Documentation, driver licensing and administrative requirements
Which licence
- Category B covers a car up to 3,500 kg with a trailer up to 750 kg MAM.
- Category BE is required when the trailer's MAM exceeds 750 kg; under BE the trailer may go to 3,500 kg and the combination may exceed 3,500 kg.
- Croatia also applies the B96 code: a B licence with code 96 permits a combination above 3,500 kg only with a trailer over 750 kg and a total no greater than 4,250 kg.
- Minimum age is 18; the BE test includes a practical drive with the combination.
Papers on the road
- Valid driving licence with the correct category.
- Trailer registration certificate (prometna dozvola) and its own plates; the trailer is registered as a separate vehicle.
- Compulsory third-party insurance for the trailer, valid technical inspection, and the car's documents.
- A retro-fitted coupling must be entered in the car's registration; unregistered modifications can jeopardise insurance cover.
Worked example
Car MAM 2,000 kg, trailer MAM 1,400 kg. Total 3,400 kg - still within B, because B allows a combination up to 3,500 kg with a trailer over 750 kg. Fit a 1,600 kg trailer instead: total 3,600 kg and trailer over 750 kg - now you need BE, or B96 if the total stayed at or below 4,250 kg.
Traps that cost marks
Driving a 3,600 kg combination on a plain B licence; assuming the car's policy automatically covers the trailer; letting the trailer's inspection lapse; forgetting the licence must be carried.