Caravan: when B96 is enough and when BE is required

B96 covers a category B combination with a trailer over 750 kg when the sum of authorised maximum masses exceeds 3,500 kg but does not exceed 4,250 kg. Above 4,250 kg, BE may be required, subject to its trailer limit. Check the car’s technical limits too.

Calculate the correct combination

To identify the licence needed for a caravan, read the authorised maximum mass of the car and trailer in their respective documents. If the trailer exceeds 750 kg, a B licence alone is limited to a combined authorised mass of 3,500 kg. If the sum is over 3,500 kg and up to 4,250 kg, the combination falls within B with code 96, provided all other requirements are met. Above 4,250 kg, BE may be needed. Do not substitute the caravan’s current empty weight for the authorised masses in the licence calculation.

Example: a car rated at 2,100 kg plus a caravan rated at 1,500 kg makes a 3,600 kg authorised combination, so the B96 threshold matters. If the caravan is rated at 2,000 kg instead, the total is 4,100 kg and remains within B96. A 4,400 kg combination exceeds B96 and calls for a BE check. These are calculation examples, not confirmation that a particular car can tow that trailer.

Check the car and trailer as well

The licence category does not replace technical limits. Check the car’s registration document for braked and unbraked towing capacity, maximum combination mass and towbar compatibility; check the caravan’s masses and load limits too. Do not exceed total mass, nose weight or tyre ratings. Weighing the vehicle can check actual load, which must stay within limits, but does not change the category determined by authorised maximum masses.

B96 requires a practical test, while BE requires holding category B and completing its prescribed test route. Before enrolling, take both registration documents to the driving school or licensing office and ask which category applies to your intended combination. Consider any codes or adaptations on your licence. Reviewing rules and mass definitions is useful, but does not replace manoeuvre lessons with a real combination: reversing, coupling and judging space require supervised practice.

Quiz Patente Ufficiale helps review rules and theory quizzes by chapter, with explanations, mistake review and statistics; manoeuvres require practical training.