What vehicles can I drive with a Code B and EB license?

If you're wondering whether you're licensed to tow that caravan or drive that large vehicle to your next holiday destination, we have listed the legislation when it comes to what you can and cannot drive with your current license.

Taking to the roads this holiday season? Knowing the limitations of your driver's licence is key. In this article, we examine what you are legally allowed to drive and/or tow if you hold an EB or B licence. (Read our top tips for safely towing a trailer or caravan too.)

Dreaming of camping with a caravan in the Kalahari or the snow? Here's how much you'll be able to tow!

What can you tow with a Code B and EB licence?

If you have a Code B licence, you can:

• Operate vehicles (except motorcycles) with an unladen weight of 3 500 kilograms or less and minibuses, buses, and goods vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3 500 kg or less. A trailer with a GVM (gross vehicle mass) of 750 kg or less may be attached.
• An example of a vehicle that fits the requirements of a Code B license in South Africa is a Ford Wildtrak X, which has an unladen weight of less than 3,500 kilograms. For the trailer, a Jurgens Fleetline, which has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 750 kilograms or less, would be a suitable example. This combination would adhere to the regulations for a Code B licence, allowing the vehicle to tow the specified trailer.

Related: Can you tow a caravan with a an electric car?

With a Code EB licence, you can:

• Operate articulated vehicleswith a gross combination mass (GCM—that's the maximum weight including the vehicle, load, and passengers) of up to 3500 kg; and vehicles allowed by Code B, but with a trailer with a gross vehicle mass greater than 750 kg.
• An example of a vehicle and caravan that fits these requirements could be a Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 Double Cab Legend RS with a tare weight of 1994 kg (and a towing capacity of 3500 kg) towing a Jurgens XT140 off-road trailer with a GVM of 1400 kg. The combined GVM of the vehicle and trailer is 2791 kg, which is below the 3500 kg towing limit for a Code EB licence.
  

However, should the trailer be equipped with its own braking system and fall into the category of 751 kg to 3 500 kg GVM, then the Tare of the drawing vehicle must be more than or equal to the GVM of the trailer! If you have brakes fitted to the trailer you can tow up to your vehicle’s GVM providing that you do not exceed the 3500 kg trailer GVM. If you are going to tow a trailer that exceeds 3500 kg GVM, the trailer must have a service brake in addition to over-run brakes.

In addition to this there are other parameters that define what your car may or may not tow. The GCM or Gross Combined Mass has to be displayed on a vehicle’s identification plate. To determine what the vehicle may tow you have to subtract the GVM from the GCM, i.e. GCM less the GVM = 2925 kg -1725 kg = 1200 kg. - Caravan SA, taken from Towing, the Law, and You, a must-read if you plan on towing!

• If you have an EB licence, you're authorised to drive all vehicles listed under B.

What is the difference between EB, EC1, and EC licences?

All licence codes starting with E will allow you to tow a caravan or trailer with a GCM exceeding 750 kg.

However, what the different licences limit is the *tare weight of your tow vehicle:

• With an EB licence, your tow vehicle must have a tare weight of less than 3,500 kg.
• With an EC1 licence, your tow vehicle must have a tare weight less than 16 000 kg.
• With an EC licence, your tow vehicle may have a GVM over 16,000 kg.

What licence do I need to tow a trailer or caravan?

If the caravan or trailer you are towing has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of less than 750 kg, you are allowed to tow it with any licence except A or A1. (These are for a motorcycle.) Wondering what the speed limit is when towing a caravan? Find out here.

Looking for a car that can tow, but need to sell your current vehicle? AutoTrader can get you an Instant Offer!

Related: Is the Ford Ranger good for towing?

*Tare weight: This is also known as 'dry weight'. The tare weight of your vehicle trailer or caravan is the mass of the vehicle when completely empty of passengers, luggage, and fuel.

Source: Caravan SA

For more in-depth information, please click here.

Ané Albertse Ané was bitten by the motoring bug at a very young age. Her mom recalls her sitting in her stroller as a 3-year old, naming every car that came past. She was creating content for various publications within Media24 when AutoTrader nabbed her for good, and is one of the longest-standing members of the AutoTrader team. She prefers dirt roads to tar and SUVs/bakkies to sports cars, but her greatest passion is helping people find the perfect car for their budget, lifestyle, and personality. View News & Reviews