Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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1100. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the towing of car trailers; if he wil outline the regulations regarding same; if there are any new regulations being considered; if an awareness campaign is planned in relation to this; the steps available to persons wishing to comply with these regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27603/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The driver licensing regulations are set out in the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 537 of 2006), as amended. The most recent change to the categories of licences came into effect in January of this year, in accordance with the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 483 of 2011). 

A category B licence covers cars with a trailer where the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer is not greater than 750 kg.  A category B licence with code 106 covers a combination where the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer may exceed 750 kg and where the design gross vehicle weight of drawing vehicle and trailer combined does not exceed 4,250 kg.

A category BE licence entitled the holder to drive a category B and trailer where the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer is not greater than 3,500 kg.

On 12th January 2013, the Road Safety Authority became the driver licensing authority for the country. Further information on licence categories can be obtained from the RSA who are also responsible for public information campaigns in this area.