A motorist towing a horsebox was issued with fixed charge penalty notice after being stopped by Gardaí.
Roads Policing Unit in Drogheda detected the horsebox drawn at a speed of 135kph on the M1 on Sunday, November 1st.
However, it transpired that the driver did not possess the correct licence for towing the combination in question.
In a tweet, a Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí from the Roads Policing Unit in Drogheda detected this horsebox being drawn at a speed of 135kph on the M1 motorway yesterday.”
“The driver was also in possession of a category B license which is insufficient for towing this combined vehicle and trailer weight. FCPN issued.”
Category BE licence
According to the RSE, a category BE driving licence authorises you to tow a trailer where the combined maximum mass of the towing vehicle and trailer is greater than 3,500kg.
A category B licence does not entitle the holder to tow a horsebox or a livestock trailer because the combined maximum mass would exceed 3,500kg.
The RSA states a category B driving licence authorises you to drive a car, van or 4 x 4 which has a maximum mass (as specified by the manufacturer) of not more than 3,500kg.
Speed limits
The maximum legal speed limit for a vehicle towing a trailer is 80km per hour. This also applies on roads where the posted road sign speed limit is higher.
It will not always be possible to travel at 80km per hour. This is because drivers are always subject to the lowest posted speed sign.
