Call for compulsory caravan licence

The Caravan Council of Australia (CCA) is calling on regulators as well as insurers to make it mandatory for all caravanners to pass a safety training course before hitting the road.

In its latest push to improve road safety for caravanners, the recently-formed CCA is also proposing a towing licence should be compulsory for some people, before even attempting to hitch up a 'van.

“Due to the number of accidents and nasty incidents involving caravans on our roads, it seems that some drivers will need a ‘Caravan/Trailer-Endorsed’ licence in the not-too-distant future,” said CCA founder Colin Young.

“It is believed that endorsed licences will become mandatory, at least in some jurisdictions, if the ATM rating of the towed vehicle is more than the mass of the tow-vehicle, or if the ATM rating is over 2.0 tonne,” he said.

“We are discussing this major issue with RV insurance companies, and hopefully they will welcome this introduction, and also provide, or approve, suitable training courses - both theoretical and practical tests - in order for their clients to obtain their endorsement. 

“This will no doubt reduce the number of accidents and insurance pay-outs, as well as appreciably reducing the cost of insurance premiums.”

At the very least, the independent body suggests the introduction of a “voluntary education program, in an effort to improve road safety for 'vanners and other road-users”.

Covering such things as tyre ratings and pressures, ball loadings and braking requirements, a theoretical test would “best ensure that drivers have at least a basic understanding of the relevant legal, compliance, and safety issues”.

“Maybe all 'van owners and potential buyers should be provided with a questionnaire to encourage them to test their knowledge on the legal and technical 'van issues related to road safety,” he said.