How to pass your B+E driving test
Intimidating but ultimately easy if you listen and learn, the trailer towing test will make you a better driver by far. Here are our top tips on how to pass the B+E driving test…
By the nature of them, tests are a little bit scary. It’s okay, you can admit it. Even the hardened and most experienced of us have that niggling worry that something will go wrong at the worst possible time while the assessor next to us sighs disapprovingly.
The great thing about the training you’ll receive before taking a B+E trailer test, is that it teaches you how to foresee the possibility of these potential pitfalls and react accordingly in good time, should they happen. Everything else is to do with common sense and patience. One thing’s for sure though, the training will make you a better and, more importantly, a safer driver.
Do your homework
You can get a great head start on the process before you even book your training and test. Brushing up on your Highway Code knowledge (speed limits, signs and road markings, etc) and under the bonnet basics (oil filler cap, washer fluid, coolant, etc) means that you’re likely to be a lot more confident come the start of your instruction.
The test itself comprises of coupling and uncoupling the outfit, identifying any potential areas of concern and undertaking safety checks, a reversing exercise, a drive on public roads, and a few questions to answer.
Sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? But try not to worry, we can’t stress this enough — your instructor will tell you everything you need to know.
Hitching and unhitching
The hitching and unhitching consists of doing just that: attaching and unlatching (or vice versa) the caravan from a car. The safety checks come before you hitch up. You must check the trailer as if it is unfamiliar to you. This means walking around it slowly and checking various points — the hitch head, breakaway cable, tyre tread, wheel bolts, lights, door security, and a few others. You don’t have to be as thorough as you might expect, just be aware of the key points to look for.
Reversing exercise
Once you’ve hitched up, the reversing exercise takes place on a constructed S bend. With the training provided, you will have performed this successfully plenty of times before the test. The key is to take it slowly and always look in both your mirrors. There will be plenty of space on the course; you’ve just got to ensure you stay in a defined area. If you’ve reversed a trailer on a caravan site or at a show, chances are this exercise will be easier!
The road test
The drive on public roads will take in a number of different environments that you’ll face in everyday life while caravanning. You’ll drive on dual carriageways, encountering big roundabouts; you’ll take to B roads and head into towns, and your instructor will ask you to pull up somewhere safe before continuing on your journey.
Again, it’s all about mirrors! Be very aware of your surroundings and read the road at every given opportunity. Watch ahead to see if anyone’s braking that will cause the cars in front of you to brake. When you do stop, ensure that you’ve left space between you and the car in front (I always remember this by thinking “Tyres and Tarmac”).
This is where knowledge of the Highway Code helps, even if you feel like you already know it. A quick brush up is likely to surprise you with what you may have forgotten, or what you may not have thought of in regards to towing as opposed to just driving with the car solo.
Q&A
The questions and answers bit is mostly common sense, but getting an idea of what’s in your engine bay will certainly help, even though you’ll be driving a different car on test. Again, you’ll be told how to answer these in training but, if you want a real heads up, you’ll find a link to the questions in our references box below.
All that remains now is to say good luck! Try your best to enjoy the experience, and stay relaxed.
Top tips for B+E success:
- Listen. Your instructor will only tell you what the invigilator is looking for. If they haven’t told you to do something, don’t do it.
- Be patient. Not just on the roads, but with yourself. If you forget something, don’t panic. Take a minute to compose yourself.
- Read the road. Always be thinking what could happen, even if you’re familiar with the route, that way you can react safely if it does.
- Learn your Highway Code. Yes, we all “know” it, but take some time to familiarise yourself with it. You will have forgotten some details.
- Ask questions. If you’re not sure about anything or just curious as to why something’s done in a certain way, ask! Your trainer is there to help.
Written by: Ben Hackney-Williams
