Scope of driving licence B (passenger car)
A passenger car driving licence permits you to drive a passenger car, and also to tow a trailer with that car. However, maximum weight limits do apply.
Which driving licence is required often depends on the combined weight of the vehicles.
- Empty trailer weight
Weight of the trailer as delivered by the manufacturer (so this may include any spare wheels and tools that accompany the trailer, but not all extra accessories).
- Maximum authorised mass trailer
Maximum total weight of the trailer (including load). That is the weight of the trailer (unladen weight) plus the permissible load (payload). To determine whether you can legally tow a trailer, always check the maximum authorised mass (‘toegestane maximummassa’) rather than the unladen weight.
Trailers up to 750 kg
To tow a trailer with a maximum authorised mass of 750 kg or less with a passenger car, only a B driving licence is required, even if the maximum authorised mass of the car and trailer combined exceeds 3,500 kg.
Trailers heavier than 750 kg
Trailers with a maximum authorised mass above 750 kg may in some cases be towed with a passenger car with only a B driving licence. In this case, the maximum authorised mass of the combination must not exceed 3,500 kg.
Heavier vehicle combinations
If the maximum authorised mass of the combination does exceed 3,500 kg and the trailer weighs more than 750 kg, a B driving licence is no longer sufficient. To drive this combination, you must have an E driving licence (as well as a B licence). This licence permits you to tow trailers with a maximum authorised mass up to 3,500 kg with a passenger car.
Examples
Which driving licence is required usually depends on the combined weight of both vehicles.
In this combination, the maximum authorised mass of the caravan – less than 750 kg – is particularly important. This combination requires only a B driving licence. The maximum authorised mass of the passenger car is less important here, as long as it does not exceed 3,500 kg.
The combined maximum authorised masses is important in this combination. The trailer is heavier than 750 kg. The combination is lighter than 3,500 kg (namely 2,900 kg) and can therefore still be driven with driving licence B.
With this combination, the trailer is heavier than 750 kg. In addition, the combination together is heavier than 3,500 kg (namely 3,850 kg). Therefore, driving licence B is not enough in this case – you also need the trailer driving licence E for this combination.