To couple a trailer to your motorhome, it's essential to check that the chassis is suitable and that you have the appropriate driving licence. Make sure that the chassis is compatible with a hitch and that you have the necessary licence based on the total permissible laden weight (GVW) of the trailer and motorhome. Depending on these parameters, you may need a B, BE or HGV licence.
When it comes to coupling a trailer to your motorhome, you need to take two things into account: make sure your motorhome chassis is suitable for towing a trailer, and that you have the appropriate licence. The first involves knowing the technical specifications of your motorhome's chassis, so you can choose the right trailer. The second involves knowing the characteristics of the trailer you want to tow. Depending on the GVW of your trailer, you may need to hold a specific licence to tow it with your motorhome.
Permits required for light motorhomes
The type of licence you need to tow a trailer with a motorhome depends not only on the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of your trailer, but also on the GVWR of your motorhome. If the GVW of your motorhome exceeds a certain threshold, it will be considered a heavy goods vehicle, and you will therefore need a heavy goods vehicle licence to tow your trailer.
If the maximum permissible weight of your motorhome is less than 3.5 tonnes (t), it will be considered a light vehicle. This means that you only need a B licence to tow a trailer with a maximum permissible weight of 750 kg or less. A B licence is also sufficient to tow a trailer with a maximum permissible weight of more than 750 kg if the maximum permissible weight of your motorhome and the trailer it is towing does not exceed 3.5 tonnes. If this is the case, you will need to take a special 7-hour course at a driving school (the B96 course) to comply with the regulations.
If the GVWR of your trailer exceeds 750 kg, or if the GVWR of your motorhome with the trailer towed exceeds 4,250 kg, you will need a BE licence.
Licences for heavier motorhomes
If the GVWR of your motorhome exceeds 3.5 t, your B licence will not always be sufficient to tow a trailer, whatever its GVWR. To tow a trailer with a motorhome whose GVW exceeds 3.5 t, you need a C1 licence (the heavy goods vehicle licence).
A C1 licence is sufficient if the maximum permissible weight of your trailer is 750 kg or less. To tow a trailer weighing more than 750 kg with a heavy motorhome, you need a C1E licence. This licence allows you to tow trailers weighing more than 750 kg with a heavy goods vehicle, as long as the total GVW of the combination does not exceed 12 tonnes.
A number of conditions must be met to obtain a C1 licence:
- Already hold a B driving licence
- Carry out a compulsory medical check-up with an approved practitioner
- Be of legal age, unless you are taking a C1 licence as part of a vocational training course
If you obtained your B licence before 20 January 1975, you benefit from a special dispensation (the B79 dispensation) which allows you to drive a motorhome with a maximum permissible weight of over 3.5 tonnes with just a B licence. However, you will not be able to tow a trailer with a maximum permissible weight of more than 750 kg.
