Towing a caravan or trailer - the safety regulations
Before you set off on a trip with a trailer or caravan, make sure you meet the legal requirements for towing. Check your driving licence and your vehicle and be sure you have the right equipment to be safe on the road.
Check you have the right driving licence
If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary Category B licence, you can drive either of the following:
• a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes (3,500 kilograms) maximum gross weight towing a trailer of up to 750 kilograms maximum gross weight (up to 4,250 kilograms in total)
• a trailer over 750 kilograms maximum gross weight as long as it is no more than the unladen or 'kerb' weight of the towing vehicle (up to 3,500 kilograms in total)
For anything heavier you need to take a Category B + E driving test. The rules are different for drivers who passed their test before 1 January 1997 and have not been banned since. You can find full details by following the link below.
The driving licence you need to tow a caravan or trailer
Know your towing weight and width limits
Most standard cars have a maximum recommended towing weight. It's usually listed in the handbook or specification sheet. You can also find it on the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate on the car.
The VIN plate is usually under the bonnet or inside the driver's door. It will list a maximum vehicle weight and a maximum train weight. The maximum vehicle weight is what the fully loaded car weighs and the train weight is the maximum weight for the car plus a trailer. If your VIN plate doesn't list a train weight, you should not use your vehicle for towing.
Width and length
The width limit for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres. The length limit is 7 metres for a trailer towed by a vehicle weighing up to 3.5 tonnes (3,500 kilograms).
Check your equipment meets safety standards
The equipment you use with your trailer or caravan must meet certain safety standards.
Use a type-approved tow bar
If you get a tow bar for your car, make sure it is type-approved. This means it meets EU regulations and is designed for your car. A type-approved tow bar will have a label with an approval number and details of the vehicles for which it is approved.
If your car was registered before 30 July 1998, your tow bar doesn't need to be type-approved.
Fit towing mirrors if you need them
If your caravan or trailer is wider than the rear of the towing vehicle, you must by law fit suitable towing mirrors. These mirrors are usually 'E-marked' (mirrors with this mark meet EU requirements).
If you're towing blind (without towing mirrors) or using unsuitable mirrors, you can be:
• prosecuted by the police
• given three points on your licence
• fined up to £1,000
Check your trailer brakes
Any trailer weighing over 750 kilograms must have a working brake system. Some smaller trailers also have brakes, although these are optional. Any brakes on a trailer or caravan must be in good working order. If you haven't used the trailer for while, you may need to get the brakes checked and serviced.
Towing a car using an A-frame or dolly
If you attach an A-frame to a car in order to tow it with a larger vehicle, the car plus A-frame counts as a trailer.
If you use a dolly to tow a broken-down vehicle, the dolly counts as a trailer.
In both cases the usual safety regulations for trailers apply.
More useful links:
• The Highway Code for drivers and riders
• Plan your journey
• The driving licence you need to tow a caravan or trailer (motoring section)
Source: DIRECTGOV
