Check two things before you run it
Having the right driving licence isn't enough if the car or trailer is overloaded. Gross weights determine the licence category; actual weights must also stay within the technical limits of the car and trailer. Transportstyrelsen's rules apply even when the load is a boat. Driving the trailer empty does not automatically make an otherwise impermissible licence combination permissible.
Gather the registration certificates for the car and trailer. Then do the calculation in the trailer weight tool and check the result against Transportstyrelsen's information.
B, B96 and BE – the main rules
| Licence category | Licence limit |
|---|---|
| B | Car max 3 500 kg gross weight and trailer max 750 kg gross weight. A heavier trailer is also allowed if the combined gross weight of car and trailer is max 3 500 kg. |
| B96, extended B | Combined gross weight of car and trailer max 4 250 kg. |
| BE, issued from 19 January 2013 | Car max 3 500 kg gross weight and trailer with gross weight max 3 500 kg. |
Source: Transportstyrelsen. Older BE licences may carry different entitlements. Check your licence's date and conditions, not just the letters. B96 does not allow the car to tow more than its technically permitted weight.
The weights you need to understand
- Gross vehicle weight: kerb weight plus maximum permitted load, as registered.
- Actual weight: what the vehicle actually weighs when driving.
- Maximum trailer weight: the highest actual weight of trailer including load that the car may tow.
- Maximum train weight: the highest combined actual weight of car and trailer.
Transportstyrelsen refers to O.1/O.2 in the car's registration certificate for trailer weight and F.3 for train weight. Also check the trailer's maximum load and the coupling's limits. All relevant limits must be met at the same time.
Example: your driving licence can limit you even with a light load
Assume a car gross weight of 2 200 kg and a trailer gross weight of 1 500 kg. The total is 3 700 kg, which exceeds the limit of a standard B licence for a trailer over 750 kg but falls within B96. This is a worked example based on the rules of Transportstyrelsen (the Swedish Transport Agency), not a ruling on any particular car. The car's permitted towing capacity and actual gross train weight must be checked separately.
Weigh the rig if the margins are small. In the boat catalogue you can find basic specs, but a published boat weight is no substitute for weighing.
Don't forget the gear that came with the boat
Include the engine if it isn't already part of the stated boat weight, plus fuel, batteries, anchor, equipment and loose gear. Accessories on the trailer also eat into the margin. Position and secure the boat according to the trailer and vehicle manufacturers' instructions; the winch strap is not a complete transport plan.
A haul-out trailer is not automatically a registered boat trailer. Check which vehicle you are actually using before planning road transport. For a heavy rig, professional transport or a lift at the boatyard may be a better option. Compare launching and hauling out with the total transport cost.
Frequently asked questions
Can I tow more with a BE licence than my car allows?
No. Your licence doesn't change the car's technical towing and gross train weight limits.
Does the boat's actual weight or the trailer's gross weight count for the driving licence?
Driving licence rules are based on registered gross weights. The actual weight also determines whether the car, trailer and combination are overloaded.
Can I trust the catalog's boat weight?
Use it as a starting point. Equipment, fuel, engine and later modifications can make the towing weight higher. Weigh the boat when the margin is small.
Sources
- Transportstyrelsen – personbil med släp transportstyrelsen.se
- Transportstyrelsen – BE personbil med tungt släp transportstyrelsen.se