Towing a Trailer
Whether you are towing a trailer, a horse box, a caravan or a boat, it is imperative that you take special care to ensure the safety of yourself and others.
Who is allowed to tow a trailer?
The ability to tow a caravan or trailer will depend on the type of driving licence you hold. The category entitlement on your driving licence will determine the type of trailer you can tow.
All drivers who passed a car test before 1 January 1997 retain their existing entitlement to tow trailers until their licence expires. This means they are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes maximum authorised mass (MAM).
Drivers who passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 are limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass towing a trailer up to 750 kgs, or a vehicle and trailer combination up to 3.5 tonnes MAM providing the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle. You will need to pass an additional driving test in vehicle categories B+E if you wish to tow a caravan or trailer combination which exceeds these weight limits.
Towing under a provisional licence is NOT acceptable.
Towing Rules
- Always keep to the legal speed limit for the road you are using.
- 30mph limit applies on all roads with street lighting unless signs show otherwise.
- 50mph applies on single carriageways unless signs show otherwise.
- 60mph applies on dual carriageways and motorways provided no lower limit is in force.
- You are not allowed to use the outside lane of a three or more, lane motorway when towing, except where there are lane closures which restrict the lanes to two or less, or when instructed to do so by the Police.
- If you tow a small trailer without brakes, the weight of the trailer is limited to 50% of the kerb weight of the car or 750kg, whichever is less.
- When towing larger trailers that have brakes fitted, the weight of the vehicle should not (as a rule of thumb) exceed 85% of the kerb weight of the towing vehicle.
- Most vehicle manufacturers state the maximum towing limit in their hand books, but you must bear in mind the total weight will increase when you include passengers and luggage
- Assuming that an ordinary car (not a goods vehicle) is the tow vehicle, then the overall length of the trailer, caravan etc. must not exceed 7m, excluding A-frame and hitch (regs 7 & 8 of Road Vehicles Construction and Use Regulations - 1986). The maximum width of the trailer should not exceed 2.3 m.
- It is ILLEGAL to allow passengers to travel inside the trailer, caravan etc. While it is permitted to carry animals in a caravan, this is not recommended.
- Wheels and tyres must be capable of carrying the maximum laden weight of the caravan at the maximum speed limit (this varies throughout Europe). CHECK TYRE PRESSURES REGULARLY.
- ALL trailers, caravans etc. must be fitted with an approved style number plate.
- All trailers on the road during darkness must have the following;
- Two red side lights at the rear
- At least one rear fog light (if the trailer is more than 1.3m wide)
- Two red triangular reflectors
- All lights must be in proper working order, and correctly fitted to your car's electrics.
- An MOT certificate is not currently required for trailers and caravans. However, good practice dictates that regular servicing and maintenance should be carried out as an unroadworthy trailer may invalidate your insurance. A caravan is a road vehicle and therefore requires regular servicing. The braking system, wheels, tyres and lights in particular, all need scrupulous attention.
- Always drive at a speed that is well within your capabilities, and to the road and weather conditions that prevail at the time.
- Before reversing, get out of the vehicle and check that all is clear to the rear before making the manoeuvre.
- Be on the look out for children and pedestrians when reversing. If possible, get someone to watch while the manoeuvre is made. Reversing a trailer is a skill that can be mastered with a little perseverance by anyone who has learned the basic theory. Find somewhere with plenty of space and keep trying until you get it right. It helps to have someone who knows how to do it to tell you where you are going wrong.
- If you are towing a large high sided trailer or caravan you may require extended door mirrors. These will help visibility along both sides of your vehicle and trailer.
- You will need to be aware that the vehicle and trailer will take longer to stop, accelerate and turn than a vehicle on its own.
- Many problems associated with towing a trailer are caused by incorrect loading.
