, up from 89% the previous year.

Kilkenny had the lowest BE driving licence test success rate, with just 44% of the 63 people who took the test getting a positive result. Kildare was next lowest and like Kilkenny has recorded low success rates over the past three years.

During 2014, Cork had the highest number of BE driving tests delivered and out of the 265 people who took the test, almost 82% successfully passed.

The reason for the additional trailer BE driving licence test is that those drivers towing trailers over 750kg have required an additional test to their standard B driver’s licence test, under EU regulations, since 1989. The RSA says that as a general rule, a category B licence would not entitle the holder to tow a horsebox or a livestock trailer because the design gross combination weight (DGCW) of the car and trailer would exceed 3,500kg.

The BE driver’s licence allows drivers to tow a fully loaded trailer weighing up to 3,500kg, provided the laden weight of the trailer being towed does not exceed the manufacturer’s specified towing capacity for your towing vehicle. Some of the larger 4x4s are the only vehicles that are suitably rated for this maximum 3,500kg towing figure.

RSA has confirmed that these light-type trailers, those with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) not exceeding 3,500kg, are not required to undergo a compulsory roadworthiness test.

BE licence issues for older drivers

Prior to 1989, a person who held a C category driving licence was entitled by default to tow a trailer. When the new regulations were introduced in 1989, B and EB licence categories were established, with B being the licence to drive a car and EB to tow a trailer.

At that time, a car driver with a C licence category could retain the entitlement to tow trailers by having the EB category added to their licence at the next renewal date, by simply ticking a box.

Some farmers unwittingly did not tick the appropriate boxes at that renewal time and lost their trailer towing entitlement. RSA has agreed that the licence category to tow trailers will be added to the driver’s licences of those drivers who can provide proof that they held that entitlement before 1989, without the need to undergo a test.