AQW 14067/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 02/07/2024
Answered On Date: 19/07/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on plans to allow drivers, who passed their driving test from 1 January 1997, to tow a trailer with a maximum weight of 3,500kg without undergoing a separate test, similar to the rest of the United Kingdom.

Answer:

Legislation introduced in Britain on 16 December 2021 removed testing requirements for towing a trailer (BE entitlement), meaning that all drivers who passed a category B (car) driving test from 1 January 1997 are now entitled to tow trailers up to 3,500kg Maximum Authorized Mass (MAM). This change was made in an effort to address the HGV driver shortage situation in England, Scotland and Wales by freeing up testing space.

At that time testing was not seen as a significant reason for HGV driver shortages here. This position has not changed.

In EU Member States BE testing is still a requirement, as it is here. Road safety continues to be of paramount importance and therefore I have no plans to introduce similar changes.