Towing with a car
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1. 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:
-
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.
2. Towing weight and width limits
Most cars have a maximum weight they can tow. It鈥檚 usually listed in the handbook or specification sheet.
Alternatively the vehicle鈥檚 鈥榞ross train weight鈥� may be listed on the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate on the car. This is normally under the bonnet or inside the driver鈥檚 door.
The gross train weight is the weight of the fully-loaded car plus fully-loaded trailer and must not be exceeded.
If your VIN plate does not list a train weight, you should not use your vehicle for towing.
Maximum width
The maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres.
Maximum length
If your vehicle鈥檚 maximum authorised mass (MAM) is 3,500kg or less, you cannot tow a trailer that鈥檚 longer than 7 metres.
If your vehicle鈥檚 MAM is more than 3,500kg then the maximum lengths are:
- 12 metres for the trailer towed by the vehicle
- 18 metres for the vehicle and trailer combined
- 3.05 metres for how far the load can overhang the back of the trailer (whatever the length of the trailer is)
Maximum lengths do not include the A-frame (the frame that connects your car to the trailer).
3. Trailers, caravans and towing equipment
The equipment you use with your trailer or caravan must:
- meet certain safety standards
- be used correctly
You can be fined up to 拢2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
Carry out safety checks to make sure you鈥檙e using the trailer and equipment legally.
Towing bars
If you get a tow bar for your car, it needs to be 鈥榯ype approved鈥�. This means it meets EU regulations and is designed for your car.
Type-approved tow bars have a label with:
- an approval number
- details of the vehicles it鈥檚 approved for
If your car was first used before 1 August 1998, your tow bar does not need to be type-approved.
Towing mirrors
You must have an adequate view of the road behind you.
Fit suitable towing mirrors if your trailer or caravan is wider than the rear of your car.
You can be fined up to 拢1,000 and get 3 penalty points for towing without proper towing mirrors.
Trailer or caravan brakes
Your trailer must have a working brake system if it weighs over 750kg when it鈥檚 loaded.
Some smaller trailers also have brakes, but these are optional.
Any brakes must be in good working order.
You must use a breakaway cable or secondary coupling in case the trailer becomes detached from your car. Carry out safety checks.
Number plates
You must display the same number plate on your trailer as on your towing car.
If you tow more than one trailer at a time, fix the number plate to the trailer at the back.
4. Towing an American caravan or trailer
American trailers and caravans do not always meet European safety regulations.
If you want to use an American caravan or trailer in the UK or the EU, you must first check that it鈥檚 legal.
Read more about brakes and couplings for American caravans and trailers.