With accidents involving caravans still a worryingly regular occurrence, and with an ever-increasing number of ‘new’ vanners out in the road, renewed attention has inevitably been focussed on the possible introduction of mandatory training or even special towing licences.
An ABC report warns that untrained and inexperienced towers are a potential hazard to themselves and everyone else on the road.
According to Queensland’s state’s peak motoring body, RACQ, only 4% of fatal crashes in the state between 2017 to 2021 involved a light vehicle towing a trailer or caravan,
However, it told the ABC it strongly supported caravan owners doing more training.
More and more caravans are on the roaad. PIC: Cizza
“If your caravan is overweight, it impacts the way your vehicle handles and can seriously affect your safety behind the wheel,” a spokesperson said. “That’s why we strongly recommend caravan owners undertake training to better understand the dynamics of weight when towing.”
Other organisations, like the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) would also like to see mandatory introduced.
“On the road isn’t the best place to learn the skills that you need to safely travel,” NTRO safer infrastructure leader Emily McLean told the ABC. “Training can actually be really valuable for everybody — from somebody who’s never towed before, through to people who’ve been towing for 20 or even 40 years.”
Ms McLean told the broadcaster that a special licence ‘could be helpful’ for improving road safety.
“Another option might be to have that training as an endorsement on an individual’s licence,” she said. “Any sort of licensing scheme would have to be put in place at the state or territory level, but that doesn’t mean that there can’t be a national agreement or endorsement around what that looks like.”
While the Caravan Clubs of Queensland did not think a special licence was necessary, it said it supported ‘some form of training’ for new owners.
“I think a lot of the problems come about through bad set-ups with cars and caravans,” president Adrian Skinner told the ABC. “The car sags in the back end, or the back of the van sags down, and those two things can induce a sway or instability.”
The ABC understands that the state government is not currently considering any special licences or mandatory training for caravan users.
And Opposition spokesperson for Transport and Main Roads Steve Minnikin told the ABC that he also did not support calls for a special licence, and the LNP wanted to continue to focus on road upgrades and improved maintenance to help reduce the road toll.
Grey nomad opinion on the need for some sort of mandatory training or special towing licence is very much divided.
Traveller, Chris Bayliss, told the Grey Nomads earlier this year that it was pretty clear what had to happen.
“A truck licence is required to drive a vehicle with a mass of over 4.5 tonnes (NSW), yet a car towing a caravan with a combined mass of around six tonnes can be driven with a car licence … in effect, a mini semi-trailer,” he said. “Yes, definitely time to look at a special licence.”
Are you a Grey Nomad member yet? Click here to find out about the discounts, competitions and other benefits on offer
You can’t legislate for common sense without inconvenience the majority and even if you do, will it make any difference to the minority.
All this legislation would do is make a few trainers/service providers richer (Think of the state of the NDIS)
I think an advanced driver training course before you get a drivers licence as a newbie driver would be a good start, regardless of which licence you get. This would set you up to be a safer driver to begin with. I have driven all over the world and can honestly say that Australian drivers are among the worst regardless if you are towing or not.
All for a towing addition to licences (I’m seeing some appalling behaviours recently) but as for advanced driving courses… it depends. Defensive driving courses are a great idea but advanced driving courses teaching skills like how to manage a skid, how to manage high speed manoeuvres etc. have been shown overseas to simply increase hoon behaviours.
Yes a training and safety training program for New Caravaner is a good idea. I think you need to talk with Ken Wilson of ‘Truck Friendly’ he has research this issue and he is very knowledgeable about the safety, and travel, weights of vans and working with Truck Driver’s and the other stuff.
No, I disagree. Just another level of bureaucracy we can do without, and of course there will be a cost which will just go into state govt coffers. In addition I couldn’t see trainers goers being waived.
Once the driver has past the Advanced Driving/Towing course, he or she can then go off and tow legally add Infinium – will the course, be a regular requirement say every year? I note that new car drivers only have to pass one test to go about driving untested until 75 years of age. It would provide another money grab for the Government bureaucracy.
In NSW anyway, as a Standard Car License goes, once you obtain your Open / BLACK Car License, it is at 85 that you then have to undergo a Driving Proficiency TEST / { Either with a Driving School / IN your own Vehicle with an employee Tester form Services NSW ( Vehicle Licencing Department ) which is then a requirement every 2 Years, for the age of 85.
Agree with you , a license doesn’t stop drivers doing stupid things .
Agree, we must remember not to confuse Education with Intelligence. You may have a Diploma, but still be an Idiot!
Yes to both.
I would prefer that caravan manufacturers get it right in what they provide and advise. Weights, tyres, lengths – there is no standard description in what they provide and what you get.
I agree it should be mandatory that caravan sales people have training in regards to the affects of the caravan and towing vehicle weights and it’s distribution so that they are able to legally and correctly in inform potential buyers of the caravan and suitable tow vehicle when making a caravan sale
Spot on van manufacturing has a long way too go when they build in Australia they should know better. But then some bring them in from O/S
Yes, good point John
I am the holder of a heavy combination drivers licence. As part of my working life I have driven trucks on highway and logging roads. Over my adult life I have owned numerous types and sizes of caravans. Prior to my last trip from home in Tasmania to Queensland I had my van and 4wd weighed by the business called Weigh Forward. The result was very pleasing as I was under the maximum permissible weight and loaded correct. I believe that in the event of a licensing requirement being introduced prior experience and compency should be excepted.
Agree totally
Also agree;
Having had the same combo for a long time and recently lowering to an L.R. NSW I feel that prior experience will count for a lot.
have HR licence this side,used tow heavy vehicles before pulling the pin
dive manual 4wd ,have to learn read the road well ahead ,
people use their head when setting up caravan for towing SIMPLE
Agreed Rodger , we know and are more experienced towing heavy loads .
Both would be a good idea, particularly as the size of the average caravan these days is well over 20ft long.
No. There are already regulations for towing.
One thing to have a “regulation’, another for all to comply.
Agreed. Just look at licensed youth doing burnouts and speeding to see that rules do not make a good driver,
Is this training going to be at Tafe or an accredited Training organisation..what exactly are they going to teach them…what accredited cert 3 course would provide the input, and who’s prepared to pay the price..I had accreditation as a car and Hr driver instructor certificate…a trainer cert 4..this all sounds good, but I think we have to stop the manufacturing process of loading these land yachts up so heavy..Question what did a 16 – 18 ft caravan weigh in the sixties and seventies, and what was the prevalent tow vehicle ..in the 60s-70s in Nz had a speed limit of 45 mph and 50 was the max…education is wonderful thing..maybe we need to go back in time…do we need to be here yesterday?????
Truck drivers have special licences and still have accidents without a car or caravan being involved
Just another way to take your money.Someone will introduce a new law and mandatory licence for walking around the block .
You can add another cost for something people are gonna ignore and still pack too much all you are doing is money grabbing, you give people a license for a car knowing the speed limit but still speed and act the fool ,do they sit their license again,it’s human nature too to be a tosser
The only people really interested in extra caravan licence are people who stand to make a lot of money- the stats speak for themself only 4 percent of fatal car accidents involved caravan and that stat did not clarify if the caravan was in the wrong or right-
A lot of general road users just dont like caravans because they go slower than the speed limit holding up cars and some trucks- this same dislike is also shown to bike riders,tractors, drivers who drive below the speed limit. There are also plenty of training courses already available to people who wish to have training on towing caravans. And Finally caravan owners are already watched closely by police and other road authorities. The extra endorsement on the licence will no more deter people from breaking the law as licences do to stop motorists from breaking the law.
Its a no from me . 40 years towing a caravan no accidents or tickets- last note maybe all road uses should have to do a training course on how to drive safley around caravans, bikes and trucks as its the car drivers who do impatientl stunts on the road a lot more than any other road user
Not an issue given that heavy vehicles are limited to 80kmh in europe. They just need to keep to the far left and stop hogging the middle lane or rightmost lane. Prevents undertaking too.
I agree with you what percentage of the 4% were at fault.look at the stats on trucks lately head on,s and nose to tails in fog etc.due care and attention?? So cars must be 90% plus.Us caravanners will pull over when able to safely for all vehicles.more passing lanes would help safety
Caravanners are bloody notorious for suddenly finding another 15kph when they enter an overtaking section. Witnessed this many times on my runs up and down the Bruce HWY. tHESE IDIOTS NEED TO HAVE THEIRE LICENCES TAKEN OFF THEM AND NOT ALLOWED TO TOW AGAIN!!
Only caravanners?
And I thought it was only the idiots in western Australia that did it car drivers are the worst here
Hey DICKO / @!&?< NOT ALL CARAVANERS are as Stupid or Ignorant as you try to make out, It could be that as a lot of the Overtaking Lanes seem to start on an uphill approach, it is necessary to increase speed to to maintain a reasonable speed and NOT hold up other traffic, on the other hand I have experience people in Cars, break the Speed Laws and charge up so a to try and BEAT a Caravan being Towed and even, as one need to get out in a safe Position when approaching the END of an OVERTAKING LANE section of Road Car Drivers will stupidly over Take a Caravaner on the Inside when both vehicles are Close to the END of the Overtaking Lane section of Road.
I agree, I have a15Ft Caravan and have a self imposed Top Speed of 80 / 90 KHP when I am Towing, and I have a general Set List of Items we Load into both our Caravan & the Tow Vehicle, with a Ball Weight Gauge incorporated inn my Tow Ball which when I hitch up automatically shows me my actual Ball Weight then I do a walk around and personally check how my Rig is sitting to ensure we have not inadvertently incorrectly Loaded either or of our Tow Vehicle or our Caravan. this is important for instability when Towing & the self imposed Maximum Speed give me the Time to STOP quickly if need be. another thig I di was to UPGRADE my TOW VEHICLES BRAKES to VENTILATED DISC BRAKES on all 4 WHEELS thus helping to prevent he Brake Discs from OVERHEATING and possibly causing any Brake Fade ETC.
A few times I have found while towing my 20foot caravan. That people towing other caravan’s can’t wait to get to their destination. What’s the bloody hurry you’re on holiday for goodness sake.
I sit on between 90 and 95kph and have had drivers passing me at more than a 100kph
One guy towing a van in Queensland pass me and 30ks up the highway he lost control.
The emergency services just got there. The caravan was a complete wreck and the 4×4 was on its side. What a disaster.
Slow down, pack the weight distribution in your van and tow vehicle and have an enjoyable holiday.
Happy holidays.
Trouble is that many vanners travel to what their speedo says…at 90kph on the speedo many cars are actually doing 85kph. Truckers need to meet deadlines and being stuck behind a van doing 85kph is no joke for any motorist……
Totally agree. I don’t tow a van. I cruise at 95 k ,100k or as conditions dictate & vans pass me like there is no tomorrow
.Should be a towing speed limit as in WA 100k.
The dealers selling the land yachts should be providing all training as part of the sale.
Gary if you check on LINE for every STATE there is a LEGAL SPEED LIMIT for TOWING a CARAVAN as in W.A. in NSW it is 100KPH. that means even if the section of Road / Highway is Signed as 110KPH when Towing a Caravan you can Legally only Tow a Caravan up to 100KPH. & to all the Truckers / and other Motorists, a SIGNED SPEED LIMIT on any ROAD / HIGHWAY in any State /Territory in Australia is simply saying that you can Travel up to the Signed Speed Limit NOT that YOU have to TRAVEL at the SIGHNE SPEED LIMIT.
I agree, SLOW DOWN when Towing, in NSW the SPEED LIMIT for Caravans is 100KPH even if the Signed SPEED LIMIT is 110KPH.
Most people over 50 would fail a driving test driving a car. Most people associate having driven for 30 years makes them a good driver.
Of course there should be a test. I’m 62 and I know I’m not as safe a driver today as I was 20 years ago. I did a caravan course recently and it was of great benefit. You are not as good a driver as you think.
Try telling some of these people that they aren’t as good a driver as they think they are & see what happens. LOL.
Rather a broad statement I think. There are good and bad drivers in all groups and all ages.
Over 50’s in general have much more experience, driving, more commonsense, more maturity, less risk taking.
Many over 50’s have towed caravans, boats etcetera for years.
Where is the evidence, the actual statistics to show that towed caravans are involved in more and more accidents on our roads.
Talking to people and soliciting their “opinions” is one thing, actual evidence of a problem is entirely another.
Those agitating for a special licence to tow a caravan are proposing a solution that is in search of a problem.
At the moment, state governments are showing no interest in further licensing requirements for caravanners. The logistics and cost of such legislation, the impact on hundreds of thousands of Australians, has no doubt kept this issue off their agenda and rightly so.
Dare I say that any problems being experienced on our roads with caravans relates to improper van loading and overloaded tow vehicles.
These are areas that are already receiving lots of attention from authorities. On a positive note, plenty of responsible caravanners are taking it upon themselves to make sure they are not overloaded. A whole industry has sprung up around the weighing of vans and tow vehicles.
Many do care about safety and those that don’t, well, they are in every area of our society and they will continue to exist no matter what legislation we enact.
The statistics show that there are more accidents involving caravans these days because there are more caravans on the roads than there used to be.
Correct. The responsible owners will have their weights done and modify their setup to be within the legal limits. There are people who just do care or do not think that the laws relate to them. No need for a special license. Just weigh everybody’s rigs, the ones that are not correct just fine and put off the road.
The average vanner couldn,t give a fig about weights or loading.
Garry, you have hit the nail on the head. “The responsible owners” do the right thing but there are so many irresponsible owners out there that don’t give a rats arse.
We weigh our van before I start my journey, then i know where I am weight wise.
Greg you must either have your own Vehicle Weighing Scales or plenty of Money to pay out around $300 to $400 before each Trip you do, but how do you get on when you are traveling as unless you carry your Own Scales with you and weigh you Rig each and every day / Time you Stop & Start when Travel, Hmm just an interesting comment
If you use a public weigh bridge in Qld, the cost of obtaining your various weights is $30. If you weigh your van and tow vehicle at the start of your trip you will know your weights and you can adjust your load in the caravan and tow vehicle accordingly. There is no need for daily weight checks unless you totally reorganise your load.
Generally you place most items in the same position for each trip so it is not difficult to ensure you are loaded correctly. After a few trips you should have the confidence of knowing you are correctly loaded. If you are taking additional gear for a coastal trip as opposed to an outback run, spend the $30 to ensure you are within your legal limits. It’s a cheaper alternative to a hefty fine.
The first statistic I noted in the article was the 4% of fatalaties in Qld is caravan related. Now we all know figures can be bounced to suit the argument at hand. My first question is what percentage of ALL vehicles on Qld roads are caravan related? My point is if it’s 6% then deaths are under represented but if the figure is say 2% then the reverse applies. Second point, having spent plenty of time on those Qld roads towing a caravan I’m amazed there isn’t more fatalities. Some so-called highways marked on the map as such are nothing more than narrow one lane black tops to allow farm machinery etc to be re-located. Others are simply non-maintained, pot hole ridden roller coaster rides. All the more shame on various govt & council bodies for that last point.
Now, as for special licences, at first I was extremely sceptical thinking it was just a govt cash grab. Still do in some aspects BUT, having also witnessed many caravanners of all age groups pull into the sizable sales yard I use to work at & then ask staff to back them out of the trouble they got themselves into was a daily occurrence. They simply have no idea of the backing basics. Something needs to be done re the educating of caravanners (not just grey nomads I hastened to add) but is a special licence the answer? On one proviso, govt of all persuasions don’t use it as a cash cow but rather an opportunity to educate drivers. This should perhaps start with the caravan owner themselves seeking advice, RV sale yards providing some basic training & govt bodies or private enterprise picking up the slack with more formal training.
I’m in favour of licence accreditation if the mass weight is 4995+. I run a LWB Coaster which requires an LR licence, it’s made a difference
Strang to read here about the need of SPEACIAL LICENSES to Tow a Caravan, did you all know that this was so in the United Kingdom but now it has been abandoned.
It’s easier to drive a medium rigid than tow a caravan, so either introduce licenses for towing vans, or let people drive a rigid on a car licence.
Phillip, Training may well be the answer, but having a Piece of Paper / Plastic, will NOT STOP the Idiots, the Transport Drivers in Australia have to have a Special License, and Yet there are serious accidents ETC involving Heavy Transport Drivers.
More education and policing of Caravans re Load distribution and Weights and SPEED is hopefully the Answer, but while there is the Human Equation in Vehicles being driven on our Roads & Highways there will always be road ACCIDENTS, if you can answer why Accidents happen on some of our Newest Highways where the Traffic is going the ONEWAY / all the same way well you are better than I.
I agree with training no matter your background in life BUT, the people doing the training must have experience at towing not just someone who’s done a course, too much of that happening now days in any industry someone thinks there experienced because they’ve done a course
Just because you do a driver’s course doesn’t make you any smarter or instil common sense.A lot of very experienced drivers drive to fast, are inconsiderate and have lack of patience and regardless of their driving skill sent still get into serious trouble on the road.
Most of them are to smart for their own good. Slow down, be sensible and load your van correctly.
I’m get my first caravan next June ill be do driver training for my own safety
I think an endorsement by way of a short course is needed, providing these are readily available to everyone. Vans and tow vehicles cost a lot of money. If you can afford the set up and the time to research what you want, then you have the time and money to take a course. Much cheaper than dealing with an accident and not having it insured because it is over weight. I also believe that understanding weights and towing should be part of a regular license. All road users need to understand how to drive around heavy weighted vehicles, not just how to drive them.
I have been towing boats and caravans for 40years never hand any problems it is called common sense which comes with time and the right attitude.
With everything like life it’s all in the balance.
In Queensland we are lucky because we can get free balance and weight checks through van safe it would be fantastic if this was in every state as this alone would make our roads safer at the end of the day safe travels.
Cheers Phil
As someone who has been involved in a crash whilst towing a caravan I can certainly state that some form of formal training as well as compulsory ESC on vans would be a benefit. The van we were towing was brand spanking new and did not come with ESC as standard equipment. At 19.5ft it was a single axle nightmare and was destined to come to grief nearly killing my wife and I. This was an accident that was totally avoidable if the manufacturer had had enough brains to fit ESC as standard. The person driving was a first timer, and would clearly have benefited from some training, especially in an emergency situation. Whilst we are still towing a van even now, we are certainly aware of the risks involved and take appropriate measures to avoid any future occurrences.
Gregory, no matter how may axles you have on a Caravan, in some instances when the Caravan gets the [ as they say: the TAIL WAGING the DOG ] there is a POINT of NO return WHEN this happens not even the famous ESC system will save it.
I agree some people would do well to complete a caravan training session. Especially big rigs. They struggle on roads and trying to get into caravan sights.
The biggest problem in queensland is the other drivers on the road. From p plate drivers to older people. They weave and jam in suddenly. Pull out without looking. We have been driving with a single axle van and had numerous doing stupid things on road especially in queensland. We comment how many accidents we will see in qld each year.
So maybe qld/nsw should have better licencing criteria. HD.
I’m all in for an endorsement on a licence to say you have passed a driving skills course deluvered by an accredited provider.
Too many caravaners with insufficent knowledge of weights and nor do they seem to care.
easy fix change the licence to over 5 tonne gvm to 5t gcm then most combos will need log book and 0% b.a.c
Hmm can’t see that happening soon , anyway a Log Book does not stop the Road Idiots
If you tow over 4.5 tonnes then you should have to have a truck license. Also drop back the speed limit to 80klm/hr as it used to be . Trucks are designed for heavy loads, car’s are not so should be limited .I have been towing caravans for 50yrs.
D B having the TRAILE / CARAVAN TOW SPEED lowered to 80KPH will cause more disgruntled drivers who are NOT TOWING CARAVANS ETC and maybe more accidents , it is simply more EDUCATION by all Drivers on our Roads to be patient and you will all come home safe
Absolutely and the sooner the better. Also100km max speed limit and on a three and two lane road only allowed in the furthest left lane and not the outside right lane.
Not allowed on the right side lane…that will upset many…especially those who find another 15kph in the overtaking sections….
It should not be mandatory and should ve part of the purchase of caravan
There should be a licence classification for caravan owners. Many have driven a car for years then retire buy van and hit the road or buy a van for family holiday, parents and children. The truckng industry has LT MR HR HC and MC. You can’t jump from one truck to another without upgrading your licence. Many 4x4s are really between LT and MR, especially the large american utes which in reality are trucks and should be speed limited anyway. Many new caravaners can’t even reverse a van dont have any idea where they sit on the road. Experience isn’t gained over night but the right training is invaluable. Started driving semis as a 16 year old, 45mph max,(75kmh). Progressed from their to unlimited to limited speed vehicle. No accidents no speeding fines. Experience comes with time training helps. 71 years young. Enjoying my retirement years caravanning.
Mandatory towing training is just another example of the nanny state creeping into private lives. It is not warranted for recreation, only for work requirements. The towing courses I’ve seen on social media channels – done at slow speed in large bitumen areas away from traffic – do little to prepare caravanners for real-world situations such as towing at speed downhill on wet roads, or towing along dirt tracks. It’s a grab for money, nothing more. Common sense should dictate safe towing, and the vast majority of caravanners already do so.
special licence, ONLY IF CAR AND CARAVAN combo are of a CERTAIN waight and LENGTH, AND BOTH HAVE TO HAVE THE PROPPER SPRINGS & SWAY BARS.??
Not every vehicle/van combo will function well with anti-sway bars. They have even been known to cause drawbars to snap !!!
I think those who choose to spend the money to get rigs professionally weighed, and make any adjustments if needed, should get cheaper insurance or rego. Also those who choose to pay for a towing coarse should get some kind of compensation or incentive for doing so.
I consider a truck licence should be applicable as the combined weight exceeds a car licence. Its not about some people making lots of money it’s about increased safety for all road users. When we got a caravan my wife insisted that she do a course before towing the van as she had little experience with that combination of weight even though she has towed the 6×4 a lot.
How hard would it be to check a caravan purchaser’s past driving experience and if needed, introduce a further test for those applying to register a caravan to ensure they are competent?
It could be similar to the motorcycle rider’s test, when a rider needs a motor bike endorsement on his car licence..
No need to do a blanket requirement for every driver who already owns a caravan with enough experience.
The problem with these ideas is they too often just become a money maker for governments with no benefit for anyone.
There are plenty of people like myself who have been towing boats, (7.5m), caravans (10m) and many different trailers, all without incident for well over 30 years so I wouldn’t think myself or people like me would require any further training but for beginners, sure.
I caravanned around Australia for 20 years and there are two points to my comment.
Yes absolutely as long as it isn’t a money grab thing n done properly in every state the same as each other so there is not confusion from one state to another some people think they can handle it just try a box trailer first with a blown tyre n times in by five at least trust me your honing to be very scared !!!
I support training but think that initially overweight rigs should be policed.
I know my weight but regularly see similar set-ups with added boats, trailer snd outboards. They’ve got to be way over.
It’s only for our own good.
I think it might be helpful – we went from small pop top to heavy hybred which concerned me when I towed it the 1st time. Mind you I have watched YouTube videos about swaying and understand now what I can (and do) do to minimise this. Yes we also made sure we had our car snd van weighed down we know about what we are towing and made sure we modified our car to better control the van. Should we gave a license – I think we should. I know this will cost more but at least we will have had some form of training rather than ducking and seeing as I feel a few are doing.
Yes, absolutely a training program and license requirement should be mandatory for all newbies and people with less than 5 years experience in towing a caravan.
I would certainly support targeted education / advertising campaigns for those towing caravans and the like. Providing more information around the need to ensure correct weighing of caravans and tow vehicles would also help. I appreciate this costs around the $350 or so however that cost (for understanding how weight distribution works and practical help in actually packing your van and tow vehicle to ensure weights are correct and legal) can be life saving and also ensure you are fully insured in the event of an accident. Maybe insurance companies could subsidise the cost of professional weighing of tow vehicles and vans. I also agree that the caravan industry should be made to provide more accurate and honest information on the weight of new vans which sometimes can vary significantly from the plated data.
I certainly dont class myself as an expert when it comes to weight distribution and towing but after a recent caravanning trips to the Southwest and taking note of car/van setups, there is certainly a lot of travellers out there with very little knowledge of Vehicle Setup and Towing.
So very many obviously overloaded rigs
There is no way I want more govt red tape and more licences. Govt need to put more $$$$ into making better roads. All the millions they collect from speed cameras everywhere, needs to be put back into road infrastructure.
So who is going to do the mandatory training? No doubt it would be a government run program managed by bloated bureaucrats on $1m a year! No thanks! More common sense driving, correct loading of caravans and better roads will go a long way to reducing roll overs.
Just a way of getting more money from us, I was trained in the Army to tow trailers 4hrs) and it has helped a little, but would not want to see it as compulsory.
Absolutely agree that a towing course should be mandatory – and that an endorsement should appear on your Driver’s License. After 8 years of full time caravaning we did a towing course in Victoria. We both learned a great deal about both safety on the road, how to confidently manoeuvre our rig and how to communicate clearly. Money very well spent! We are now in our 11th year of full time travel and have recently acquired a CB radio – which we are finding invaluable.
Special license’s are a another way to raise revenue by the states, you do the license and then what?
You cant legislate for stupidity by some people who overload vans and cars because some drivers just have no clue what items whey as they load up.
Education is the only key and it must be constantly hammered home with advertising campaigns at every opportunity.
When a caravan has been purchased proof of testing at a recognized course provider should be undertaken to establish if your tugg is suitable and competency obtained.
Yeas. I fully agree with mandatory training and a special licence for towing caravans for all, including beginners and experienced caravaners.
I’ve had an HR or LR heavy vehicle licence since 1974, and began towing vans in 1992. We recently towed our van across the Nullarbor to Melbourne, then toured Victoria before crossing the Nullarbor home.
I would fully participate in heavy vehicle driver training and would like to see a component on road rules for all states, not just WA.
Driver training regarding caravans: No! We have laws coming out of our… and we still die, and regardless of driver training, we will continue to die!