Preparing your caravan for the Easter holidays? You might just want to check your driver’s licence before leaving as some motorists do not have towing privileges.
Preparing your caravan for the Easter holidays? You might just want to check your driver’s licence before leaving as some motorists do not have towing privileges.
The Department of Transport says that motorists no longer automatically qualified to tow when they pass their driver’s licence. “In March 1998, when we brought in the credit-card licence system, we changed legislation so that new motorists will have to do a separate driving test to tow a trailer of more than 750 kg,” Thabo Tsholetsane, the department’s manager of land transport legislation, told CARtoday.com.
Motorists need to check their licences; those who have an EB code have towing rights, but those with only a B code do not.
However, motorists who qualified for their licence before 1998 will continue to have towing privileges. This will not change even when their licences are up for renewal.
“We decided to change the rule for safety reasons and to be in line with international regulations. We felt it would be safer for people to learn how to tow a caravan or anything bigger than a 750 kg trailer. They will have to complete the licence test with a trailer or caravan to ensure they know how to do it and know the rules concerning towing,” Tsholetsane said.
“We did not take away other motorists’ right to tow as we felt they were experienced enough to handle it, but were concerned about new or young drivers,” he said.
Grant Groen, marketing and sales manager at Jurgens, said the caravan industry supported the legislation change. “It’s a safety drive and a positive thing. This means if someone wants to tow a caravan they have to have training and know what to do. They will also be able to judge whether a car is big enough to tow a vehicle,” Groen said.
