Do you have questions about our courses?
Below you’ll find the answers to the most common questions we get asked about our courses. If we haven’t answered your question, please contact us.
The licence entitlement that permits a driver to tow a caravan or trailer over 750 kg is called B+E. The ‘B’ is the standard car licence, and the ‘E’ relates to towing a trailer.
If you passed your test before 19 January 2013, the B+E entitlement allows you to tow any trailer behind a vehicle weighing up to 3,500kg (Maximum Authorised Mass), provided the weight of the trailer does not exceed the vehicle’s towing capacity. And just to confuse you further, if you passed your test before 1 January 1997, you were not required to take a test and were gifted the ‘E’ category. This is also known as Grandfather rights.
If you passed on or after 19 January 2013, then you can tow a trailer with a Maximum Authorised Mass of up to 3,500kg, so long as this does not exceed the capacity of the towing vehicle.
Since 16 December 2021, the requirement to take a towing test has been withdrawn, meaning you can tow a trailer with a MAM of 3500 kg, so long as this does not exceed the towing capacity of the vehicle. Even so, we would strongly recommend seeking instruction before towing a caravan or trailer for the first time!
Motorhomes fall into two categories, up to 3,500 kg Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and over 3,500 kg GVW.
Please note that if you hold an automatic driving licence, you can only drive automatic motorhomes.
If your motorhome is 3,500 kg GVW or under, you are allowed to drive the vehicle with a Category B (car) licence. There is an exception of 4,250 kg GVW for electric or hydrogen vehicles. For information on what can be towed with a motorhome in this weight category, please refer to the details provided above.
If your motorhome is over 3500 kg GVW, you will need to hold a category C1 licence.
If you passed your test before1 January 1997, you’re usually permitted to drive vehicles between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg. Again, under grandfather rights. You will also be able to tow a trailer, but you must not exceed 8,250 kg Train Weight (motorhome + trailer). If you need to exceed these weights, you will need to take a C1+E test to remove the weight restriction imposed under grandfather rights.
If you passed your test after 1 January 1997, you would need to pass a medical, complete a Theory and Hazard Perception test and undertake training to pass a 90-minute driving and manoeuvring test. If you wish to tow a trailer with a Category C1 vehicle you will need to complete an additional C1+E test too.
We have a training caravan that clients can use for the duration of their training free of charge. Your vehicle must be able to tow a caravan with an MTPLM of 1100 kg.
We do not have a tow car available for use by clients. You will need to provide a tow car with a tow bar and operational electrics for a 13-pin socket. We do have adapters available if your tow car is wired for 7-pin electrics.
We do not have a motorhome available for training. Most people already have a motorhome, or they hire one for a weekend and make us their first stop!
You most certainly can bring someone with you. Even if they do not wish to drive or may not hold a driving licence, there is still plenty to learn and get involved with throughout the day.
We are very dog friendly. The theory elements of the day are conducted near a playing field, and we can accommodate comfort breaks for your dog throughout the day. We do ask that the dog is restrained within the vehicle and is quiet when travelling. You are solely responsible for the animal during the session. Lost time cannot be made up from any interruptions.
If you are new to caravanning, then we recommend the 5-hr Introduction to Caravanning course. We will cover all the essential information and skills you will need to get towing your caravan. If you are already towing but need more guidance with reversing or any other specific element of caravanning, then we advise a 3 – hr manoeuvring course. Don’t worry if you’re still unsure. We will contact you before taking your booking to check you’re on the right course for you.
Our courses are held in Acton near Sudbury in Suffolk. We can travel up to 1 hr away from our training venue to visit you at your home or storage yard. There is an additional fee for this service.
Yes, we have access to Acton Village Hall where toilets including an accessible toilet is available.
We pride ourselves on being inclusive and where possible will tailor a training session to the needs of the individual. Please contact us to discuss further.
Our sessions are conducted outside and in all weathers. We advise clients to bring suitable outdoor clothing with them. If the instructor deems the inclement weather detrimental to your learning, they will contact you prior to the session.
If a session is postponed by the client, for whatever reason, a new session date must be booked by the client within 6 months of the original session date.
If a client cancels a session the following cancellation fees apply.
21+ days’ notice = full refund
8 - 21 days’ notice = ½ the original course fee
7 days or less notice = full course fee is payable
We do not require a deposit for any of our courses. We request full payment is made one calendar month before the course date.
Our preferred method of payment is BACS, but we do also accept PayPal. We do not accept credit or debit card payments or cheques.
After finishing the course, you’ll get a certificate of attendance by email. This certificate will entitle you to 10% off Shield Total Insurance products.
Our Introduction to Caravanning Course (5 hrs) for up to two people costs £250. The Caravan Manoeuvring Course (3 hrs) for one person costs (£150). Travel to your home address or storage yard is subject to additional fees.
We recommend that you bring your own towing mirrors. If you have yet to purchase a caravan, or not sure which mirrors would suit you best, we have a selection of towing mirrors that you can borrow.
We conduct a licence check to ensure that you have a valid photocard, are entitled to drive the category of vehicle you have booked a course for, and to see if you are required to wear glasses or have contact lenses for driving. We check your tow vehicle for a valid tax and MOT plus calculate if it can tow not only our caravan safely, but yours too!
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