Get training

If you’re reading this section you’re already savvy enough to realise that even though there is no longer a mandatory B+E test, it should be a personal mandate for all drivers who care about their risk of towing to themselves (and whatever they’re transporting), and the risk to other road users, to engage in a form of training to develop their skills, knowledge, competency and safety.

There are over 4,000 accidents a year involving trailers of one description or another. That’s an average of just under 11 per day, with the majority being preventable.

Safe towing involves a mix of many elements: the driver, tow vehicle, the trailer, the nature of the load itself, reason and context for journeys undertaken, road environment and conditions etc. Each of these elements contributes to how safe the towing experience and safety of the combination will be.

The Safe Towing Scheme is unique in offering drivers a holistic training programme, focused on the core risk elements identified above and delivered via an engaging blend of online learning (in the form of a short preparatory course and theory assessment, not pass or fail but designed to help you test and reflect on your knowledge) and practical on and off-road training with professional accredited training bodies.

As candidates seeking training will vary from those who have no experience of towing to those who want to build on existing experience, training can be tailored to individual needs and experience, your trainer will undertake a pre-training questionnaire with you before training commences to help them identify the best programme for you.