Towing with a car
What you can tow
You can tow trailers up to a certain weight with your car driving licence. The weight you鈥檙e allowed to tow depends on when you got your licence.
You鈥檒l need to know the weight of both the vehicle and trailer - also known as the 鈥榤aximum authorised mass鈥� (MAM).
The MAM is listed in the owner鈥檚 manual and is normally shown on a plate or sticker fitted to the vehicle or trailer.
If you got your licence before 1 January 1997
You can usually drive a vehicle and trailer with a combined weight of up to 8,250kg MAM. View your driving licence information to check.
You鈥檙e also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.
If you got your licence from 1 January 1997
You can tow a trailer that weighs up to 3,500kg MAM. This is known as a 鈥榗ategory BE鈥� vehicle.
Your driving licence information shows which categories of vehicle you鈥檙e allowed to drive. View your driving licence information.
If you do not have 鈥榗ategory BE鈥� on your physical driving licence, DVLA will add this the next time you renew your licence.
Training to tow a trailer
You can get training on how to tow a trailer safely, including caravans or horse boxes.
You can find a training provider or course through:
Check with the provider on the type of training they offer and the cost.
Towing heavier vehicle and trailer combinations
To tow combinations that are heavier than what鈥檚 allowed by your current licence, you need to:
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Apply for a provisional licence for a medium-sized lorry and trailer (category C1+E).
You need to take extra Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) tests if driving the medium-sized lorry is the main part of your job.
Once you鈥檝e done this you can drive vehicles and trailers with a combined weight of up to 12,000kg MAM.