Trailers: Which Driving License Do You Need?
A miscalculated combination weight can cost you up to 50,000 CZK and your license for two years. And all it takes is adding two numbers from your vehicle registration. Every year, thousands of Czechs buy a trailer, caravan, or horse transporter — only to discover they don't have the right license for it.
This guide will show you exactly what you can tow with just a category B license, when you need the B96 extension, and when you need a full B+E license. We'll cover the rules, course prices, exam procedures, and safety principles for driving with a trailer. Everything is up to date for 2026, based on Czech law and data from driving schools on Kvalty.cz.
Quick summary:
- With a category B license, you can tow a trailer over 750 kg as long as the total combination doesn't exceed 3,500 kg — most drivers don't know this
- B96 takes just a few hours and costs 3,500–8,000 CZK — no written tests, only a practical exam
- B+E covers combinations up to 7,000 kg and requires a full course costing 7,000–15,000 CZK
- Driving with a trailer without the right license = fine of 25,000–50,000 CZK + driving ban + 4 penalty points
Trailer License in Numbers
Before you dive into the individual chapters, here are the numbers that frame the entire system. Three categories, three weight limits, and three price levels — that's all there is to it.
Trailers — Category Overview
| Detail | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Categories for trailers | 3 (B, B96, B+E) | §80a of Act No. 361/2000 Coll. |
| Max. combination with category B | 3,500 kg | With a braked trailer over 750 kg |
| Max. combination with B96 | 4,250 kg | Trailer over 750 kg |
| Max. combination with B+E | 7,000 kg | Trailer up to 3,500 kg |
| B96 course price | 3,500–8,000 CZK | + 700 CZK administrative fee |
| B+E course price | 7,000–15,000 CZK | + 700 CZK administrative fee |
| Minimum age | 18 years | For B, B96, and B+E |
| Fine for driving without license | 25,000–50,000 CZK | + driving ban 12–24 months |
How to Figure Out Which Category You Need
The entire system hinges on one number — MAM, the Maximum Authorized Mass. You'll find it in your vehicle registration document under field F.1, for both the car and the trailer. Add the two numbers together and the result tells you which category you need. It doesn't matter how much the trailer is actually carrying. The law uses the MAM from the registration, not the actual load weight.
Let's look at some examples. You have a car with a MAM of 2,200 kg and a small garden trailer with a MAM of 500 kg. Total: 2,700 kg — category B is enough. Now imagine you hitch a boat trailer with a MAM of 1,200 kg instead. The combination is 3,400 kg — still within the 3,500 kg limit for category B.
But a slightly heavier trailer changes everything. An SUV with a MAM of 2,300 kg and a larger boat trailer with a MAM of 1,500 kg add up to 3,800 kg. That's over the category B limit but under 4,250 kg — you need B96. And if you get a large horse transporter with a MAM of 2,000 kg and a car with a MAM of 2,500 kg, the total of 4,500 kg requires a full B+E license.
Watch out for the 750 kg myth
Many people believe you can't tow anything heavier than 750 kg with a category B license. That's not true. The 750 kg limit applies to unbraked trailers without further conditions. You can tow a braked trailer over 750 kg — as long as the total MAM of the combination doesn't exceed 3,500 kg. Learn more in the chapter What Can You Tow Without an Extension.
Three Categories — Three Levels
The whole system follows a simple logic. The heavier the combination, the more the law demands from you. Category B is the baseline you already have from driving school. B96 is a quick and cheap extension. B+E is a full course with both theory and a practical exam.
With category B, you can tow an unbraked trailer up to 750 kg without further conditions. And if the trailer has its own brakes, you can tow it even over 750 kg — but the total MAM of the combination must not exceed 3,500 kg (§80a of Act No. 361/2000 Coll.). For most people with a small utility trailer or a lightweight motorcycle trailer, this is more than enough. Details and example calculations are in the chapter What Can You Tow Without an Extension.
B96 is the extension for combinations with a total MAM of 3,500–4,250 kg. And here's the good news: you don't need any written tests. All it takes is a supplementary practical driving exam. Driving schools offer 2–4 preparatory driving lessons, the entire process takes 1–3 weeks, and you'll pay 3,500–8,000 CZK plus a 700 CZK administrative fee. B96 is the typical choice for owners of mid-size caravans, boat trailers, and smaller horse transporters. Everything about getting B96 is in the chapter Category B96.
B+E is the full license. With it, you can tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500 kg — meaning the combination can weigh up to 7,000 kg. Training includes 6 hours of theory and at least 8 hours of practical driving. The exam covers both theory and driving, including coupling and uncoupling the trailer. The course costs 7,000–15,000 CZK. You'll need B+E for large caravans, heavy horse transporters, and boat trailers. The full guide is in the chapter Category B+E.
Who This Guide Is For
This page is a starting point. Each chapter focuses on one specific topic so you don't have to read through things that don't apply to you. You can read them in order as a story, or jump straight to what you need.
What Can You Tow Without an Extension
Most drivers don't know that with a category B license, you can tow a trailer over 750 kg — as long as the total combination doesn't exceed 3,500 kg. Here you'll learn how to calculate your combination weight and when category B is enough.
Category B96
Get B96 in just a few hours and for a few thousand crowns — no written tests, only a practical exam. Ideal for mid-size caravans, boat trailers, and smaller horse transporters.
Category B+E
With B+E, you can tow trailers up to 3,500 kg — combinations up to 7 tons. For large caravans, heavy transporters, and boats. A full course with theory, practice, and an exam.
Caravans and Motorhomes
Find out which license you need for your caravan or motorhome. Overview by weight, parking rules, and the upcoming EU directive that will change the limits.
Towing Boats, Horses, Motorcycles
Transporting a boat, horse, or motorcycle? Which trailer and license you need, insurance costs, and what to watch out for.
Towing Safety
How to load a trailer properly, prevent swaying, follow speed limits, and what to do when the combination starts behaving erratically.
Find a driving school with B96 or B+E courses
On Kvalty.cz you'll find driving schools offering B96 and B+E courses in your area — with reviews, prices, and comparisons. Filter by city and course type so you know what to expect before you call.
Summary
- With a category B license, you can tow a trailer over 750 kg if the total MAM doesn't exceed 3,500 kg
- B96 is the quickest and cheapest extension — practical exam only, no tests, 3,500–8,000 CZK
- B+E covers combinations up to 7,000 kg — full course with theory and practice for 7,000–15,000 CZK
- What matters is the MAM from the registration, not the actual load weight
- Driving without the right license means a fine of up to 50,000 CZK, a driving ban, and 4 points
- An EU directive may raise the category B limit to 4,250 kg from 2027–2029
Key Terms
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| MAM (Maximum Authorized Mass) | The maximum weight of a vehicle or trailer from the registration document (field F.1) — the number that determines which category you need |
| Category B | Standard driving license — combinations up to 3,500 kg with a braked trailer, or trailer up to 750 kg without restrictions |
| B96 (harmonized code 96) | Extension of category B for combinations of 3,500–4,250 kg — practical exam only, no written tests |
| B+E | Full trailer license for trailers up to 3,500 kg — combinations up to 7,000 kg, full course and exam |
| Braked trailer (O2) | Trailer with its own braking system — mandatory for trailers over 750 kg |
| Unbraked trailer (O1) | Trailer without brakes — maximum MAM 750 kg |
| Actual mass | The real weight of the loaded vehicle at a given moment — not used for licensing; the law uses MAM |
| Administrative fee | 700 CZK for the exam + 200 CZK for license issuance |
| Supplementary exam | Practical driving exam only (B96) — no theory, no written tests |
| Tongue weight | The weight the trailer pushes down on the towbar — should be 5–7% of the trailer's total weight |