My point is , if you have to learn and then be tested on the rules that apply to driving a car , and if there are rules pertaining to towing a caravan that aren ’ t covered by a standard driving test , shouldn ’ t there be a separate test that people must pass before legally being allowed to tow ?
INCONSISTENT LICENSING REGIME
The licensing regime in Australia is … somewhat inconsistent . Around the country , we are permitted to drive a vehicle up to 4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass on a standard car licence . Above that , you ’ ll need first a Light Rigid licence , followed by a Medium Rigid or Heavy Rigid licence , depending on the weight of the vehicle .
That all seems fine , until you consider that the combined weight
of most 4WD tow vehicle and caravan combinations easily exceeds 4.5 tonnes . So while you ’ d need an upgraded licence to drive an A class motorhome or a particularly large C class unit , you can jump behind the wheel of a 4WD weighing 2700kg and tow a caravan weighing 3500kg . I ’ m not seeing the consistency .
Interestingly , the UK has a licensing regime for towing trailers . In the UK , if you received your driver ’ s licence before January 1 , 1997 , you could drive a vehicle and trailer with a combined weight of 8250kg maximum authorised mass ( MAM ). If you received your licence after that date , you are restricted to 3500kg MAM . To tow anything heavier , you ’ d need to pass a test .
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