Car trailers for traders: fields of application, models and legal information

Which car trailer or trailer load can be towed depends on your driver’s license. Trailer load is the total weight of the trailer including cargo. The average empty weight of a trailer is 150 kilograms and must be taken into account for the calculation. The exact weight is indicated in the registration document and in the vehicle registration document. The unladen weight is indicated in the vehicle registration document with the number G.

More than every second German holds a class B driving license. This means that combinations (vehicle, trailer and load) of up to 4.25 tonnes can be driven.

With a class B driving license, motor vehicles – in this context also called towing vehicles – up to 3.5 tonnes with trailers of up to 750 kilograms can be driven. For trailers weighing more than 750 kilograms, the total weight of the vehicle, trailer and load must not exceed 3.5 tonnes. With the extension of the B96 license the total weight of the combination increases to 4.25 tonnes. The BE license is the right class for those who want to drive a team of up to 7 tons.

Is the BE license useful for employees and interns?

A BE driving license is always useful if you frequently have to tow larger trailer loads. Unlike the class B license, with the extension of the BE license the towable load can even exceed 750 kilograms. This is often the case when transporting construction machinery. It makes sense for your employees to have a BE driving license for exactly these purposes. If you want to cover the costs, they must be recorded as taxable wages. If you already have a class B license the total cost is between 500 and 700 euros.

Vehicles with large trailers

Not all vehicles are suitable for use with a trailer. First of all, you need a tow bar and the individual towing load must be taken into account. We have now created a selection of vehicles suitable for large towable loads for you.

Too heavy trailer = driving without a license?

To drive a vehicle with a trailer you need the corresponding driving license or an extension. If you drive without an adequate license you commit a serious administrative offense. Driving without a towing license can result in a prison sentence of up to a year. A fine of up to 180 daily rates is also possible. The daily rate depends on your net income. The net amount is divided by thirty, with a daily rate ranging between a minimum of one euro and a maximum of 30,000 euros. With a net income of 3,000 euros the daily rate is 100 euros and the fine can reach a maximum of 18,000 euros.

If the inspection shows that overloading has occurred, a fine may be imposed. In the event of a serious administrative violation (overloading of more than 20%) a point is entered in the Flensburg traffic offender register.

An example: if the towing vehicle weighs 3 tons and you have a class B driving license, the trailer with load can weigh a maximum of 750 kilograms. If you load your trailer (empty weight 200 kilograms) not with the permitted maximum of 550 kilograms of paving stones, but with 680 kilograms, you risk a fine of 35 euros.